New Visions in Leadership Academy
Today’s principals and assistant principals must be leaders in business, human resources, and instruction who motivate teachers and students to new levels of success. Beyond traditional training programs offered by universities and school districts, Houston A+ Challenge offers a unique blend of leadership development that focuses on building and sustaining support for whole-school improvement.
More than 200 seated school leaders from Houston-area K-12 districts have graduated from Houston A+ Challenge’s two-year New Visions in Leadership Academy since 1999. Elementary, middle and high school leaders from Houston area school districts participate.
Sitting principals and vice principals meet in groups to develop their leadership styles, discuss common problems and solutions in change management, and learn new techniques for helping teachers reach and inspire today’s students.
School leaders began their Academy training with a three-day summer institute emphasizing team building and visioning. Participants utilize 360 evaluations to develop and implement leadership improvement plans, meet monthly as a cohort with leadership coaches and participate in four more multi-day leadership retreats over two years.
Fellows also attend small-group seminars with Academy alumni and national recognized authors and speakers; in 2006-07, these included Tony Wagner (co-director of Harvard University’s Change Leadership Group), Michael Fullan (renowned author of Turnaround Leadership) and Grant Wiggins (author of Understanding by Design).
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