Project PRE
Project PRE: Partnering to Reform Education
Developing Leader Institute
The Developing Leader Institute was offered to Principals from the twenty Professional Development Schools (PDS) partnered with Indiana State University. Five leadership meetings were held during the first year of the Project PRE Grant with 17 principals from 14 schools attending. Principals with more than three years of experience enhanced their leadership skills through discussions, lectures, and resource materials.
During the meetings, principals discussed actions that needed to occur in their schools to support the transition of the partnership clinical-based Teacher Preparation Program, they focused on developing skills to lead the school renewal in their buildings. As a result of their 1st year training, the principals were given opportunities to serve as clinical faculty with the Leadership Program and mentor coaches during the second year of the the Leadership Program.
During the second grant year, the Developing Leader Institute hosted principals with 3 years or less experience. These principals met separately as well as jointly with the principal group from the first year. Both groups benefited from the selected reading materials such as _________ as well as a group discussion with the author of What Great Teachers do Differently, Todd Whitaker. The Leadership Institute advanced principals with at least three years of administrative experience to heightened levels of instructional leadership.
The first and second year of the Developing Leader Institute was developed and coordinated by the Project Action Coordinator, Dr. Steve Gruenert, Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership Administration, and Foundations; and Dr. Margaret Whitaker, Associate Professor, Elementary and Early Childhood Education both of ISU. In addition, assistance was provided by Dr. Karen Goeller, Deputy Superintendent, Vigo County School Corporation, and Christi Fenton, Principal at DeVaney Elementary School.