Strong Foundations

Matter SYMPOSIUM

2015TOGETHER4CHILDREN

Leadership MattersAPRIL 24, 2015

SUSAN M OFFUTT

A leader is someone you’d choose to follow to a place

you wouldn’t go by yourself.

“”

- Joel Barker

Leadership? Where does it Start?

• 92% of girls believe they can learn the skills to lead

• 21 % believe they already possess them

Girls Scout Research Institute (2008)

The Director’s Multifaceted

Role

Instructional leader Organizational leader Role model Talent developer Data manager Motivator Systems engineer Idea igniter Cheerleader Change agent Chief Example to Others (CEO)

The Director’s Multifaceted

RoleIn the Real

Setting

Counselor Dish washer Bus driver Janitor Teacher Family Service guide Librarian Plumber Know-it-all

What Have We Learned

from Research?

Few directors enter the field with the goal of being a program administrator.

Directors are unprepared for the demands and intensity of the role.

Directors’ formal education is a strong predictor of overall program quality.

Directors with more training are more active as advocates for the early childhood workforce.

The quality of administrative practices impacts the quality of the children’s learning environment.

Teacher Training

• Child Development • Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

(DAP) • Math, science, literacy, • How to set up a classroom• Parent-teacher conferences• Social emotional

Great teachers are not enough. They need to be led and developed by greatPrincipals directors.

Adapted from Will Miller, Wallace Foundation President

Same Universe, Different Realities

Oversee curriculum and assessment

Supervise and evaluate teachers

Manage human resources allocation

Oversee family engagement

Community outreach Manage fiscal matters

Principals

Directors

Oversee curriculum and assessment

Supervise and evaluate teachers

Manage human resources allocation

Oversee family engagement

Community outreach Manage fiscal matters

Similar Jobs

Different Pay, Qualifications

Director Principal

Most states require teaching certification, experience, master’s degree, and ongoing professional development

Many states require special ed coursework and supervisory endorsements

ISLLC, NAESP standards

Principals

Directors

Only 4 states require a degree at any level

Only 5 states require any administration coursework

NAEYC guidelines Less than 66% have a

bachelor’s degree 24 states have a voluntary

director credential Aim4Excellence national

director credential

Qualifications and Standards

Early Childhood

Administrator

Organizational Culture

Teaching Practices

Family Engagement

Direct

Child Outcomes

Indirect

The Early Childhood Administrator’s Influence

Instructional Leadership

“Schools that improve student achievement are more likely to have principals who are strong organizational managers than schools who spend time observing classrooms or directly coaching teachers.”

Kappan Magazine, November 2010

Lead Educators

• Principals• Center and program directors• Family child care providers • Others who work in early childhood settings

Recommendation 8

• Ensure that policies and standards that shape the professional learning of care and education leaders (elementary principals and directors in early care and education settings) encompass the foundational knowledge and competencies needed to support high-quality practices for child development and learning in their organizations.

Knowledge and Competencies

• Practices to help children learn• Assessment of children• Fostering a professional workplace• Assessment of educators • Developing and fostering partnerships• Organizational Development and

Management

Before you are a leader, success is all about growing

yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about

growing others.

“”

- Jack Welch

Professional Development

• Taking Charge of Change• Course work • Coaching

– Change – Adult learning – Motivation – Delegate

Perceived Level of

Competency

.

Leadership and Management Practices

Building a Brighter Future for Children ...

. . .one leader at a time.

For additional

informationThank you

Sue.offutt@nl.edu

847-947-5233

McCormickCenter.nl.edu(Leadership Matters)

Honoring Patricia Ayres

Thanks for All You Do On Behalf of Children and Families