Schooling Aspiring Principals in Clark

This from the Winchester Sun:

Clark County Schools Superintendent Elaine Farris has had many mentors as she has progressed through the educational system at the school, district and state level.

Because of that, she said, she knows the importance of grooming individuals who are looking to move up and someday become administrators...

Farris started an Aspiring Principals Cadre this year for individuals within the school system who want to someday become principals.

Ten teachers and district personnel responded to her call and have been meeting with Farris, Barbara Disney, a former principal and Providence Elementary School principal Brenda Considine once a month since August.

One of their first tasks was to review the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISSLC) standards for school administrators, then assess where they were on those standards and create a professional growth plan to work toward...

“Principals are no longer building managers. The ones who are more instructionally focused and have the expertise and knowledge and can improve student performance are the ones who are being hired now,” Farris said.

The training and experience the class members are gaining will serve them well whether they decide to go on and become a principal or not, Farris said.

“I don’t care whether it’s high school, middle or elementary school, being a principal in the 21st century is a tough job. Maybe some of them might decide after this that they don’t want to be a principal,” Farris said. “But when these individuals go back into their schools and have developed these skills, even if they don’t become principals, they can take those leadership skills and that perspective back to their schools and be even better leaders in their buildings.” ...