Leadership is critical to transforming school environments so that students and teachers can flourish, especially in an era of rapid change. From the adoption of Common Core Standards and high stakes testing to emerging technologies and the use of social media, learning leaders are needed to navigate these changes.

Why Choose School Building Leadership?

Leadership in education is a changing role. The school building leadership program responds to changing global, social, economic and educational trends to train leaders in the education field. It produces exceptional school leaders that are collaborative, principle-centered and lifelong learners.

The advanced certificate in school building leadership program is designed to help education professionals who already have a master’s degree to meet the New York State (NYS) certification eligibility requirements. All courses in the program for school leaders are based on proven leadership principles, concepts and promoted by New York State and new professional standards for education leaders. You will contribute your experience and learn from others.

Practical Leadership Skills

Each class includes a broad spectrum of learners. Diversity in knowledge and skill level allows participants to develop real-world leadership skills. As a school building leadership participant, you may begin courses at any point in the sequence, which enables participants to practice skills that are necessary in any school, such as:

Integrating new staff into the culture and belief system of the school.
Learning from colleagues whose knowledge and experience offer valuable “slices of reality”
Welcoming participants regardless of prior knowledge, experience or position of authority/leadership. This encourages diversity and a variety of perceptions and experiences.
Recognizing that everyone as a resource. Participants come to class with their own experience, knowledge, skills, dispositions, a world view and a frame of reference.

What Will You Learn?

You will develop the knowledge, skills and disposition to create a supportive and progressive educational environment. As a school building leadership participant, you will:

Gain confidence as an administrator, supervisor and educator.
Develop your self-leadership and collaborative skills.
Showcase learning in periodic performance reviews and completion of course and program requirements.
Meet eligibility requirements to become qualified through New York State (NYS) certification.

What Will You Do?

When you graduate, you will be prepared to assume the roles such as assistant principal, department chairperson, coordinator or unit head.

Jobs for School Building Leadership Professionals

Careers of interest for school building leadership students include the following.

Superintendent
College professor
School administrator