The Virginia Tech Center for Organizational & Technological Advancement (COTA), in association with the Virginia Tech School of Education, and the Western Virginia Public Education Consortium (WVPEC), is pleased to present the 19th offering of the Recently Appointed Administrators (RAA) program.
"Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort and intelligent execution." - Aristotle
School administrators are expected to demonstrate a high level of excellence in every area of education; providing great leadership, communicating effectively, making strategic decisions, and building relationships with diverse stakeholders. RAA offers numerous hands-on opportunities for new school administrators to expand and refine existing skills and to sharpen decision-making abilities. The program focuses on exploring strategies to manage challenges while working to ensure student success. Multiple perspectives on effective leadership will be offered while highlighting the power of reflection, the value of coaching and mentoring, and the importance of maintaining balance between personal and professional life.
RAA is an engaging, motivating and empowering program where participants will:
- Build an invaluable network of peers
- Increase understanding of the importance of building relationships
- Develop awareness of best practices for social media
- Receive guidance and direction for media interviews
- Gain perspective on creating a culture of safety
- Examine their leadership philosophy, identify core values, and write a personal vision statement
- Learn strategies for building the instructional capacity of school personnel
- Dive deep into data analysis for meaning and change
- Develop strategies for establishing and maintaining a work/life balance
Taught in four cohort sessions, learning will be facilitated through subject area experts, readings, small group discussions, role play, and voice of experience conversations with current and retired administrators and superintendents. Each participant will be charged with identifying and interacting with a mentor/coach. Final products will include a personal vision statement and a reflective journal synopsis based on their total program experience that identifies new awareness of their roll and the application of what has been learned. Participants receive up to 90 contact hours from Virginia Tech upon successful completion of the program requirements.