SAI now provides two distinct mentoring programs:

• one for beginning principals and superintendents which has been in existence for several years, and
• new online mentoring supports specifically designed for beginning assistant principals, associate superintendents and other central office personnel.

The new program is intended to serve educational leaders who are new to their positions, but because of Iowa Code changes in the 2010 legislative session are not eligible to receive a paid mentor. Development of the new program was made possible with the generous support of The Wallace Foundation.

Components of each program for 2010-11 

Mentoring Program for New Principals and Superintendents

Audience: Required by law for any administrator new to the principalship or superintendency (district may provide its own mentoring program which must meet state specifications).

Mentors: Assigned by SAI personnel; must have had four years of administrative experience; paid by SAI through mentor’s district.

Components: Bimonthly face-to-face contacts; weekly contacts; monthly communications from SAI personnel; two statewide meetings for mentors and mentees; access to online learning modules; supports for mentee’s district supervisor to meet legal requirements at the conclusion of first year.

Required Statewide Professional Development at the SAI Office in Clive:

• All elementary principals and mentors: September 27, 2010, and January 19, 2011
• All middle school and high school principals and mentors: September 16, 2010, and January 5, 2011
• All superintendents and mentors: September 21, 2010, and January 18, 2011

Registration Fee: No charge (costs paid by program)

Cost: $1,500, which to the extent moneys are available, a school district will receive from the state per beginning administrator participating in the program.

Enrollment Process: District superintendent requests mentor for new principal (through SAI) or new superintendent indicates intent for him/herself to participate. Online application information.

Program Director: Dr. Troyce Fisher

Supports for New Assistant Principals and Associate Superintendents

Audience: Any assistant principal or associate superintendent/central office administrator new to that position; participation not required by law.

Mentors: Provided by home district; often a supervisor; unpaid. 

Components: Eight online learning modules, phone and e-mail access to program director; two statewide learning opportunities; supports for writing individual professional development plan; monthly communications from program director.

Common Professional Development Opportunities at the SAI Office in Clive:

• All assistant principals: October 12 and January 26
• All associate superintendents and central office personnel: October 12 and January 26
• Registration fee: $95

Sign-Up Process: New administrator and LEA mentor sign-up form is online in Module 1. There is no charge to access online modules.   

Program Director: Dr. Dave Markward, (technical support provided by Dave Sparks).

Iowa is one of 19 states selected to field test the process that will eventually result in National Board Certification for Principals. Application for this field test is open to any principal who meets the following criteria: 

1. possesses a BA degree;
2. has three years of experience; and
3. possesses a valid state license. 

If you are interested, go to the National Board website and complete the seven-item demographic fact sheet. You will be sent a login and password to access the application, which is due August 31, 2010. The National Board will notify you of your status by mid-September. 

The 18-month field test process is outlined in an FAQ. There will be an emphasis on performance assessments of real tasks, not simulations or research papers.  

This field test is not sponsored by, nor is it affiliated with, SAI. It is an opportunity of which we want all Iowa principals to be aware.

Thanks to all who attended the 35th Annual Conference! You should have received an evaluation via e-mail to give us your feedback and help us plan next year's conference, Aug. 3-4, 2011. This year's event provided many resources that will prove valuable both at the beginning of and throughout the school year. Information will be posted as it is made available to the SAI office.

Conference photos - more to come!

Information on the Priorities for Life video shown at the Opening General Session

Matt Carver's presentation

Dr. Nancy Hill's presentation: "Parental Involvement during Adolescence: Strategies that work in Middle & High School"

Resources from David Warlick's "Harnessing the Perfect Storm"

Select speaker presentations on Intelligent Talk Television

As Iowa works toward implementing a cohesive leadership system for school administrators, a National Staff Development Council JSD article lays out what's being learned along the way. It includes a description of the scaffold of supports that has been developed to equip leaders in progressing to meet the learning needs of every student in Iowa.