Educational (K-12) Leadership

Employment opportunities in public and private educational services is anticipated to increase by 12 percent, adding about 1.7 million new jobs through 2018. Eight percent of this growth is expected in education administrator positions due to: rising student enrollments at all levels of education; a large number of expected retirements; and, fewer applicants for some administrative positions as many people are discouraged from seeking administrative jobs because of the requirement that they have a master's or doctoral degree in education administration.

The innovative leadership skills you will gain while earning your Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership will be needed to handle overcrowded classrooms, safety issues, budgetary concerns, and teacher shortages. The K-12 Program Curriculum Chart demonstrates how Strategic Leadership Studies will enhance and expand your leadership skills and content knowledge.

Currently all Strategic Leadership Program students in the K-12 concentration area are fully employed and part-time students. As if that is not enough to keep them busy, two of these candidates were promoted and started new administrative positions this school year.

Abbott Keesee was promoted to Coordinator of Student Services at Rockbridge County High School in Lexington, Virginia and Patrick Shuler was promoted to Athletic Director and Assistant Principal of Rustburg High School in Rustburg, Virginia. After half a school year into their new leadership positions, they were asked two questions: What do you like best about your new position; and, how are you using what you are learning in your Ph.D. classes? Here

What do you like best about your new position?

Abbott: “My new position as a High School Student Services Coordinator allows me to work with teachers and monitor data to spot areas of concern and address them by implementing or arranging for appropriate services or interventions.  What I like most about this job is the opportunity to arrange help for those students, who need it the most.”

Patrick: “I like the responsibility and challenge of my new position as Athletic Director and Assistant Principal.  It is truly a challenge to make effective decisions that impact students, staff and the community daily.  I also enjoy who I work with and my Principal, who is mentoring me and helping me grow as a leader.”

How are you applying what you are learning in your Ph.D. classes?

Abbott: “My Strategic Leadership Program classes have helped equip me with the confidence, analytical skills, and resource management skills I need to be successful at a fast paced job where there is no typical day.”           

Patrick: “I am using what I am learning in my PhD classes to help me understand the way students think and learn.  The extensive reading and research in the area of education and leadership has really influenced my decision-making and view of the big picture in public education.  The collaboration with like-minded professionals about learning theories has been enlightening and helpful in my current position.”

One of the goals of earning the JMU Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership is to move into higher-level administrative positions and apply the leadership concepts learned. These students are not only performing well in the JMU classroom, but also in their respective schools and divisions.

 

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov.oco/ocos007.htm#training