Based upon a background of positive psychology (Seligman), and strengths psychology (Clifton) strength-based leadership emphasizes the development of employee strengths, rather than the remediation of individual weaknesses as a way of doing business. Using the framework of strength-based leadership, students will learn how to apply leadership theory in a way which promotes a culture of commitment, rather than simply compliance. Students will study their own strengths and how to build an educational community around the strengths of each employee to move their schools to greater academic achievement. Florida Leadership Standards will be addressed via a crosswalk of the strength-based approach to traditional leadership practice.
Students will study generic and their institution’s test, attendance, and graduation data to discuss and describe possible paths to improvement. This course is designed to move leaders from “I think” solutions to “the data suggest” solutions. Students will practice “real world” decision-making to meet the standard: “High Performing Leaders plan effectively, use critical thinking and problem solving techniques, and collect and analyze data for continuous school improvement.” Students will personalize their study to meet the needs of their charter, public and traditional private Montessori schools.
In this course, students will explore and analyze various organizational, management, and instructional strategies that work best for educating culturally diverse students. While actively experiencing responsive education within a learning community, students will reflect on diverse cultural experiences to form a personal understanding as a basis to integrate multicultural school/classroom experiences to improve the academic success of all students by building on student personal strengths. The theory of “Multiple Intelligences” and current research available in educational neuroscience will be the basis for developing a plan for meeting student needs to enhance student cognitive, social, and emotional success through a nurturing school/classroom environment.
This course for Montessori Guides covers the basic underpinnings of Montessori Education, including a thorough examination of Montessori's view of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of human life and development. The course will focus on the philosophical and educational theories that provide the basis of the Montessori method. Basic principles to be explored include Theory, Sensitive Periods, Preparation of the Teacher, Absorbent Mind, Curriculum Theory, child development, etc.
The course addresses Montessori focused practices regarding classroom observation and management. The combination of personal reflection on classroom observation and management, as well as, actual classroom observations is used to deepen the student’s understanding, appreciation of and ability to apply course topics.
This course will allow participants to integrate foundational principles and strategies for leadership in the school that transcend classroom teaching. This will build on all of the learning that has been achieved throughout the master’s program. Specific areas to be addressed include application of leadership skills specific for a lead teacher, level lead, committee head, curriculum coordinator, board member, having a student teacher or practicum student, leading parent meetings and education sessions, and leading regular materials practice sessions or other peer coaching and instruction. The students will also learn to enlist parent support for their leadership management efforts. A framework for fostering cooperation, social skills, and a sense of community is generated, and guidelines for peace education are included.