School Improvement - Thinking Outside the Box - EDU-X786T

Course Description

Empowering School leaders to Craft Bold Strategies for School Improvements

School Improvement – Thinking Outside the Box is an innovative, self-paced course designed for emerging school leaders transitioning from classroom teaching to roles that shape professional learning across their schools or districts. It is also valuable for current school leaders seeking a fresh perspective and new strategies to drive meaningful improvement in their organizations. Based on principles of adult learning, this course challenges participants to move beyond traditional training models by exploring reflective questions that guide the design and development of impactful, learner-centered professional development. Through a combination of journal reflections and action plan assignments in each module, participants will examine their leadership context, rethink how educators learn best, and generate bold, practical strategies for school improvement that go beyond conventional boundaries.

Learner Outcomes

• Apply adult learning theory to design meaningful and effective professional development for educators
• Analyze self-reflection and needs assessment to guide leadership development and support continuous school improvement
• Support systemic frameworks like Human Resources to enhance or challenge the application of adult learning in school leadership
• Use untapped local resources or partnerships that can identify, enrich and leverage professional learning and support your school community
• Critically evaluate and strategically implement online learning for adult learners in a way that complements in-person experiences
• Take actions to foster a healthy, supportive climate for adult educators that promotes retention, well-being, and growth
• Integrate your learning from this course into a practical, visionary plan for improving the professional culture and instructional practices at your school or district

Course Details

Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours.

Who Should Attend: Teacher leaders, such as teachers in a department chair role, school improvement role, or anyone who is responsible for level training within a school. Also school leaders such as principals, assistant/vice principals or aspiring school leaders, district leaders and anyone with a role in curriculum leadership, superintendent, school or district improvement. 

Course Materials: Text, Improving Schools: Simple Approaches and Understandings to Realize Growth by Kevin Popadines, available at Barnes & Noble, Bloomsbury or at Amazon.com.

Technical Requirements