PARTICIPANTS' REACTIONS FROM
SUPERINTENDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
offered by
The Pennsylvania Leadership Development Center
The statements below are responses given by participants to the following question:
What statement best describes the value to you of this professional development process?
"The last two days were very intense and enabled me to reflect and focus on how to handle my job. I was able to focus on very apparent strengths and weaknesses with a primary goal of improvement."
"The process allowed us to experience on-target real situations appropriate to the superintendency."
"I believe your superintendent's assessment process is one of the best professional development activities I have been able to participate in as an administrator over the last fifteen years. I thought the one and one-half day process was well designed and well implemented. I recommend this program for any superintendent who would like to gain additional insight into his skills and characteristics."
"Worthwhile, time well spent, very helpful."
"The opportunity to work through a series of activities designed to tap critical skills and then receive feedback is a powerful and rare experience for a superintendent."
"The activities used for assessing each participant closely parallel the day to day activities engaged in by school superintendents."
"The SLDP provided an opportunity to analyze the superintendency according to well defined dimensions...the opportunity to be successful appears greater if attention is paid to the refinement of these skills."
"The opportunity to take an introspective look at myself and then be assessed by a panel of my peers was most helpful."
"This process gave me the opportunity to do a self appraisal of my leadership ability as well as share/exchange experiences with others."
"Demanding, but made me think and react to issues that were a new experience for me."
"The activities designed captured the reality of today's superintendency. The feedback provided by veteran superintendents was nothing short of outstanding! A tremendous learning experience."
"The process has provided an excellent opportunity to test the skills and abilities one needs to lead as a superintendent in the Commonwealth. All 'new' superintendents should have this experience as part of an entry level plan."
"This is a truly outstanding development training process and opportunity."
"I value the opportunity to learn from and with the skilled facilitators and participants in the Superintendent Leadership Development Program and would recommend it to my colleagues."
"Provided constructive feedback on various dimensions of leadership: delegation, planning, organization, meeting, facilitation, public speaking, etc."
The statements below are responses given by participants in response to the following question: If you were invited to make a presentation to a group of Superintendents about professional development through participation in an SLDP "center," what would be your central themes?
"It has potential to be an extremely valuable experience."
"I would recommend the program. The in-basket activities provided an avenue for improvement. Relationships developed with other administrators."
"I would suggest that the experience provides superintendents with a unique opportunity to begin or continue (whichever the case may be!) a journey that ultimately enhances the strength brought to a leadership role. Specifically: 1) The experience as well as the "retreat" type setting provides individuals with an opportunity for "centering." That centering requires introspection and reflection -- in so doing, one must confront central beliefs that motivate/drive one's actions and reactions. 2) The activities should result in a self-analysis that brings to a conscious level one's style, ego needs, attributes, and the skills/attitudes meriting improvement or re-examination."
"Leadership skill dimensions. Strengths and derailers as components of a leadership style. The personal development plan - An enabling success pattern."
"Professionally done. Situations are well chosen and reflect a superintendent's day to day activities. It allows you to compare your thoughts and ideas regarding common challenges. It's not easy, but it is rewarding."
"The benefits of self and colleague assessment. The benefits of networking with colleagues."
Pennsylvania Leadership Development Center
2608 Market Place, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Telephone: 717-540-4448
Fax: 717-540-4405
Email: contact@pldcvirtualead.org
Director: Dr. Patrick Crawford