Recognizing the importance of leadership in our public schools, Governor Perdue recently announced the creation of a new leadership program geared toward turning around rural schools in northeastern North Carolina.  The Northeast Leadership Academy (NELA) will allow a group of 25 teachers and central office staff from school districts in Bertie, Hertford, Northampton, Halifax, Roanoke Rapids, Weldon City and Warren to earn a Masters degree in School Administration.
 
“Training and retaining new leaders at North Carolina’s most underperforming school districts is crucial for the success of the students who live there,” said Gov. Perdue.  “NELA will provide pathways to not only develop 21st century school leaders, but to also keep them in these districts.”

Data from our state’s Teacher Working Conditions survey proves that this focus on leaders is critical to having strong schools.  As part of their work, the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals (NCPAPA) association is also working to enhance school leadership.  As part of NCPAPA’s work, Executive Director Shirley Prince and Wake County Principal Muriel Summers are developing a program called Distinguished Leadership in Practice .  This program, sponsored by NCPAPA, the Department of Public Instruction and Learn NC, will further enhance the leadership skills of talented principals from across the state.  The North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), a nonprofit consortium of business leaders in Governor Perdue’s office, has partnered with Dr. Prince and Ms. Summers in this effort.  NCBCE member companies hosted principals in their workplaces as part of the new program.  

Following the principals’ visits to businesses, I was invited to hear the debrief about what they learned and it was powerful!   I heard lessons learned about the importance of a mission and values that are not just hung on the wall but rather worn proudly as part of an ID badge.   Other comments included:  the importance of behaviors that are tied to values and observable; the value of communication skills; keeping the customer first; having a culture/system that decreases the likelihood of mistakes; leadership participation in new employee events/orientation; recognizing staff for outstanding work; the power of leaders to change business culture; difficulty in motivating employees when there is failure to reach a goal.   This is a sample of what I heard today…….we’ll be working with the NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association to further enhance this Distinguished Leadership effort.

It is clear that there is great value to connecting education leaders with business leaders to discuss challenges found in every organization.  While there are differences in the issues, many of the valuable leadership qualities found in effective business leaders transfer to school leaders.  And conversations between business and education stakeholders always yield better understanding of the processes, culture and skills needed in both venues.  

Tricia Willoughby
Executive Director
NCBCE
www.ncbce.org