Introducing the Wyoming Instructional Leaders' Network
With the implementation of Phase I of accountability starting this year and Phase II (teacher and leader effectiveness) right around the corner, the need for high quality professional development for principals and central office leaders has never been greater.In conjunction with the Center for Educational Leadership and the Wyoming Department of Education, the Wyoming Association of School Administrators is proud to announce the launch of the Wyoming Instructional Leader's Network (WILN) to meet this need for high quality professional development.
What Is the Wyoming Instructional Leaders' Network (WILN) ?Following the groundbreaking research done by the Center for Educational Leadership on how central offices work to support principal development around high quality instruction ( see , the WILN is designed to 1) develop the skills of central office leaders (superintendents, assistant superintendents, curriculum directors) to improve the instructional leadership of their principals 2) develop the skills of principals to improve the quality of instruction in their building.
How will the WILN work?The WILN will meet for four sessions of two days each over the course of the year between late September and March. A central office leader(s) and 2-3 principals will work together as a team over these four sessions. Day 1 will consist of a content session to develop the knowledge base of central office leaders and principals around quality instruction and the skills necessary to improve it across districts and schools. Day 2 will use an Instructional Rounds model in a host district/school to practice what was learned in Day 1. In between work between the central office leader and principals will cap the session so that the sessions are linked across the year for meaningful growth.
Who should be involved?A major purpose of the WILN is to create Instructional Leadership teams focused on improving instruction across a set of schools and a district over time. To begin with teams of 4 people ( 1 central office leader such as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or curriculum director and up to 3 principals) can sign up for the WILN. The team should commit to working together over the course of one year and possibly two to develop the skills necessary to improve instruction at scale. A district may send multiple teams if they wish. Districts may also send just central office leaders with no principals but leaders in this configuration must agree to working with principals back in their district. Principals without a central office leader will not be allowed.
What are the costs involved?Each teams of four from a district will pay a total of $1000 to WASA to become part of the WILN. Single district leaders will pay a total of $500. All other costs for the WILN will be paid for generously by WDE in support of advancing instructional leadership in the state. Travel, lodging and meals are not covered in these costs. All money will be paid to WASA who is the hub organization for this network.
Where will the WILN meet?The WILN will be broken down into four geographical regions: southeast, southwest, northeast and northwest regions based on the current WASA regions. Each meeting will rotate to participating districts in the region. An kickoff meeting for all participating districts will be held in a central location to start the network. If not enough interest is shown in a region, regions may be combined.
When will the WILN meet?Right now we are trying to schedule with the Center for Educational Leadership but roughly we know there will be one statewide kickoff meeting in late September. We would then look at regional dates for the four sessions in October, November, January and late February. Once we know what districts are interested, we will develop a more complete schedule.
We are interested- now what?If you are interested please contact your regional representative listed below and let them know of your interest. This will not fully commit you or your district but will help us gauge the overall interest in the state. A more complete application form will be sent in July once we know of a district's interest.
Southeast- Dave Barker- Superintendent of Platte #
Northeast- Boyd Brown- Assistant Superintendent Campbell #
Northwest- Kevin Mitchell-Superintendent Park
Southwest- James Bailey- Superintendent Uinta # 1
Other questions?If you have other questions please contact James Bailey (r 307-789-7571).