Leadership Development

HCPSS is committed to supporting its leaders, whether they are just beginning their leadership journey or have been serving as leaders for many years. Through its Office of Leadership Development, HCPSS offers professional learning experiences and programs to enhance leaders’ skills, knowledge, and confidence, empowering them to be effective in their leadership roles.

Jump to: Aspiring Leaders | Emerging Leaders | Practicing Leaders | Customized Support | More Information |

Aspiring Leader Initiatives

The following offerings are designed for individuals who are aspiring for a new leadership position:

• Aspiring Administrator Seminars: designed for individuals aspiring to be a Principal, Assistant Principal (AP) or Athletics Activities Manager in HCPSS. The seminars provide information on administrator positions, the application and interview process, hiring timeline, resume and cover letter writing, strategies and practice. These sessions are available for both internal and external candidates.
• Aspiring Principal Academy Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Course : designed exclusively for assistant principals aspiring to move into a principal position. Based on the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, participants will learn about key actions they can take to become an effective principal in Howard County.
• School-Based Leadership Cohorts: designed to enhance teacher leaders’ leadership skills and provide job-embedded leadership development and growth experiences. This two-year program provides school-based leaders an opportunity to learn about their own leadership style while learning effective methods of leading others.
• Principal and Assistant Principal Pool Professional Learning Program: offers members of the Assistant Principal and Principal pool the opportunity to continue to develop professionally through experiences with the Division of Schools and the Office of Leadership Development.

Emerging Leader Initiatives

The following offerings are designed for leaders in year 1 or 2 of the same leadership position:

• New Instructional Team Leader (ITL) Training: provides new ITLs with knowledge and skills to help prepare them for leading their teams throughout the school year.
• Assistant Principal/Leadership Intern Cohort: a research-based, two-year program assists new Assistant Principals in developing as highly effective Assistant Principals and begins the preparation for the Principal role. The program includes New Assistant Principal/Leadership Intern meetings, Professional Learning Team meetings, as well as an assistant principal/intern mentor and a leadership mentor. The second year focuses on job-specific leadership skills. The program is aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders and focuses on job-specific responsibilities and leadership competencies.
• New Principal Cohort: a two-year experience supporting first- and second-year Principals as they transition to the Principal role. The program consists of New Principal Meetings, a new principal mentor, as well as school visits from the Office of Leadership Development and the Division of Schools.

Practicing Leader Initiatives

The following offerings are designed for leaders beyond year 2 in the same leadership position:

• Administrator Professional Development: consists of sessions focused on developing leadership skills, knowledge, and attitudes in the context of the HCPSS Strategic Plan.
• Leadership Fellows: a yearlong professional development opportunity designed to enhance leadership skills, knowledge, and attitudes in the context of the HCPSS Strategic Plan. This program is open to Principals, Assistant Principals, and Central Office leaders. Participants are given a professional coach for the year to enhance their learning and implementation of a systemic project.
• Principal/AP/Leadership Intern Meetings: provide professional development on job-specific responsibilities and current issues related to their specific leadership roles.
• Wellbeing CPD courses: two 3-credit (45-hour) courses designed for all staff to enhance their knowledge and habits around individual wellbeing, as well as how to lead your schools and offices in wellbeing.

Customized Support

HCPSS provides customized leadership development support on such topics as vision, mission and goal setting, wellbeing, team building, team effectiveness, and equity.

For More Information

For more information on HCPSS’ leadership development programs and initiatives, contact Scott Ruehl, Director of Leadership Development, at 410-313-5642 or scott_ruehl@hcpss.org.