NYCLA’s Foundations of Principal Supervision (FPS) program is designed to assist districts from across the country focused on improving principal supervision and support. Now recruiting participants for its second cohort, FPS offers extensive training, peer networking, and support to participants – all with the goal of strengthening the leadership skills necessary for effectiveness.
We recently spoke with Peggy Goodman, Assistant Superintendent for Gwinnett County Public Schools and a member of FPS Cohort One, about her experience in this yearlong program.
Q: What components or activities from the program pushed your thinking and skills the most?
A: When I attended the Summer Institute, I had just been appointed as a principal supervisor. FPS opened the door for me into this new world and grounded my thinking and practice in a set of standards that were designed for my specific work. I benefitted by participating with members of my team and using NYCLA’s principal supervisor standards to think about what my role would be and how my team and I would work together to improve schools and support principals in Gwinnett County.
Q: What differentiates FPS from other trainings you’ve participated in the past?
A: FPS stands apart because every day we come together is superbly planned and active all day. Every component was developed with the participants in mind and is differentiated based on level of expertise and experience.
Irma Zardoya, NYCLA’s President & CEO, also attended some of the sessions during the Summer Institute. She was right there in the trenches with everyone.
Q: What would you describe as the benefits of learning with other principal supervisors from districts across the country?
A: I greatly appreciate hearing my fellow program participants’ perspectives and approaches on doing this critical work. Being a newly appointed principal supervisor, the chance to tap into the vast experience and knowledge of my more seasoned peers has proven invaluable. I think back on many of the discussions from the Summer Institute as I do my work today. In some way, the conversations are even more meaningful now that I’ve been in this role for several months.
Q: How have you applied your learnings in FPS to your day-to-day work?
A: We are using NYCLA’s principal supervisor standards to inform the development of our district standards for this important role. Additionally, NYCLA’s coaching strategies underpin my interactions with Gwinnett County principals. I use NYCLA’s FPS facilitator approach as the model for my work every day.
Q: What is one piece of advice that you would give the next cohort of FPS participants?
A: Embrace the experience and learn as much as you can. Always think about how to connect the learning with your authentic, real life work.
Contact us for more information on program components, pricing, or to enroll participants from your district.