River Place Elementary

Aspiring Leader Program

Through a unique partnership between Concordia University Texas and Leander Independent School District, high potential LISD teachers have the opportunity to earn their Master of Education degree with a specialization in Educational Administration. Unlike other programs, the LISD Aspiring Leader curriculum offers district-specific coursework, preparing students to advance in their careers with a distinctly LISD-oriented approach. Classes are held in the evenings and/or weekends at Cedar Park High School and taught by Concordia professors and Leander ISD district and campus administrators.

Aspiring Administrator Academy

The Aspiring Administrator Academy is designed for current Leander ISD staff committed to developing their leadership skills in preparation of becoming an Assistant Principal. Participants must attend the monthly academy meetings focused on leadership development skills as aligned to the Leander Leadership Profile. Participants will engage in learning outside of the monthly academy meetings including, an action research project and implementing campus professional learning. Upon completion of this program, participants will participate in a mock interview in preparation for potential interview opportunities. Participants are not guaranteed a position as an administrator in Leander ISD, however, the goal of the academy is to develop campus leaders within our system.

Prospective Principal Program

The Prospective Principal Program is designed to prepare a select cohort of experienced Leander ISD campus and district administrators to successfully enter the principalship. The program provides cohort members the opportunity to gain targeted, timely, and personalized professional learning with a focus on the qualities and skills needed to lead a Leander ISD campus. Course content is aligned to the LISD Leadership Profile with the goal of operationalizing the LISD Superintendent goal of “ensuring a world class workforce focused on student achievement by increasing leadership capacity.”

As educational research indicates, school leadership has a direct impact on student achievement. Thus, it is imperative that campus administrators continue to grow and develop in all facets of leadership. In order to support this growth, Leander ISD provides the following structures:

Principals

• Monthly Leadership Meetings focused on instructional and operational leadership
• Monthly Coaching from Area Superintendent
• Mentor Program for New (and New to District) Principals
• Empowering Leaders Summer Series
• Principal Collaboratives
• Service on districtwide committees to broaden understanding of systems and provide input
• Continuous Improvement Institute

Assistant Principals

• Monthly Assistant Principal Leadership Meetings focused on instructional and operational leadership
• Mentor Program for New (and New to District) Assistant Principals
• Assistant Principal Summer Leadership Retreat
• Service on districtwide committees to broaden understanding of systems and provide input
• Continuous Improvement Institute