Leadership: An Evolving Vision

July 8–July 15, 2009

In a highly interactive environment, principals refine their leadership and management skills and revitalize their personal vision of leadership. Through plenary sessions, group discussions and personal reflection, participants connect theory to practice in an effort to improve individual, group and organizational performance within the context of their school.

The program provides tools and strategies to become more adaptive and responsive to constantly changing school environments. It helps participants assess the effectiveness of their leadership styles and strengthen their skills and abilities so they are poised to meet current and future challenges.

Who Should Attend
The institute is designed for the experienced principals looking to refine their leadership skills and revitalize their personal vision of educational excellence.

Benefits of Attending

By participating, you will:

• Manage schools and districts entrepreneurially, expanding public and private partnerships and networks

• Discover new techniques and technologies for implementing sustainable change

• Learn strategies for leading instruction through an era of public accountability

• Examine effective leadership styles and practices in the context of organizational change

• Use interim assessments to improve teaching and learning

• Respond to the expectations of a wide variety of stakeholders
  
  
• Explore learning approaches based on the latest mind, brain and education research

Format
Leadership: An Evolving Vision includes a variety of teaching and learning formats to ensure that participants derive the maximum benefit from their interactions with faculty and with each other. The institute is designed as an intensive and rigorous learning environment, therefore, we recommend that participants come prepared to commit themselves to the goals of the Institute.

Large Group Presentations
In these sessions Harvard faculty and educational leaders, known for their work in school leadership and school improvement, engage participants in challenging and provocative perspectives on key Institute themes.

Process Groups
In ongoing small group sessions facilitated by Institute faculty, you will have the opportunity to react to readings and speakers, discuss the implications of presentations, establish networks and learn to model a spirit of collegiality that is supportive of professional growth.

Independent Reading
Prior to arrival in Cambridge, participants receive pre-institute materials that include required readings for the first few days of the Institute. At registration the remainder of assigned readings are handed out. The readings address specific institute themes from the perspectives of researchers and practitioners. It is expected that all assigned articles will be read prior to each day’s session.

Team Building
You will spend time participating in experiential workshops. In every activity, you and your fellow participants discover new modes of leadership, decision making, creative problem solving and further develop critical skills needed for creating and sustaining strong leadership teams.

2009 Faculty

Christopher Dede
Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies, Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE)

Richard Elmore
Gregory R. Anrig Professor of Educational Leadership, HGSE

Kurt Fischer
Director, Mind, Brain and Education Program; Professor of Education, HGSE

James Honan
Senior Lecturer on Education, HGSE

Robert Kegan
William and Miriam Meehan Professor in Adult Learning and Professional Development, HGSE

Norman Kunc & Emma Van der Klift
Consultants, Axis Consultation

Karen Mapp
Lecturer on Education, HGSE

Kim Marshall
Leadership Coach, New Leaders for New Schools

Katherine Merseth
Senior Lecturer on Education; Director, Teacher Education Program, HGSE

Irma Tyler-Wood
Managing Partner and Founding Member, ThoughtBridge

General Information

Environment
Participants have access to an array of academic, cultural, social and other resources while at Harvard University.

Harvard Square, adjacent to the classroom, offers a unique collection of bookstores, specialty shops, coffee houses and restaurants catering to a variety of tastes and styles.

Downtown Boston—a short distance away by subway—is rich in historic and cultural significance and offers museums, art galleries, sporting events, dining, dance, theater and music.

Application Information
Applicants are responsible for submitting a supplemental essay with their online application.

Admission decisions are mailed three weeks after complete application materials have been submitted.

Participants will be selected based upon the match between their stated objectives and the goals of the Institute. To maximize the learning experience, the Institute aims to bring together as diverse a group as possible.

Program Fee
The comprehensive program fee of $3,450 includes all sessions, instructional materials, refreshments, special events, 66 professional development points and a one-year membership to The Principals' Center.

Group Registrations
If you are attending as part of a group or team, you will be asked to identify your group name during registration. In order to help us best serve your group, please try to use the same identifier as your teammates, e.g. “Cambridge High School Group,” or “Essex County Group,” or “John Harvard’s Cambridge Team.”

Please note that we are unable to offer group discounts.

We ask that changes to group participant lists take place at least two weeks prior to the start date of the program. If individual or team replacements are made within 14 days of the program start date, PPE may not be able to incorporate these changes into some or all of the program materials. We will make our best effort to incorporate requested changes where possible.

Accommodations
Blocks of rooms for each institute are reserved at local hotels which are a short walk from campus.

Participants also have the option to stay at a Harvard undergraduate dormitory on a first come, first-served basis.

Travel and hotel accommodations are the responsibility of the individual participant.

Detailed information regarding accommodation options is provided to all admitted participants.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be submitted via fax or email. Full refunds will be given up to 30 days prior to the start of the program. Due to program demand and pre-institute preparations, cancellations received 29–14 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of 10% of the program tuition. Cancellations received within 13 days prior to the start of the program and no-shows are subject to the full program tuition. Please note: Cancellation fees are based upon the date the written request is received.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education reserves the right to cancel the program at its discretion. In the unlikely case of program cancellation, the school is not responsible for non-refundable travel arrangements or other planning costs incurred.

Further Information
Contact 617-495-1825• principals@gse.harvard.edu.