Program in Jackson helps train aspiring principals

The Jackson School District is starting to reap the benefits of a program started two years ago to home-grow its administrators.

Matt Lacy, a social studies teacher recently promoted to assistant principal at the high school, is a product of the program, as is Christa Millham, assistant principal of the middle school. Shauna Criddle, the future principal of Millersville and Gordonville Elementary schools, is enrolled.

Known as the Jackson Aspiring Principals Academy, the year-long program consists of eight sessions held after school. Topics include an overview of district initiatives, No Child Left Behind, building strong teams and data analysis. Those enrolled are required to have or be working toward a valid principal's certificate, as the program is only intended to supplement formal training.

"It's real important for them to know principalship is not just about managing a school building or sitting in your office and dealing with discipline. It is about becoming an instructional leader," said Cynthia Matthew, the principal of West Lane Elementary, who co-heads the sessions with assistant principal Dr. Rita Fisher.

Matthews completed a National Principal Mentoring Certification Program last summer. She and Fisher started the Jackson program to make training more specific to the district. Sessions run from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and feature guest speakers, videos, and three books that discuss discovering your strengths, working as a team, and effective instructional techniques.

"We understand not all are going to be principals. But even if they never become a principal, they have said it made them a better teacher, because they understand the why," Fisher said.

Millham and Criddle said the most beneficial portion of the program was a session focused on special education. "I didn't get a lot of special education [training] through my master's program," Criddle said. She said the program opened her eyes to all the required procedures when referring and evaluating a child for special education.

Altering her mindset to focus on how students are learning, rather than what the teacher is doing, was a hurdle for her, Millham said, but an important one. Participants are trained how to conduct informal walk-through evaluations, where an administrator takes a snapshot inventory on student engagement schoolwide.

"I think a lot of people think as a principal there is too much accountability or what a headache. But we want to say, hey, this can be rewarding and there are resources," Matthew said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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