Leadership Institute Summer 2010 Slated June 11

Internationally renowned scholar Dr. Ellen Goldring will be keynote speaker at this year’s UCA Leadership Institute Summer 2010 scheduled for June 11.

Goldring is a professor of Education Policy and Leadership at Vanderbilt University. Her research addresses school leadership and the improvement of student learning. Goldring’s presentation, “Leadership for Learning: Assessing Behaviors that Matter Most,” will present research findings identifying those principal behaviors that are most likely to enhance school effectiveness and student learning.”Goldring is an exceptional researcher in the educational leadership field, having conducted empirical studies for over 25 years resulting in dozens of published articles and book chapters in the most rigorous scholarly publications in the field of educational leadership and policy”, said Diana Pounder, Dean of the College of Education. She is recognized as one of the top 50 scholars in the field of educational leadership.

“Few local or state conferences, meetings, or professional development opportunities are able to bring in an internationally renowned scholar of Dr. Goldring’s caliber,” Pounder said. “We hope that participants will enjoy and benefit from her wealth of knowledge to improve their schools’ leadership quality. “

The institute begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Brewer-Hageman Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. The annual Leadership Institute provides high quality speakers and professional development experiences to enhance the leadership capacity of Arkansas schools.

“High quality leadership in our schools is critical for effective educational opportunity and outcomes for all students,” Pounder said. “We are particularly committed to bringing in nationally recognized scholars and practitioners whose research and experiences address timely school improvement needs.”

Dr. Kimbrell, Arkansas Commissioner of Education, will deliver an address on the changing role of Arkansas school leaders. His first-hand experience in Arkansas is invaluable to understanding problems of local schools and districts.

“The education community clearly recognizes the need to improve the leadership capacity and leadership quality at both the school and district level”, Pounder said.

“Schools are utilizing more teacher leaders to increase their leadership capacity and focus on improving student learning. Districts are recognizing that not only principals but also district-level personnel can have a powerful impact on student learning outcomes by establishing priorities and processes that enhance teachers’ effectiveness in promoting student learning,” she said. “The UCA Leadership Institute provides high quality professional development for Arkansas educators seeking to enhance student learning and other valued outcomes of schooling.”

Learn more about the recent institute at the university’s YouTube page.