SJCSD Leadership Pathways

Learning to Lead (LTL) (Formally Phase 1) – This leadership academy is intended for aspiring school leaders who have completed half of the requirements for either the degree or certificate in Educational Leadership. The focus is to provide an overview of the eight Florida Educational Leadership Standards (FELS), the role and responsibilities of an Assistant Principal, resume building, interviewing and becoming familiar the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program and serving as a Local Educational Authority (LEA).  Participants will shadow their school’s LEA observing IEP meetings and participate in an internship that follows the yearlong sessions working in a department/Extended School Year location for 80 hours to stretch their leadership knowledge and skills.

Meets monthly from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Aspiring Leaders Academy SJCSD (ALA) – This leadership academy is intended for completers of Learning to Lead (formally Phase I) or candidates that have completed their Educational Leadership Degree and have come from another district or state with leadership experience. The academy is designed to address the gap between Learning to Lead (LTL) and being appointed as an assistant principal or a program specialist in our school district. The selected topics are built around professional practices expected in SJCSD as well as additional training on leadership skills and strategies. Initial topics include, but not limited to, self-reflection on leadership style and practices, the Florida Educational Leadership Standards, ways to get additional experience in the district, problem solving, communication, looking at data, resume building, interview skills, etc. The course is tailored to the needs of the individuals in the class to build their leadership skills to become a future desired candidate to serve as a leader in our school district.

Meets a minimum of twice in the first and second semester.

Assistant Principal Induction 

 
This three-to-five day induction is designed for newly appointed Assistant Principals being held in early June with a focus on high priority topics that will assist the individual(s) in their new role. The first day will include first year Assistant Principal panel to share their experiences and offer advice. Topics to include, but not limited to, the Florida Educational Leadership Standards, Desktop Resources, Negotiated Agreements, Student Code of Conduct, EEE, Curriculum resources, progressive discipline, LEA updates, PLCs, threat assessment, crisis management, and developing working relations with your school-based leadership team.

Assistant Principal Cohort – This cohort is made up of first and second year Assistant Principals. The group meets on topics determined by a survey provided in September. Topics are relevant to the needs of the members of the cohort.  Meetings are face to face and a minimum of once per semester and as determined by the results of the survey on identified topics. Pending topics, there will be face-to-face meetings and may include guest speakers to better understand and to develop a deepen their knowledge on the topic presented.

Principal Preparation Program – (formally phase II)

 
Principal Preparation Program (PPP) – The two-year program is by invitation after an Assistant Principal has served in the role for at least one year. It is an in-depth study of the role of the assistant principal in their journey toward the principalship. The program follows Florida legislation on preparing school leaders for the changing and challenging role of school leader. The SJCSD PPP has been approved by the state auditing team. Over the two-year period the candidate identifies personal leadership knowledge and skills. They develop a deep understanding of the Florida Educational Leadership Standards (FELS), the expectations of each descriptor, where the standards live in their work as an Assistant Principal, evidences to support the understanding and application of the standards and a recognition of which standard they need to focus additional learning to develop their competence and confidence in application of the standard. PPP meets three hours a month for two years. Attendance is mandatory.

Principal Preparation Program-(formally Phase II) Year One – PP1

The first-year content is related to building leadership knowledge through leadership topics to include: Deeping their understanding of the Florida Educational Leadership Standards and where they live in their everyday role as an Assistant Principal, Deliberate Practice, Strengthfinders, Superintendent’s goals and how they align with school’s School Improvement Plan, Desktop Resources, DOE Memos, negotiated agreements, Memorandums of Understanding,  leadership styles, organizational chart, communication, etc. Participants complete a portfolio tied to the FELS and select their topic for their Impact project during year two of the program.

Principal Preparation Program – (formally Phase II) Year Two – PP2

The second-year content is accompanied by district department leaders. Department leadership teams provide the candidate a Deep Dive into the roles and responsibilities of the department and involve them in scenarios or real-life experiences to apply the knowledge shared. In addition, they learn about actionable feedback, progressive discipline, negotiated agreements scenarios, leadership scenarios while developing leadership skills.

In addition, the PPP candidate will meet with the instructors to discuss impact project to discuss the progress and any assistance they may need.

Cohort members are required to attend at least one board meeting, complete an impact project and a portfolio aligned to the FELS (if not completed during PP1). The impact project is focused on an identified problem or challenge at their school. They work closely with their principal to identify a purposeful project that will improve their student achievement, the school culture, induction of new employees, behavior, etc. Data is used to quantify and support the identification of the impact project.

Mentoring New Leaders (formally Phase III) Principal & AP Mentoring – This leadership academy focuses on mentoring new principals and assistant principals by an experienced colleague. The sessions meet through-out the year in a formal setting with individual meetings held at the convenience and need of the mentor/mentee. Meetings are held face-to-face or via TEAMS bimonthly.

Assistant Principal / Principal Support Cohort (Phase IV) Support for New Principals and APs – This leadership academy focuses on sharing the culture, expectations, and select processes of SJCSD for new Principals and Assistant Principals. The content includes a deep dive into the application of practices which effective principals and Assistant Principals use in school leadership. Topics include an overview of the Florida Educational Leadership Standards, distribution of the SJCSD Collaborative notebook, and discussions on ‘hot’ topics including Progressive Discipline, equitable practices, budgeting negotiated agreements, crisis management, threat management and Student Code of Conduct to name a few. Meetings are held face-to-face or via TEAMS once or twice in both the first and second semester.

Sharpening your Leadership Skills

 
These sessions will provide continued leadership training around topics related to school/district culture, strategic planning, facilitative leadership, book studies, the PLC process, evaluation, giving effective feedback, facilitating leadership teams, etc. Sessions will be conducted by SJCSD leaders who have expertise and experience in the content presented. Sessions will be held every other month, with a requirement for current school-based leaders to attend identified topics of their choice while accruing Leadership Points for certification.

Tier I

Offerings are an opportunity for early-career Assistant Principals or Phase I completers to gain additional knowledge and skills for day-to-day leadership. Training focuses on developing skills and behaviors necessary to perform as a highly effective Assistant Principal and Principal in SJCSD.

Tier II

Training continues forward from Level I with additional skill building in various procedures encountered in daily school operations, while developing effective leadership skills.

Tier III

A deeper dive into knowledge of the Florida Educational Leadership Standards with application exercises. This level is recommended for new principals and Assistant Principals who have multiple years of on-the-job experience. This course is built on the foundational components of Level I and II.

Principal Induction

This two-day induction for newly appointed Principals will be held in early June and will focus on top priority topics that will assist the individual in their new role. Topics delivered will be directly related to the role of the principal and topics he/she needs to know to lead their new school.

Topics will be led by principals, directors, and regional superintendents who have areas of expertise and experience in the identified topic.

**Leadership Sessions are still under development with plans to expand offerings during the 2026-2027 school year.