Department of Leadership, Research, and School Improvement

Educational Leadership

Education Annex 216•678-839-2463
https://www.westga.edu/academics/education/lrsi/

Professor:

D. Hoff (Dean)

Associate Professors:

M. Gantner, A. Nixon (Chair)

Assistant Professors:

C. Davis, G. Evans, J. Lee, G. Storie

Learning Outcomes:

Education leaders build a collective vision of student success and well-being.

Education leaders build consensus among all stakeholders of what students should know and do as a consequence of their participation in schools, as well as what it means for students to become well adjusted, contributing members of society. Building such a vision can require reconciling possibly competing perspectives among diverse members of the school community. Based on this vision, leaders plan, implement, monitor and evaluate impact to promote continuous and sustainable improvement.

Education leaders champion and support instruction and assessment that maximizes student learning and achievement.

Education leaders promote the use of rigorous curricula, which set high expectations for students and are aligned to academic standards. They seek to maximize student learning through authentic and differentiated pedagogy, systems of support and effective assessment strategies that inform instruction. They develop and coordinate these systems in ways that create opportunities to personalize the academic program to meet individual student needs. The effectiveness of implementation and the impact of these systems on student learning are evaluated.

Education leaders manage and develop staff members’ professional skills and practices in order to drive student learning and achievement.

Education leaders support the professional learning of effective, caring teachers and leaders who are able to work with students productively in the classroom and who can collaboratively lead a school or district. Building an effective staff takes careful personnel recruitment, selection, assignment of responsibilities, support, evaluation and retention. Developing the professional skills of educators involves such activities as coaching, creating supportive conditions and fostering a learning community.

Education leaders cultivate a caring and inclusive school community dedicated to student learning, academic success and personal well-being of every student.

Education leaders create healthy, safe, and supportive school environments in which students are known, accepted, valued and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Leaders do so by fostering a culture defined by high expectations, trust and a collective sense of responsibility for the academic, social and emotional needs of all students.

Education leaders effectively coordinate resources, time, structures and roles to build the instructional capacity of teachers and other staff.

Education leaders strive to ensure that staff have the requisite organizational resources, time, structures and roles to increase student learning and achievement. They think creatively about class schedules, student and teacher assignments, the use of technology in the classroom, and the allocation of time and space for staff to exchange ideas and collaborate.

Education leaders engage families and the outside community to promote and support student success.

Education leaders build and sustain productive relationships with families and other community partners in the government, non-profit and private sectors. They promote understanding, appreciation and use of the community’s diverse cultural, social, and intellectual resources. They communicate regularly and openly with families and community partners, and seek their input and support for continuous improvement efforts.

Education leaders administer and manage operations efficiently and effectively.

Education leaders are responsible for the effective, efficient, equitable and ethical management of schools and districts. Their responsibilities include garnering and allocating resources, monitoring and addressing internal and external regulatory requirements, developing organizational policies and practices, and other administrative duties that maintain the continued viability of the school or district.

School Improvement

Education Annex 216 • 678-839-5162
https://www.westga.edu/eddsi/

Please check our website for the most up-to-date information.

Programs

Specialist in Education

Educational Leadership, Ed.S.

Doctorate in Education

School Improvement, Ed.D.

Non-Degree Educator Certification