Chittenden Central Supervisory Union

Leadership Development Institute

3 UVM Graduate Credits

CCSU’s Leadership Development Institute is the second of CCSU’s efforts to develop a deeper, more diverse pool of highly qualified teacher leaders to lead curricular, instructional, assessment, professional learning, and other educational initiatives in today’s complex public schools.  Distributing school leadership by creating greater leadership density within schools and across the supervisory union is critical to both continuous improvement and sustaining leadership.

This year, we will create a pilot model for a special strand of SDI that will support a cohort of identified teacher leaders and provide professional learning and project-based “practicums” using the Backwards Design (Wiggins and McTighe) model that will provide the experience and knowledge to grow in their current leadership roles, or move into greater school leadership positions.

Leadership action-research programs that are grounded in real school problems provide a tremendous service to schools working on many complex initiatives as they close the gap between vision and current realities. Teacher learning opportunities continue to need theory and a research-base, and it is equally important that CCSU’s on-site professional programs provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to be instructional leaders in times of great change in our public schools.

As a result of the redesign of TAP (TAAP) to include a leadership strand for administrative licensure (ALP), the timing is right to develop a “partnership” that may pave the way into that program for teachers who may be thinking about administration, as well as provide greater increased learning opportunities for teachers who want to lateralize their growth as teachers by becoming teacher leaders. This year, a maximum of 15 teachers will be selected to participate in the first LDI.

In times of great change and educational reform, schools need strong, experienced school leaders who have a vision for teaching and learning that is focused on continuous school improvement toward identified goals and equity for all students.  It is our hope that the LDI will be a “first step” in improving the skills of today’s teacher leaders and tomorrow’s school leaders.

LEADERSHIP INQUIRY:

The quality of the school-based models of effective leadership is the most important factor in the success of this program. We are hoping all administrators will be willing to make room at their schools for aspiring leaders and their action research projects and support them by creating space for participants to lead meaningfully.

SEMINAR:

The monthly Thursday Leadership Seminar is an important component of the LDI program.  There will be one scheduled seminar each month on a Thursday, beginning in October.  Participants will receive copies of articles, current books/publications about leadership, and assignments for the year.  During the first seminar, participants will develop a focus for their projects using Backwards Design. Subsequent seminars will feature strategies and support for participants with their projects. The project's professional development stipend will assist participants in furthering their professional learning. Projects should be based on real problems and how the leadership participant, in collaboration with others, can effect measurable change toward identified outcomes.

ccsu

51 Park Street
Essex Junction, VT 05452
(802) 879-5579