Principals’ Leadership Academy of Arizona

The PLAA supports new and aspiring principals in Arizona as they lead their communities to excellence and prepare their students for success in the 21st century.

Upon completion of AEF’s Principals’ Leadership Academy, principals will have an enhanced understanding and ability to apply professional practice, concepts, and values in learning, leadership, and policy.

History & Overview

PLAA was founded in response to a shared belief by the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF), Argosy University and numerous public school districts in Arizona that aspiring, assistant and 1st & 2nd year principals will benefit from and become stronger leaders of 21st century schools through a leadership training program that includes the following 5 Cs: Cohort, Collegiality, Continuity, Community, and Collaboration. Academy facilitators include University faculty, AEF A+ School of Excellence principals, AEF board members and community experts and leaders. The PLAA participants are mentored by and have direct access to award-winning principals, utilizing them as an ongoing resource at the Academy.

Application and Selection Process

Download the 2012-2013 PLAA application. Applications must be received no later than Friday, August 31, 2012. Cost per participant is $1,000, which includes all texts and necessary materials for the course. Inquire with the Arizona Educational Foundation for possible scholarship opportunities.

Send your (a) application, (b) superintendent’s letter of recommendation, and (c) current resume to:

Arizona Educational Foundation, 6155 E. Indian School Rd., #106, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Or email to: bobbie@azedfoundation.org; or fax to 480-421-9809

Course Credit

Upon completion of the Principals’ Leadership Academy of Arizona, participants will be eligible for six graduate credit hours with concurrent enrollment at Argosy University/Phoenix. Recertification hours will be issued to Academy participants upon completion.

Curriculum Overview

PLAA curriculum is grounded in current research and the ISLLC (Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium) Standards for School Leaders developed by Chief Council of State School Officers. Each participant will complete an A+ School of Excellence application for his/her school during the course of the PLAA as school improvement and self-assessment tools.

Classes and study sessions will focus on an effective educational leader’s ability to:

facilitate the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community;
advocate, nurture, and sustain a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth;
ensure management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment;
collaborate with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources;
act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner;
understand, respond to, and influence the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

What PLAA Participants Say

Schools are in constant change. This academy has provided me with the gift of time and human resources to ensure that I am not reactive to the changes, but rather in control of the changes. I have implemented numerous strategies, developed through continued dialogue with accomplished principals regarding change process, that have proved valuable for me as a leader as well as for my students and staff.

The networking opportunities to discuss common issues and to be able to ask questions in a collegial, non-threatening learning environment have had the most value for me. The mentoring leadership we have been provided cannot be matched. Their shared knowledge, experienced guidance and positive modeling have given me confidence in many of the choices I have made for my school.

Dr. Allison is the most well-educated, informative and entertaining professor I have ever had. The presenters have been wonderful and highly effective. This program has made me look at my school and myself with open eyes to see what we can become.

Specifically the dialogue with Dr. Allison and the mentor administrators has afforded me the opportunity to reflect on the vision, action and collaborations associated with my school. I have been afforded the opportunity to network with community and educational professionals in a systems setting helping me move easily from problem solving to creating.

The resources that have been available to me are outstanding. The experts who shared each week, a personal mentor, time with fellow colleagues and more have all added to my skills and knowledge. I have raised my expectations for myself and my school.

I feel that the Principals Leadership Academy has been very beneficial to my career in many ways already. The level of knowledge and expertise that has been shared with us so far has been phenomenal and priceless. The Academy has been a great tool to help me become a better well-rounded administrator. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings to us!

“The A+ School of Excellence Award is powerful because of the rigorous application and selection process. Hard-earned, specific and public praise provides powerful encouragement and motivation. The staff and communities that produce great schools need and deserve that encouragement and motivation. It keeps them going. Students benefit.”

It has been practical, useful and a once-in-a-career experience.

PLAA has broadened my perspective on the impact that effective leadership can have on a school. Learning the tools of organizational transformation, smart data use, public relations and more, while studying shoulder-to-shoulder with other committed educators, has been a privilege and a unique opportunity. I am very grateful to all who have made this possible.

I have truly enjoyed the interaction with other principals. The guest speakers have been informative and the content useful. Overall, it has been a very positive experience. Ms. O’Boyle has been extremely accommodating and helpful. I really appreciate the extra effort she puts into helping every individual student.

Investing in your own education is a gift to yourself. The people involved in the PLAA are solely focused on helping you achieve. This is a true gift.

This is one class that I did not dread coming to on Saturdays. I actually loved coming! I get really energized when I am in class and excited and motivated to make changes.

"Chandler Unified School District's participation in the Arizona Education Foundation’s A+ program supports our efforts to recognize our employees for their outstanding contribution and brings positive attention to public schools and our community. We have found over the years that the value of self reflection coupled with the outside evaluation not only brings recognition and the accompanying A+ banner but more importantly it validates our school improvement efforts."

The quality of information provided by the administrators of A+ Schools is amazing! There is no other place where you will find such easy access to people on the cutting edge of education.