Professional Development Programs for Aspiring School Leaders

Are you being overlooked for a leadership position such as teacher leader, grade or department chair, Assistant Principal?

The University of Delaware’s Delaware Academy for School Leadership is offering 8 learning opportunities to help aspiring school leaders develop leadership skills that will help them market themselves for a leadership position.

ASPIRE is a state-wide program developed for educators who aspire to be school leaders in any leadership role. The program’s cohort design affords participants the opportunity to interact with educators across the state.  A goal of ASPIRE is to create a community of learning where participants can develop professional relationships and strengthen their leadership competencies through personal growth. 

The program utilizes a variety of engaging methods to develop the personal leadership skills, knowledge and courage needed to lead schools. Research proves that people succeed when they focus on what they do best. When they identify their talents and develop them into strengths, people are more productive and engaged and perform better. In order to connect theory and practice, each participant will complete follow-up activities to extend their learning after each session. The ASPIRE participant completes the program with an individualized action plan for their personal leadership development. This program is for educators interested in school level leadership roles and exploring how to transition into these roles and Aspiring leaders committed to personal development; those who are certified and not certified for assistant principal and principal roles. 

Through this program, we will:

• Develop leaders who are self-aware and prepared to transition into school level leadership. 

• Develop leaders who are team builders, committed to bringing out the best in others, receptive to feedback, and capable of having courageous conversations.  

• Create a community of learning where participants can develop professional relationships and strengthen their leadership competencies through personal growth. 

For more information, please contact Chester Cox at cdcox@udel.edu.