HCS Leadership Academy

  • As part of Henry County School’s Leadership Division, there are four leadership cohorts designed to coach, develop, and lead current and/or aspiring leaders.  The framework of these cohorts is grounded in the HCS Strategic Plan and embedded in the Leadership Behavior Matrix. The cohorts are structured to ensure interactive seminars, professional development from cross-divisional teams, application and monitoring of specific leadership behaviors, research, and evidence-based practices. These cohorts make up the HCS Leadership Academy, which is a pipeline to many opportunities for aspiring leaders.

    ASPIRE –Additional Support for People Inspired to Reach Excellence

    The purpose of ASPIRE is to identify, select, and prepare teacher leaders from all school levels and entry-level district leaders with knowledge, skills, awareness, and experiences that prepare them for potential positions in schools and district leadership . This cohort includes best practices for instructional leadership that align with the district’s strategic plan, mission, and vision to meet the specific needs of a diverse school system. Within the last four years, twenty-three (23) teachers who entered this program were promoted to the assistant principalship in Henry County, while seven (7) were promoted to district leadership.   In 2021, 95% of participants rated their overall experience and leader growth in this program as 9 or 10. (Scale of 1-10). Applications for ASPIRE are sent to schools in February of each year.  Participants are selected through a rigorous process including application, writing sample, interview, and references. Orientation for each new cohort is held in May with the sessions beginning in August. 

    LEAD – Leadership Enhancement and Development 

    LEAD identifies, selects, and equips assistant principals and district leaders (coordinators) with knowledge and experiences that are necessary to grow the leaders in all capacities: instructional, operational, and civic/community. This cohort includes best practices for instructional leadership that align with the district’s strategic plan, mission, and vision to meet the specific needs of a diverse school system. Participants are expected to implement all new learning/knowledge in their current schools. Over the past four years, eighteen (18) assistant principals who entered this program were promoted to Principals in Henry County. In 2021, 100% of the participants rated their overall experience in this program as 10 (Scale of 1-10). Applications for LEAD are sent to schools in February. Participants are selected through a rigorous process including application, writing sample, interview, and references. Orientation for each new cohort is held in May with the sessions beginning in August. 

    APIP – Assistant Principal Induction Program

    APIP is designed to provide additional support to assistant principals who are serving in their first year in Henry County Schools. The program provides additional insight, practice, and understanding of the district’s Strategic Plan, Core Beliefs & Commitments, leadership levers, and specific school goals. This program offers monthly visits and an assigned mentor. Since 2019, the inaugural year, seventy-two new assistant principals have matriculated through this program.  100% agree or strongly agree that APIP provided the support and guidance needed to transition into their role as an assistant principal. They also noted relationship building, individual support, and “safe space to learn” as major components to the program. APIP begins in July of each year. Each new assistant principal is assigned a veteran assistant principal who serves as a mentor.

    MODEL – Making Opportunities to Develop Educators in Leadership  

    MODEL is designed to provide additional support to new principals in HCS. The program is directly aligned to the Leadership Priorities, current HCS initiatives, and offers group support for new principals, in addition to one-on-one coaching from a retired principal.  Each new principal is assigned a veteran mentor for the first two years.

     

    03/2022