Principal’s Leadership Academy
Case Statement
Background. When Dr. Boyd Dressler came to MSU in the fall of 1998 from Colorado, he brought with him the idea of leadership academies for school principals and superintendents. While he was in Colorado, Boyd had extensive experience with the academies facilitated through the Tointon Institute for Change housed at the University of Northern Colorado. After a series of discussions with faculty in the graduate programs in school leadership and a three member team (one faculty member and two Montana principals) attending an academy in Colorado, a decision was made to bring this idea to Montana. A partnership with the Tointon Institute allowed the College to co-host the first principal’s leadership academy in Montana. This academy, attended by 35 principals, was held in June, 1999.
Based on positive feedback from the participants in the first academy, a decision was made to plan and implement a series of leadership academies in Montana. Our ability to move forward on this decision was predicated on finding dollars to help off-set the cost of these academies. While participants do pay a registration fee, the amount only partially covers the total cost of an academy.
Through a connection with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant to the state of Montana which promotes developing leadership through the use of technology in schools, monies were made available to support a second principal’s leadership academy. This academy was held in June of 2001 with 22 participants.
Purpose. The purpose of the academies is to provide participants (principals, superintendents and other school leadership personnel) with an opportunity to enhance the knowledge and skills necessary for effective leadership in a time of challenge and change for Montana schools. The academy format is intended to provide intensive training over a period of several days in a setting that takes the participants away from the demands and stress of their jobs. This format not only provides participants with a more in-depth opportunity to learn, but helps facilitate a network of school leaders in similar positions from throughout the state.
Future. At present, plans are underway to host a least four leadership academies for each of the next two years, 2002 and 2003. Each year, two of the academies would focus on school principals and two would focus on school superintendents.