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Leadership Development

One of the key pillars in the Abbotsford School District's strategic plan is leadership excellence. In support of this commitment, the District has developed a robust leadership development plan intended to build leadership capacity throughout the organization. Participants at all district levels are supported in collaboratively building their leadership knowledge and practice in service of student learning. The district’s framework is guided by the belief that leaders must:

  • demonstrate courage to do what is best for students;
  • act in service of the board’s stated mission, vision and values;
  • demonstrate ethical decision making;
  • foster trusting relationships;
  • promote equity and inclusion;
  • lead learning by supporting lifelong learning and the development of the whole person, among both students and adults; and
  • embrace system thinking and connectedness.

System Leaders Academy

The System Leadership Academy provides current leaders with the skills and knowledge to successfully lead at the district level (in an equitable and inclusive manner). While the program is designed to build the systems leadership capacity of all principals and vice-principals, it is also intended to support the Abbotsford’s long-term succession plan for district level leadership.

System Leaders will:

  • understand and promote the vision and mission of the district;
  • understand the system of public education governance;
  • improve their knowledge and skill in systems thinking and decision making;
  • improve understanding and practice of ethical leadership;
  • improve understanding and application of relational leadership; and
  • deepen understanding of change management.

Mentorship Program

The Mentorship Program is intended to support the district's approach to job-embedded professional development for principals, vice-principals and managers. We define mentorship as a learning partnership where an experienced professional provides knowledge, guidance, support and challenge to develop an employee’s knowledge and skills and accelerate their learning.

Participants will:

Mentorship

  • develop leadership in a personalized and supportive one on one relationship;
  • acquire professional knowledge and skills and build their network;
  • employ evidenced-based strategies to facilitate personal and school/departmental improvement;
  • develop precise skills including, using targeted questioning and feedback to deepen professional practice.

Coaching Program

The Coaching Program is intended to support the district's approach to job-embedded professional development for principals, vice-principals and managers. We define coaching as an interactive dialogue, the goal of which is to explore growth, deepen learning, and unlock an employee’s potential toward the achievement of individual, team, and organizational goals.

Participants will:

Coaching

  • develop leadership in a personalized and supportive one on one relationship;
  • clarify and refine personal leadership vision and values;
  • employ evidenced-based strategies to facilitate personal and organizational improvement;
  • improve practice through personal reflection and increased self-awareness;
  • maximize their ability to nurture the adult learning culture; and
  • develop precise skills including, using targeted questioning and feedback to deepen professional practice.

Principal & Vice-Principal Induction Program

The Principal Induction Program prepares pre-selected vice-principals with the skills, knowledge and dispositions to successfully fulfill the role of principal. The program offers a combination of coaching, mentoring, individual and whole group professional development, and purposeful networking in service of preparing vice-principals to be successful in their first principalship.
 

The Vice-Principal Induction Program prepares pre-selected teachers to successfully transition to a formal leadership role and fulfill the role of vice-principal. In addition to participating in the Teacher Leader Academy, participants will develop a leader growth plan, implement practical, experiential learning strategies with the support of their Principal, and form a community of practice to deepen their learning. This program will provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skill development that participants will continue to build on throughout their careers.

PVP Leaders will:

Principal Induction Program

  • deepen understanding of district strategic directions: mission, vision and values;
  • learn to lead with courage;
  • strengthen ethical decision making;
  • improve their ability to build collaborative cultures;
  • expand their capacity to lead for diversity and inclusion, including indigenous perspectives;
  • develop strategies to advance student and adult deep learning;
  • strengthen key leadership skills in organizational management;
  • prepare for the accountabilities related to the role of principal; and
  • develop their personal and professional network.

Vice-Principal Induction Program

  • deepen understanding of school leadership, district expectations and support build awareness of  personal leadership strengths and areas for growth
  • work closely with their Principal to identify learning opportunities that build and demonstrate their leadership competency in key areas
  • job shadow current school leaders in the areas of school leadership and personnel management
  • prepare for the accountabilities of the role of vice principal; and
  • develop their personal and professional network.

Teacher Leadership Academy

Designed for department heads, program directors and teacher leaders who aspire to lead in a formal capacity, the Teacher Leadership Academy focuses on building a leadership foundation for prospective vice-principals.

Teacher Leaders will:

  • understand and explore leadership competencies identified by the school district;
  • network in areas of inquiry and problem-solving commensurate with leadership competencies;
  • understand the importance of student-focused leadership in achieving equitable and inclusive learning environments;
  • explore the intricacies of relational based leadership; and
  • understand and apply principles of adult learning.