FLATWOODS, W.Va. — New principals from around the state are getting some help from some old pros. The West Virginia Center for Professional Development is hosting it’s annual Principals’ Leadership Academy this week in Flatwoods.
Emily Papadopoulous, director of WVCPD’s Principal Programs, said the 125 participants are learning the basics of the transition from the classroom into the front office.
“They’re going to hear from a lot of different folks over the next two days and over the course of the year on issues like school finance, school law, special education, customer service, using data. It’s those types of topics that will make them a better leader,” according to Papadopoulous.
The principals will meet for two more, two day sessions throughout the school year. They’ll be completing an online book study together as well as individual data projects that deal with their schools. The new principals will also be able to share resources, talk shop and exchange ideas of things that have worked at their schools and what hasn’t.
Most of the principals attending the academy are first-timers. They’ve never been in the leadership position before. For some, they’ve been principals in other states but are required by West Virginia to take part in the PLA. Papadopoulous said each face their own challenges but they can all learn from each other.
“They’ve made a big change and they can use as much support as possible,” she explained.
The new principals will also be teamed up with mentors, current principals that they can call on when they have questions or problems. The mentors are sounding boards.
“We hope that we’ve connected them with a resource that will serve them well over the course of the year and from what we hear, over the course of their career.”
Papadopoulous said principals who have gone through the program in years past tend to keep in touch with their mentors for years to come.