Leader training programme launched for over 30 educators
Several local educators have enrolled in a training programme aimed at strengthening the leadership capacity of present and future school leaders.
The initiative, which commenced in mid-January, is called the Effective Leadership Training Programme and was developed through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the Institute of Education at H Lavity Stoutt Community College.
Education Minister Sharie de Castro said the programme is comprised of face-to-face sessions on topics such as Instructional Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Leading Change and Innovation, Managing Human Resources, and Leading Special Education, among others.
“Modules such as Instructional Leadership will offer insight into the importance of monitoring classroom practice, identifying effective practice and supporting teachers to become experts in the classroom. Leadership requires emotional intelligence and this module provides insight into how leaders should expertly handle the varying personalities that undoubtedly comprise any organisation. The Ministry has secured several local experts in the field of educational leadership to facilitate these three-hour sessions,” de Castro stated while speaking in the House of Assembly recently.
Four newly appointed principals and assistant principals and 30 aspiring principals comprise the cohort of educators who will be trained as part of this initiative.
And as part of the programme, the participants are required to collaborate with other leaders at their school to develop initiatives and programmes to address some of the most pressing needs of these educational facilities.
“This school year the ministry implemented mandatory professional development of 20 hours per teacher each school year. The Effective Leadership Training Programme is yet another avenue to fulfil that professional development requirement and to support teaching and learning in the Virgin Islands,” Minister de Castro explained.
“I look forward to continued collaboration with the Institute and its affiliate universities to continue the Ministry’s mandate of increasing opportunities for training and development of educators in the Virgin Islands,” she added.
Education Minister Sharie de Castro said the programme is comprised of face-to-face sessions on topics such as Instructional Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Leading Change and Innovation, Managing Human Resources, and Leading Special Education, among others.
“Modules such as Instructional Leadership will offer insight into the importance of monitoring classroom practice, identifying effective practice and supporting teachers to become experts in the classroom. Leadership requires emotional intelligence and this module provides insight into how leaders should expertly handle the varying personalities that undoubtedly comprise any organisation. The Ministry has secured several local experts in the field of educational leadership to facilitate these three-hour sessions,” de Castro stated while speaking in the House of Assembly recently.
Four newly appointed principals and assistant principals and 30 aspiring principals comprise the cohort of educators who will be trained as part of this initiative.
And as part of the programme, the participants are required to collaborate with other leaders at their school to develop initiatives and programmes to address some of the most pressing needs of these educational facilities.
“This school year the ministry implemented mandatory professional development of 20 hours per teacher each school year. The Effective Leadership Training Programme is yet another avenue to fulfil that professional development requirement and to support teaching and learning in the Virgin Islands,” Minister de Castro explained.
“I look forward to continued collaboration with the Institute and its affiliate universities to continue the Ministry’s mandate of increasing opportunities for training and development of educators in the Virgin Islands,” she added.
