Record Staff Report
Spalding University announced March 11 that its College of Education will work with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) to offer a new graduate program designed to prepare JCPS teachers for the role of principal.
The Aspiring Leaders Principal Certification program will be launched this summer for those pursuing Spalding’s master of education in instructional leadership: principal preparation program.
According to a press release from the school, the 30-credit-hour year-long program is designed for the JCPS system and will be presented “through the lens of JCPS’s three institutional Pillars: a Backpack of Success Skills, Racial Equity and Climate and Culture.”
The Aspiring Leaders program is open to JCPS employees with a Kentucky Teacher Certificate, at least three years of teaching experience and a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a 2.75 grade point average.
The program will offer a combination of online and face-to-face instruction.
Spalding’s president Dr. Tori Murden McClure said “as an urban education institution, Spalding is strongly committed to supporting Louisville’s diverse public school system. Through the Aspiring Leadership program, we are taking the next step in our support of JCPS by aligning our principal-preparation courses to be in lockstep with the values of the school district. We understand the unique strengths and unique challenges of Jefferson County schools and we want to work with the district in ensuring that every school has a high-quality leader.”
Spalding’s assistant professor Dr. Glenn Baete will serve as the program’s director. Baete retired last year as JCPS’ assistant superintendent. “You have individuals (teaching in the program) who have very strong backgrounds in a large, urban school district,” Baete said. “They are uniquely qualified from their personal experience to help these aspiring leaders develop the skills and understanding they need to succeed in JCPS schools.”
Other JCPS educators who will serve as instructors for the program include Dr. Tracy Barber, Dunn Elementary’s principal, and retired assistant superintendent Kirk Lattimore.
Applications for the program are being accepted through March 27 on the JCPS employee online hub. For more information, contact Dr. Baete at gbaete@spalding.edu.
