• Principal Preparation Program

    The purpose of the Principal Preparation Program will be to provide intense, targeted leadership development for our currently employed, school based Assistant Principals to prepare them for the role of a Principal in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

    Eligibility Requirements

    1) Three years of full time teaching experience.

    2) Current Assistant Principal with two or more years of experience.

    3) Current Principal and Network Support Leader recommendation.

    4) Successful completion of a competitive application and interview process.

     

    All aspects of the program are aligned to the CMSD Leadership Performance Standards Matrix

     

    CMSD Leadership Performance Standards

    Standard 1: Personal Behavior

    Standard 2: Resilience

    Standard 3: Communication

    Standard 4: Equitable Practice

    Standard 5: Student Performance

    Standard 6: Strategic & Situational Problem Solving

    Standard 7: Climate & Culture

    Standard 8: Personal & Professional Learning

    Standard 9: Supervision of non-instructional staff

    Standard 10: Time/Task/Project Management

    Principal Preparation Program members and Mentors also complete mid-year and summative evaluations based on candidates’ progress and readiness for a Principal position.

     

    Professional Readings

    Independent and small group reading activities are designed to develop and enhance leadership skills and create a cohort of working peers who share experiences and best practices.

     

    Cohort Sessions

    Participants are required to attend all monthly cohort sessions during Residency. In-class and independent course topics are presented by experienced District specialists and school-based administrators.

     

    Mentoring

    All Principal Preparation Program participants interact with an experienced Principal Mentor for learning, feedback, coaching, interview experiences and support.

     

     

    portfolio Strategy

    CMSD is Investing in Educators

    • Investing in teacher/educator-led communities of practice, using in-person and digital synchronous and asynchronous technologies
    • Investing in Innovative Learning Accelerator projects which serve as an opportunity to harvest and learn the great innovations from our teachers and other educators
    • Investing in Teacher Leaders in Language Arts and Mathematics Instruction
    • Investing in School-based and District-based leadership supports
    • launching Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training, including a customized module for Cleveland and a post-training action planning module

     

    Program Structure

    • Program onboarding-Summer orientation meetings (2 days)
    • Yearlong Residency w/ bi-weekly sessions
    • 6-8 participants

    Program Assessments

    • Journal Assignments
    • Progress Monitoring
    • Change Project
    • Teacher Observations
    • Mid-Year Presentation
    • Facilitating Adult Learning / PTM
    • Observations & Feedback

    Program Completion Expectations

    • Mastery of job-embedded competencies aligned to the CMSD Leadership Performance Standards
    • Timely submission of all coursework at a mastery level
    • Successful mid-year presentation 
    • Recommendation of Principal Mentor, and Principal Preparation Program Staff

     

     

    Areas of focus include but are not limited to:

    • CMSD Strategic Priorities: Profile of a Graduate, Equity & Inclusion, Blended Learning, Performance Matters
    • Communication
    • Leadership Stance and Resilience
    • Time Management
    • Reflection & Self-Assessment
    • Equity & Inclusion
    • Data Informed Decision-Making
    • Post-pandemic vision: Leading in person & remote instruction
    • Complex Academic Tasks
    • Instruction: Teacher Effectiveness
    • Change Process
    • Cultivating and Sustaining Relationships w/ Staff, CTU Chair & Central Office Personnel
    • Leveraging the Administrative Team
    • Family & Community Engagement
    • Self-Care
    • Coaching Teachers
    • Hard Conversations

     

    Disclaimer

    Principal Preparation Program
    1. Participation in the Principal Preparation Program does not guarantee a school leader position.
    2. Compensation is not provided for participation in the program.

     

    Contact Information

    Tianna Ferguson
    Educator: Principal Coach
    East Professional Development Center
    1349 East 79th Street
    Cleveland, Ohio 44103
    216-838-6991 - Office