Most everyone agrees that sustainable school improvement will not happen unless we sharpen our focus on instructional leadership. Researchers and practitioners agree that we need now, more than ever, leadership that promotes research-based instructional strategies that actually work at the school and classroom level.

Most building principals are charged with the responsibility to supervise the instructional program that is delivered in their schools; but how does the principal determine which specific instructional strategies teachers can and will actually use in their classrooms?

Last year, LAPDA developed and launched the first iteration of the Principal’s Toolkit Workshop Series as part of a broader leadership development initiative. This year we have refined the Toolkit workshop series again and we will now offer fewer strands (three) but in more depth.

The three workshop strand leaders are highly respected professionals with expertise in both content and pedagogy. Each presenter was selected because they understand and respect the unique instructional leadership role the principal must play within their school. Each workshop session will include a facilitated dialogue session with the presenter and the “Cohort Group” to extend the ideas discussed in the presentation and to discuss implementation strategies. Each workshop strand (math, writing, science) will be very useful for teams of Instructional leaders comprised of the principal, teacher leaders, mentors or teacher peer coaches.

The math and writing “Toolkit Strands” will begin in late October. The science strand will begin in January 2009. All Toolkit workshop strands are open to Elementary or Middle School Principals and their instructional leadership teams. Principals are strongly encouraged to bring a team of two or three lead teachers with them. Participants must attend all three workshops for the strand they select. Each workshop session runs from 8:30 to 3:30PM in the LAPDA Meeting Space, 250 Main Street, Montpelier. Lunch will be provided.

To view the full flyer and class descriptions, click here.

To register for a strand, or multiple strands, click here.