Research has established that among school factors influencing learning, leadership is second only to instruction (Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004). There are Five Key Practices of Effective Principals as identified by this Wallace Foundation research:
• Shaping a vision of academic success for all students
• Creating a climate hospitable to education
• Cultivating leadership in others
• Improving instruction
• Managing people, data, and processes to foster school improvement
ESU 10 is committed to providing high quality professional learning for building principals as they are instrumental to the effectiveness of schools. Annually, ESU 10 designs professional learning opportunities for regional PK-12 building principals that align to the Five Key Practices of Effective Principals and the Nebraska Principal Performance Framework. Opportunities include:
• Training in instructional strategies and providing feedback
• Updates on State, Federal, and ESU Initiatives
• Opportunities for sharing and collaboration with peer administrators
• Guest panels/speakers highlighting examples of best practice
• Dialogue and problem solving concerning current and emerging educational trends
• Book studies
Leithwood, K., Louis, K. S., Anderson, S., & Wahlstrom, K. (2004). How leadership influences student learning. New York: The Wallace Foundation.