Illinois Principals Association

Building School Leader Network

The goal of the IPA Building School Leader Network (BSLN) is to equip established administrators with the supports needed to effectively sustain culture, build systems and develop their learning organization, while affording the self-care necessary to build a sustainable career as a learning leader. For an additional fee, 20, 40, or 60 hours of coaching is available to individual administrators.

This network is designed to serve school leaders who have been in the principalship for 3-5 years

Lynne Woodrum

Program Details

Learning Objectives

  1. Gain means for effectively addressing complex issues of school culture using the School Leader Paradigm.
  2. Clarify and integrate who you are and what you do to maximize your purpose as a learning leader.
  3. Identify the stakeholders within the school to develop shared leadership.
  4. Expand your tool box for leading deep systems change to improve learning through shared leadership.
  5. Leverage your professional learning network (PLN) to provide inspiration and support for ongoing transformational leadership.

Leading Objectives

  1. Apply cycles of inquiry to take intentional action in the Culture, Systems, and/or Learning Domains to improve teacher practice and student learning.
  2. Operationalize time and process management techniques into a high-impact weekly calendar that promotes proactive (rather than reactive) leadership.
  3. Refine key shared leadership structures in the school.
  4. Increase your knowledge and skill in growth-focused supervision and critical conversations.
  5. Embed habits and disciplines of self-care that help you lead an effective and sustainable career without losing your wholeness as a human being.

Network Team

Network Leader


Dr. PJ Caposey
Superintendent
Meridian CUSD 223

Dr. Caposey will present the activities during highly interactive sessions and provide new learning and application strategies through knowledge sharing, reflection and collegial discussion. Participants will receive a rich variety of resources and tools to support their leadership development. In addition, Team Leaders will be available to individually support network participants throughout the program.

Dr. Caposey became a principal and the tender age of 28 and within three years was able to lead a small-town/rural school which commonly achieved near the bottom of their county to multiple national recognitions. After four years, Dr. Caposey moved to his current district, Meridian CUSD 223, as superintendent and they have experienced a similar turnaround leading to multiple national recognitions for multiple different efforts. Read more about Dr. Caposey here.

Registration and Dates

Registration

IPA Member: $900
Non-IPA Member: $1,350
Special IPA member rate offered for participants in the network that have never been an IPA member before.
Network registration includes Annual Conference Sunday reception and Monday Annual Conference attendance. Tuesday of the Annual Conference can be added on for an extra $50

Dates

August 3-4, 2021 (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

October 24-25, 2021 (Sunday and Monday)
Sunday: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Network Session)
Sunday: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (IPA Annual Conference Reception)
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette

Monday: 8:00 am – 4:15 pm (IPA Annual Conference Day 1)
Peoria Civic Center

January 13, 2022 (Thursday)
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

March 2, 2022 (Wednesday)
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

Coaching

Experienced principals and administrators face new challenges, both from external leadership as well as from their own desire to improve their leadership impact and the performance of the school. Reflective coaching, collaborative discussions and planning are essential in supporting their continued development. As part of the comprehensive leadership development offered by the Illinois Principals Association, highly trained and experienced coaches are available to IPA professional development program participants and districts. Find out more here.

Program Sponsors