Why did you choose Principal Corps, as opposed to other principal preparation programs?
When selecting a principal prepartion program, I was searching for one that would allow me to complete an internship and earn a master's degree in Educational Leadership simultaneously. Principal Corps provide multiple aspects other programs did not offer. one of the most appealing factors was the full-year internship, which offered hands-on experience while taking coursework.
Other programs did not offer the same level of expereince and training I believed to be most beneficial to me as an educator as I was seeking professional growth and ways to advance my career.
I was familiziarized with Principal Corps through a previous cohort member who completed a portion of her internship at the school in which I was teaching. I had come to a crossroads in my educational career in regards to what I would do next.
I asked myself, "What are the next steps? Which areas do I need to grow? Am I ready to serve in an administrative role? And, how do I get there?"
I was able to answer all the questions except the latter. Principal Corps sent on of its veiwbooks to my school, and the rest is history. I immediately began the process of applying for the Principal Corps program. I was determined to be accepted, and when I was, Principal Corps changed my entire life, not only as an educator but also as a teacher.
Can you explain how Principal Corps’ curriculum prepared you for your first administrative role after completing the program?
Throughout the Principal Corps (PC) program, my cohort members and I learned so much about the ins and outs of administration.
We were consistently taught about the necessity of being intentional and purposeful as leaders, and we were required to have a sense of urgency. We were pushed to our limits, at times. We were forced to rely on one another, prioritize meticulously, perform at a level of excellence, and be prepared to handle anything.
Mediocrity was not an option, and as our amazing director Dr. Burnham reminded us numerous times, hope was not a strategy. Therefore, planning was a must. The PC curriculum and internship built a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. What I learned through the program served as my lifeline when I entered my first administrative role immediately after completing PC.
I am almost certain I would not have survived my first principalship (and even now) had it not been for the invaluable knowledge, skills, and experiences I gained through PC.
Principal Corps uses a cohort model. Can you explain what that brought to the experience?
My cohort and I began our Principal Corps (PC) journey during COVID shutdowns, so we called ourselves the COVID Cohort. As our internships started, schools attempted to return to “normal” with new mandates and contingencies in place.
I certainly did not know what to expect, but being part of a cohort provided me with a support group. Having to manage the aftermath of nationwide shutdowns and navigate through new ways of attending class, being a student, serving as an intern, and collaborating with one another posed obstacles but created new learning opportunities no other cohort had experienced.
Though the COVID Cohort’s time with PC did not look the same as all other cohorts, we considered ours to be extraordinary because we were able to be right in the front line of reopening our schools. Being able to discuss and work closely with other cohort members removed some stress from the coursework. However, being able to share our experiences, ask for feedback, and support one another were the most beneficial aspects of PC.
The cohort model is designed to help participants gain knowledge and skills from one another, but being able to build lifelong relationships with fellow corps members is quite special.
Do those relationships with your cohort and other Principal Corps alumni persist after you graduate?
Yes, the relationships with cohort members and other Principal Corps (PC) alumni have continued. Though we do not have constant contact with one another, cohort members are always a text, call, or email away.
We share in our experiences, rejoice in our victories, and seek support when we face adversity. To know others are rooting for me from a distance is such a rewarding feeling to have. There is a sense of pride in knowing I am a part of something great like PC.
No matter where our careers take our cohort members, we will always be a part of the PC family.
What benefits did you gain from the full-time administrative internship?
The benefits of the full-time internship outweighs any knowledge gained from coursework. Though the coursework helps to build fundamental knowledge and skills, the administrative internship prepares Principal Corps participants for what administration really looks like. It provides opportunities for learning and for doing.
Personally, I was able to gain a variety of perspectives, observe various leadership styles, solve issues, make decisions, and actually serve in an administrative capacity as an intern.
Principal Corps is an intense, 13-month program. How were you able to balance all your various responsibilities during that year?
The adage, “Failure to plan is planning to fail” rings true in reference to completing the Principal Corps 13-month program. It requires dedication, sacrifice, strong work ethic, and organizational skills. Personally, I maintained three different planners to help me keep track of all the tasks and assignments.
Looking back at my experience, though it was challenging, completing this program pushed me beyond my limits, required me to plan effectively, and called for me to be fully committed and determined, which in the end, resulted in success. All the hard work paid off, but I have to give most of the credit to my husband and children as well as my fellow cohort members. With their support and encouragement, I was able to balance coursework, the internship, and daily responsibilities rather well.
What was the best thing about Principal Corps for you?
Because Principal Corps (PC) offers so much, I cannot declare one thing as the best. Ultimately, though, PC has had such a positive impact on my life. It prepared me not just for my first principalship but for my entire professional career. It made me a better educator, created a sense of urgency, and taught me how to be intentional and purposeful in all I do as an administrator.
I will always be grateful for my PC experience, and I contribute much of my success as a leader to the foundation this program laid. Early on, Dr. Burnham told me this program would change my life. I really did not understand the validity of this statement until my first year as a principal. PC made me a stronger leader and more effective educator. But most of all, it prepared me for unimaginable hardships.
Though no program, textbook, or other educational leader can equip anyone for every single scenario, PC developed my skill set, prepared me to endure challenges, and taught me about the importance of building relationships.