Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership

Summer 2009

About the Institute
Today's school leaders struggle to balance their roles as instructional leaders with the many other demands of the job. The Art of Leadership provides strategies and guidance on how to establish priorities and build a base of support. Participants learn how to lead and manage change, implement curriculum innovation, and explore successful models for school improvement.

Drawing on successful case studies and best practices, participants explore how school leaders create success for themselves and their schools. In large group presentations and small group discussions, participants explore their own leadership challenges and ways to lead and manage their own school more effectively.

Benefits of Attending

• Explore the school leader's role in managing change
• Apply research and best practices to your own school improvement efforts
• Develop skills and techniques to foster effective communication and team building
• Learn to shape school culture that supports learning for all
• Master a simple and effective process for achieving win-win outcomes for any negotiation
• Develop an understanding of how adult learning and teacher development contribute to school improvement
• Enhance your personal leadership capacity and instructional leadership skills

Who Should Attend

This institute is designed for school leaders in the early years of their careers who feel challenged by today’s imperatives for improved leadership skills and a more focused approach to classroom practices.

Most participants are new or aspiring principals, or educators in leadership roles.

Format

This Institute includes a variety of teaching and learning formats to ensure that participants derive the maximum benefit from their interactions with faculty and with each other. You should expect to be part of an intensive and rigorous learning environment. Therefore, we recommend that you come prepared to commit yourself to the goals of the Institute.

Large Group Presentations
In these sessions, Harvard faculty and educational leaders, known for their work in school leadership and school improvement, engage participants in challenging and provocative perspectives on key institute themes.

Follow-Up Activities
You will have opportunities to practice some of the techniques introduced in the large group sessions and/or scrutinize the ideas and assumptions underlying the presentations.

Process Groups
In ongoing groups facilitated by institute faculty, participants have the opportunity to react to readings and speakers, discuss the implications of presentations, establish networks, and model a spirit of collegiality that is supportive of professional growth.

Reflective Writing
Reflective practice is the cornerstone of professional growth and is an essential part of AOL. You will keep a journal responding to each day’s issues and discussions—reflecting your thinking, experience, beliefs, and expectations. Through writing, you will develop the self-knowledge that supports able leadership.

Independent Reading
Prior to arrival in Cambridge, participants will receive a book list and a pre-institute reading packet that will include required readings for the first few days of the Institute. At registration the remainder of assigned readings will be handed out. The readings will address specific institute themes from the perspectives of researchers and practitioners. It is expected that all assigned articles will be read prior to each day’s session.

Team Building
You will spend a day participating in experiential workshops. In every activity, you and your fellow participants will discover new modes of leadership, decision making, creative problem solving, and further develop critical skills needed for creating strong leadership teams in schools.

2008 Faculty Included

Roland Barth
Founding Director, The Principals’ Center, Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE)

Katherine Boles
Lecturer on Education, HGSE

John Collins
CEO, Collins Education Associates

Hunter Gehlbach
Assistant Professor of Education, HGSE

James Honan
Senior Lecturer on Education, HGSE

Jeffrey Howard
Founder and President, The Efficacy Institute

Janice Jackson
Lecturer on Education, Senior Associate for the Executive Education Leadership Program, HGSE

Robert Kegan
William and Mirium Meehan Professor in Adult Learning and Professional Development, HGSE

Kim Marshall
Leadership Coach, New Leaders for New Schools

Pamela Mason
Director, Language and Literacy Program, Lecturer on Education, HGSE

Lorraine Monroe
Founder and Executive Director, The Lorraine Monroe Leadership Institute

Lee Teitel
Lecturer on Education, HGSE

General Information
Application Information
Participants will be selected based upon the match between their stated objectives and the goals of the Institute. To maximize the learning experience, the Institute aims to bring together as diverse a group as possible.

Fees and Financial Aid
The comprehensive program fee includes all sessions, instructional materials, special events, 66 professional development points and a one-year membership to The Principals' Center. Payment (or a purchase order) must be received within 30 days of admission.

Payment and Cancellation Policy
The Harvard Graduate School of Education reserves the right to change faculty or cancel the program at its discretion. In the unlikely case of program changes, the school is not responsible for non-refundable travel arrangements or other planning costs incurred.

Further Information
If you have any questions about your application please contact Michael Hammitt at 617-495-1825 or principals@gse.harvard.edu.