The Urban School Leaders Fellowship
The Foundation’s research uncovered that by 2014, half of the current principals leading the 92 public schools in Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford will retire, and there are few qualified, local candidates to take their place.
At stake: the education and futures of 60,000 children already facing one of the largest achievement gaps in the nation.
No other philanthropic entity or nonprofit organization was focusing on this important issue.
Creating a Partnership
To turn this crisis into an opportunity, in 2007 the Fairfield County Community Foundation brought together the four school districts, the Connecticut Center for School Change, and the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education to design a program that trains a new generation of superb urban school principals.
While good teachers are crucial, it’s the school principal who establishes the vision for the school, creates its culture and is the instructional leader. It’s the principal who inspires teachers and staff to excel, recruits parents and the community to help children succeed, and nurtures an environment where children feel safe and can reach their potential.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the Urban School Leaders Fellowship was created with the goal of training at least 60 qualified, committed and impassioned future principals to lead public schools in Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford.
The one-year Fellowship program augments academic preparation. One program graduate said, “In grad school I learned how to run a school on a day-to-day operation. This program taught me about the need to become a transformational leader.” Another said, “This program gave me a greater grounding in my role as a principal than my Ph.D. did.”
Learn more in our School Leadership Matters report.
Results to Date
As of June 2010, 63 Fellows have graduated. As of September 2010, 13 have been promoted to positions of school principal, assistant principal and other leadership roles.
Next steps: An Alumni Support Program brings graduates together four times a year to discuss topics of their choosing and bring problems to the table. In addition, the Foundation is developing a three-year mentoring program for graduates in new school leadership positions.
How you can Help Make a tax deductible, secure online donation to the Fund for Academic Excellence.
Gifts to this fund support our education grants, as well as the Urban School Leaders Fellowship.
To make a contribution by mail or fax, or for more information, contact Juanita T. James, President & CEO, at 203.750.3200.
|
