School Leaders
The Institute for School Innovation (ISI) offers professional development for educational leaders who are moving their schools beyond the standard textbook-oriented instructional system. Various opportunities are available for principals, assistant principals, site coaches, and district coordinators including:
Individual coaching and peer mentoring
ISI staff and experienced CHILD principals will meet on-site to support and coach school leaders. Opportunities to visit successful schools for a walk-through with peer mentoring are also available.
Summer Institute
The CHILD Summer Institute brings together innovative leaders for a variety of breakout sessions conducted by experienced CHILD principals and ISI staff. Diverse topics such as “Outside the Box Scheduling” and “Motivating Reluctant Teachers to Change” encourage provocative discussion and sharing ideas.
Conference leadership tracks and focus groups
The Annual CHILD Conference includes a special leadership track with breakout sessions conducted by national experts on leadership to promote innovation and change. ISI also hosts a pre-conference leadership summit and leadership dinner for fellowship and networking.
Workshops
School leaders are included and encouraged to attend the CHILD implementation workshop and follow-up workshop for teachers. Becoming informed about innovative instructional models is essential to being an effective leader who can move a faculty beyond the status quo.
Coordinator Retreats
ISI conducts an annual retreat for CHILD District Coordinators and ISI staff. These retreats focus on team-building and developing effective leadership skills.
Leadership Guide
ISI has developed a Leadership Guide for CHILD educators that serves as a how-to manual. It addresses nuts and bolts implementation strategies, as well as guidelines for becoming a successful innovation leader. Topics include:
- Understanding the CHILD Instructional System
- Getting Started
- Increasing Academic Achievement
- Quality Control
- Communicating with Stakeholders
- Sustaining Innovation
- Characteristics of Effective Leaders. Click here for a sample chapter.
Leadership Grants
The Institute provides start-up grants to fund a CHILD District Coordinator for districts with at least 90 CHILD classrooms. The District Coordinator also receives training and support from the Institute. Click here for a job description.