DELAWARE LEADERSHIP PROJECT -
 MEET THE 1st COHORT OF ASPIRING PRINCIPALS!

The introduction of Innovative Schools' human capital initiatives is impacting state-wide discussions about how effective leaders and teachers are prepared. These residency-based, alternative routes to certification programs are contributing to a shift in mindset and practice in Delaware.

After much anticipation, the Delaware Leadership Project (DLP) has selected the first cohort of Aspiring Principals. Out of the 93 applications, seven individuals were accepted into this highly competitive program. The 14 months of training, which includes a mandatory five-week Summer Intensive and a year-long Residency, began the last week of June 2011 and will end in August 2012. During the Summer Intensive, teams of DLP Aspiring Principals work on a series of comprehensive, simulated school projects that reflect the realities of the schools they will soon lead. Each of these teams blends a diversity of experiences, perspectives, personality types, and learning styles enabling the aspiring principals the opportunities to strengthen their interpersonal skills in an environment that mimics the actual rigors of the principalship.

Innovative Schools would like to welcome and congratulate the inaugural Delaware Leadership Project Cohort:

Top row (left to right)

·        Paula Loper

·         Dana S. Ferguson

·         Erin McNulty

·         Nakia Fambro

DELAWARE TEACHING FELLOWS

Delaware Teaching Fellows (DTF) has also accepted its first cohort of fellows. Of the over 700 people that applied, 27 were accepted into the alternative certification program. This dynamic group started a five-week intensive Training Institute on June 20^th. Designed specifically for the DTF's accelerated route to teaching, the Training Institute consolidates a great deal of information about instructional design and delivery, classroom management, and preparation into only a few weeks, making it extremely demanding.  Fellows engage in practice teaching assignments in an active classroom, allowing them to observe, plan, and gradually lead instruction with on-site guidance from experienced faculty. Formal evaluations of Fellows are conducted during their training to assess their readiness for the classroom.

Innovative Schools would like to congratulate the newest Teaching Fellows and wish them good luck in the coming year. To learn more about DTF, visit their website - www.delawareteachingfellows.org.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT BASED LEARNING

Educators who would like to implement Project Based Learning (PBL) in their classroom are invited to attend Innovative Schools' PBL Institute.  This program provides both training in PBL from a Buck Institute National Faculty Member, and coaching from both national and local PBL trainers to ensure that projects are of the highest quality and aligned to standards. 

Educators taking part in the Institute will attend Project Based Learning 101 on October 5-7, 2011. The training days will be followed by large group, small group, and individual on-site coaching sessions through the school year,  providing educators with support that is customized to their grade level and classroom. The Institute will finish with a PBL Showcase in the spring. 

Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Schools are encouraged to build capacity at their site by sending core teams of educators. For more information contact Dawn Downes at ddownes@innovativeschools.org.

THANK YOU!

Innovative Schools would like to express our gratitude to several local philanthropic organizations that make our programs and initiatives possible. Thank you to:

• The Welfare Foundation for their support of Innovative Schools' New School Development program, which helps launch new charter schools. The Welfare gift will provide a revolving fund to cover the costs for community groups interested in working with Innovative Schools to develop a high quality charter application and replicate one of school designs in our Portfolio of Model Schools.
• The Longwood Foundation for their support of the Innovative School Solutions Division. Over the next two years, their critical funding will allow Innovative Schools to build out our Back Office Support, Information Technology, and Governance programs, increasing access to these services for Delaware's charter school community.  
• The Rodel Foundation for their support of the Delaware Leadership Project and the Model Staffing Initiative. Funding from the Rodel Foundation has made it possible for Innovative Schools to partner with two nationally recognized organizations - NYC Leadership Academy and The New Teacher Project to bring best practice human capital programs to Delaware to help generate a new pipeline of talent to lead and teach in Delaware's highest need schools. 

NEW TO OUR PORTFOLIO - EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING

Innovative Schools continues to research high performing, modern school models across the country with the potential to replicate here in Delaware. The schools we investigate must meet certain criteria in order to become part of the Innovative Schools' Portfolio, including new and engaging ways of learning, a culture of caring, a track record of student and academic success, utilizing student data in meaningful ways, collaboration among teachers, and significant family and community involvement. In addition, schools we investigate must have a strong framework for replication as a district or charter school.

We are happy to announce the newest addition to our portfolio - Expeditionary Learning (EL), a K-12 program. The Innovative Schools' team has visited several East coast EL schools, and is looking forward to taking Delaware educators to see this model in action this fall.

What is Expeditionary Learning all about?

Developed as a program of Outward Bound, this model uses exploratory outings, case studies, and hands-on learning as part of instruction integrating all subject areas, and can be implemented in elementary, middle, or high school models. The five core practices-learning expeditions, active pedagogy, school culture and character, leadership and school improvement, and structures-work in concert and support one another to promote high achievement through active learning, character growth, and teamwork. As a final component of the expedition, students produce a project to demonstrate what they have learned.

Innovative Schools is proud to partner with Expeditionary Learning to replicate this progressive K-12 school design in Delaware. To learn more and see a video about Expeditionary Learning, visit our website. Be sure to check out information about the Innovative School Model Alliance, a networking resource for schools implementing one of the models in our portfolio.