University of Richmond leadership education program for local school administrators concludes third year with Hargreaves presentation
July 5, 2007
University of Richmond's Center for Leadership in Education concluded its third, year-long Next Generation Leadership Academy for local school administrators June 27.
The final session, a book discussion by Andy Hargreaves, author of "Sustainable Leadership" and the Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education at Boston College's Lynch School of Education, focused on the changing nature of leadership in K-12 schools and the seven principles of sustainable school leadership-depth, length, breadth, justice, diversity, resourcefulness and conservation.
Fifty-six assistant principals from Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield and Richmond public school districts completed the nine-month leadership education program, which included eight sessions at the university plus other components in the respective school systems.
"Despite being from different school districts, the participants came together and bonded over the course of the year," said Tom Shields, center director. "The academy is one of the few opportunities for regional cooperation on such an important topic as school leadership."
The various sessions featured university faculty and outside speakers on such topics as what leadership is, group dynamics and leadership, organizational culture, ethics and leadership, equity and race in schools, and communication and leadership. Participants spent mornings hearing faculty presentations and then met afternoons to discuss how to apply those lessons to their school districts.
The center is a partnership between the university's Jepson School of Leadership Studies and School of Continuing Studies.
"The credit goes to the local school divisions, who realized that they needed a program to help develop the next set of educational administrators who can take on future leadership roles," said Shields. "It is also a great regional program that allows everyone to learn from each other and realize that through cooperation the Richmond area is better able to solve problems in education."