klingenstein center heads of schools program
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The Klingenstein Center's Heads of Schools Program brings a cohort of 20 independent and international school leaders together for two weeks in January and February at Columbia University's Teachers College. Applications for his fully-finded fellowship are due by May 1, 2014. http://www.klingenstein.org/content/heads-programTRANSCRIPT
Shaping the hearts and minds of the young people who
will be tomorrow’s leaders requires a genuine passion
and thoughtful approach to teaching and learning. But
it also requires skillful hiring, facilities and real estate
management, crisis planning, marketing, fundraising,
legal counseling, Boards of Trustees, community
relations and adapting to rapidly changing technologies.
Balancing roles and demands from
multiple constituencies may leave little
time for much needed academic renewal,
discussion, reflection and personal
development.
The heads program was established
precisely to meet those needs—to
provide replenishment and reflection
in the company of professional peers.
philosophical discussions, cutting edge research and the collegial support
of a cohort make for time well spent. Led by renowned professors, the two
week immersion in academe at columbia University’s Teachers college in
New York city is described by alumni as the most meaningful professional
development of their careers. we invite you to experience it for yourself as
you reconnect with what first drew you to the profession and reaffirm the
value of your work. You owe it to yourself and to your school to apply.
Pearl Rock Kane
Klingenstein Family Chair Professor and Director The Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership
It was a gift to spend two
weeks away from campus
being a student again with
other Heads from around
the world. The research
methods class gave us the
time and tools to explore a
topic of interest, and the ethics
and school reform classes
reminded us of the importance
of our roles as they provided
new perspectives on our work.
I also benefited enormously
from the more informal
time with colleagues,
including running in Central
Park, lingering over meals,
commuting by foot or subway
to Teachers College and
enjoying some of the culture
that New York City offers.
I highly recommend this
program to all experienced
Heads. You’ll return to your
school inspired, refreshed and
excited for the next chapter of
your tenure as a Head.
Engage in meaningful intellectual discourse.
Talk shop as it was meant to be.
Elizabeth Duffy ’11 The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville, NJ
Two-week fellowship exclusively for school Heads
The Heads of Schools Program is a fully funded
two-week fellowship that offers intensive study and
collaboration among Heads of independent schools
from around the world. Beginning in late January,
twenty school Heads convene at Columbia’s Teachers
College to share in colloquia focused on issues relevant
to school leadership and ethical decision-making.
Participants receive three graduate credits upon
successful completion of the program.
This program ranks as the best
professional development
that I have ever experienced. It
was inspiring to be immersed
in the academic milieu of the
premier education school in the
world.
The outstanding professors
effectively wove theory with the
practical aspect of leading K-12
schools. Certainly, a pinnacle of
the program was the opportunity
to interact professionally and
socially with fellow Heads from
around the world. I could have
easily spent another month in
New York with these bright,
interesting, dedicated and very
funny individuals. I have made
several lifelong friends and if
for only this one aspect of the
experience, I will forever be
grateful.
My only regret is that now that
I have done the Klingenstein
program, I am afraid that I can
never top it with something as
significant.
Re-awaken your passion for learning.
Fall in love with the city that never sleeps.
Jaime Dominguez ’12Stuart Hall for BoysSan Francisco, CA
school heads discuss educational issues
and policies and interact with each other
in stimulating sessions with outstanding
professors. Topics include moral leadership
and current issues in education. heads also
meet in joint sessions with graduate students
to share their wisdom and visit innovative New
York city schools in order to further broaden
their perspectives.
as part of the program, heads attend a
Broadway theater production and tour the
Metropolitan Museum of art guided by a
professor of art history.
Teachers college is one of the thirteen
graduate and professional schools of columbia
University. Located in the Morningside heights
neighborhood of New York city, the college
enjoys full access to the libraries and resources
of columbia University and the rich cultural and
recreational opportunities of this exciting city.
as one of the leading graduate schools of
education in the world, Teachers college has
been committed for over one hundred years
to preparing the next generation of leaders of
education, improving practice in educational
institutions, engaging in research on the
central issues facing education, and shaping
public debate and public policy in education.
I have not had better
professional development
in my 20 plus years in
education.
Vladimir D. Kuskovski ‘11 Oberoi International SchoolMumbai, India
The klingenstein heads of schools
fellowship is a welcome professional
oasis that gives heads the chance to immerse
themselves in educational issues with
colleagues from around the world. within
the halls where John Dewey once presided,
heads of schools interact with Teachers
college professors in a well-rounded and
rigorous course of study, delving into topics
from educational philosophy to cutting edge
research methods.
For me, a program highlight was the
opportunity to work with graduate students
eager to learn from experienced heads of
schools. Together we examined real case
studies and discussed the kinds of professional
dilemmas that heads have to face. This was
a unique opportunity to share with future
leaders and it was a learning experience for all.
Arnie Bieber ’12 International School of PragueCzech Republic
Equally as rewarding to the daily course of
study was the opportunity to socialize and
get to know accomplished heads of schools
from around the world. Each evening over
dinner, we informally discussed our unique
professional experiences and exchanged
anecdotes and ideas. having made strong
connections, we reach out to each other to
collaborate or to simply seek advice.
The klingenstein heads of schools program is
a professionally reinvigorating experience and
clearly a highlight of my professional career.
Find a source of renewable energy.
Recharge yourself.
all of my colleagues in the klingenstein
heads program were outstanding.
i hadn’t realized how hungry i was to
have a sounding board of smart, savvy
compassionate school heads who do what
i do every day, who understand what it feels
like to shoulder the responsibility of running
a school and who can laugh at some of the
situations we find ourselves in. Given the
number of female heads in the field, i was
particularly grateful for the opportunity to
connect with the talented women leaders in
such a meaningful way.
Though the program is over, we continue to
stay connected through skype, email, text
and phone, transcending barriers of time and
geography. i feel i have my cohort at my side.
The relationships are authentic and invaluable.
Ann Klotz ‘12 The Laurel SchoolShaker Heights, OH
Think it’s lonely at the top?
Meet like-minded colleagues who really get independent schools.
The Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership was
founded in 1977 with a generous grant from the Klingenstein Fund.
The mission of the Center is to develop and strengthen leadership
among teachers and administrators in independent and
international schools. In addition to the Heads Program, the Center
offers programs for independent school educators at every stage of
their careers.
The Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University
Eligibility
What a luxury to
attend courses,
engage in intellectual
discourse, conduct research
and become friends with
other school Heads! For
two weeks in January, I had
the privilege of attending
the Klingenstein Heads
of Schools program at
Teachers College, Columbia
University. It was an amazing
experience that exceeded my
high expectations.
The Klingenstein Heads of
Schools program was truly
an intellectually stimulating
and extremely valuable
learning opportunity – one
that will have an impact on
the rest of my career and on
the schools I lead.
Indulge in your own professional development.
Treat yourself and your school.
Robin Heslip ’12Director, The American International School of Zagreb Zagreb, Croatia
To be eligible for the Heads of Schools Program, candidates
must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an
accredited college or university, or its equivalent. Applicants
whose first language is not English and those who have
received a bachelor’s degree from any country or university
where English is not the official language of instruction
should read the Teachers College application information
for international applicants and contact the Klingenstein
Center for assistance.
An applicant must currently be the Head of the school and
plan to continue in the role of Head upon completion of
the program. Deadline for applications is May 1st. Please go
to www.Klingenstein.org for additional information.
The Summer Institute for Early Career Teachers The summer institute is a fully funded two-week fellowship for teachers with
two to five years experience that focuses on an exploration of teaching styles,
educational philosophies, issues and personal development. The program
is taught by master teachers, prominent education experts, and talented
Teachers college professors.
Master’s Degree Programs Full-Year (september-May) and Two-summers master’s degree programs (two
summers, mid-June through July) offer mid-career teachers and administrators
two options for earning a master’s degree in private school Leadership.
The klingenstein center’s carefully crafted programs draw on the resources
of columbia University to provide the knowledge, skills and understanding
necessary for informed and effective practice. in an age in which educators
are called upon to understand both the business of management and the
moral purpose of educating youth, the klingenstein center stands alone in its
capacity to develop school leaders for independent and international schools.
in addition to the heads program, the center offers programs for teachers and
mid-level administrators:
I appreciated the rigor of my
research project. Too often in
our profession pop psychology
rules the day, so getting back
to my academic roots was
both important and enjoyable.
The program expects you
to challenge your own
assumptions about education
and yet the result for me was
a strengthening of my own
convictions. The professors
instill a genuine sense of
empowerment.
I was genuinely surprised
by the diverse, enriching
backgrounds of the other
Heads. There was a strong,
collaborative culture and a
palpable connection among us
that I had not anticipated.
I now have twenty talented
colleagues to call whenever I
need a sounding board.
T.J. Locke ‘12 Isidore Newman SchoolNew Orleans, LA
Challenge your assumptions about education.
Surprise yourself.
For more information on the Heads Program Please go to www.klingenstein.org.
To contact the Center, please email [email protected] or call 212.678.3156.