Soak Up the Sun With PD

Communicator
June 2017, Volume 40, Issue 10

Summer vacation is not only a break for students, it is also a time for educators to take a mental break and focus on areas of improvement to apply to the upcoming school year. Whether it’s your first year or if you’re a seasoned principal, summer professional development can help to grow your leadership skills.

Survey highlights from the June 2017 Rise & Shine indicates most new principals are planning some form of professional summer enrichment, with 81 percent reading books or articles related to the field and 63 percent preparing to attend a district-provided opportunity.

So while you’re lying on the beach, soaking up the summer sun, take some time to check out these top summer learning opportunities for school leaders.

Top 5 Summer Learning Opportunities

1. National Principal Conference

NAESP and NASSP have teamed up to present the National Principals Conference (NPC) on July 9-July 11, 2017 in Philadelphia. This is the first-ever joint conference for Pre-K through grade 12 school leaders. NPC will give you three days of authentic collaboration—leading to a deep understanding of the issues your peers face and how you can work together to shape the trajectory for student success.

For more information visit: http://www.principalsconference.org/.

2. Mentor Training

NAESP’s National Principal Mentor Training and Certification Program offers a highly structured professional development program designed to create a cadre of mentors whose expertise is channeled to support school leaders. The training program integrates research-based best practices with participants’ knowledge and experiences. The program can be customized according to a school district’s specific needs.

For more information visit: https://www.naesp.org/mentor.

3. EdCamp Foundation

Free, organic, participant-driven, un-conferences that empower educators to maximize professional learning experiences and peer networks. Edcamps are un-conferences. Topics for sessions are determined by participants at the event, where conversation and collaboration are paramount.

For more information check EdCamp Foundation website for opportunities in your state.

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4. Online Resources

  • NAESP’s National Principal Resource Center (NPRC) is committed to providing you with the best professional resources you need to be successful with your teachers, parents, and students. The NPRC helps principals stay on top of the latest trends by offering an array of books, webinars, and hot topic research articles.
  • Future Ready Schools helps district leaders plan and implement personalized, research-based digital learning strategies so all students can achieve their full potential.
  • lead4ward provides services to support the work of teachers and leaders as they transform learning for students. lead4ward anticipates and integrates the changing needs of schools, maintaining a focus of professional learning, engaging instruction, and meaningful assessment.
  • The Break Through Coach is an educational training and consulting firm that supports school administrators to be transformational leaders who achieve student success in a sensible workweek.

5. Additional Reading

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Copyright © 2017. National Association of Elementary School Principals. No part of the articles in NAESP magazines, newsletters, or website may be reproduced in any medium without the permission of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. For more information, view NAESP’s reprint policy.