UNION PRESIDENT SPEAKS
The Value of Quality Professional Development
By Ernest Logan
All good leaders know there are many factors that aid in their success. However, there are two factors that play a major role in how successful a school leader will be. The first is the leader’s ability to stay relevant in an ever changing world. The second is a highly qualified, dedicated and reliable staff. School leaders in particular must continue to develop their craft. They must stay up-to-date on technological advances and the latest improvements in teaching, learning and instruction.
The world of supervision as we know it is changing before our very eyes. Principals, assistant principals and other supervisors, now, more so than before are asked to be accountants, data analysts, human resource managers, mediators and psychologists, in addition to being educators. Instructional leaders who are working everyday to make a difference know they must adapt in-order to provide the highest quality education. Great school leaders know that the learning process never ends and understand the value of continued professional development
At CSA, we also understand the value of quality professional development and training. That’s why we established the Executive Leadership Institute. ELI, a not-for-profit organization established on 2001 has been offering practical, relevant and essential professional development for New York City school leaders for six years. The intent of the various programs is to support and provide standards-based, high quality, results-driven leadership opportunities.
The Executive Leadership Institute provides nuts and bolts workshops for first year assistant principals, as well as refresher courses for experienced assistant principals, principals, day care directors and assistant directors. At ELI, we believe that you’re never too experienced to learn something new, and we encourage all participants to move up to the next level of leadership. To date, ELI has provided professional development support of 3,786 assistant principals, of whom 460 have continued on to be principals.
I say all of this to encourage you to keep learning. Continued professional development allows school leaders to refine their skills, interact with colleagues and exchange ideas and experiences with administrators from around the city. It is also important that you as school leaders encourage your staff to attend professional development. A well-rounded staff with up-to-date knowledge of curriculum, technology and instruction can take their students and school beyond borders.#
