Some are facilitators of curriculum committees. Many serve on school task forces, lead staff development sessions, and present proposals to school boards. A few, serve as substitute principals when the principal is away from the building. Most programs prepare teachers as specialists without including skills such as chairing committees, working with school boards, budgeting programs, writing curriculum, or managing schools. Our program prepares teachers for leadership roles within their selected area of concentration.
All students take three core courses in leadership and a research application project.
They also select to focus in either leadership in reading, leadership in technology, or leadership in schools. The reading strand prepares teachers to assume leadership roles in curriculum development, staff development and evaluation of literacy at the K-12 levels. In completing this area of specialization, graduates are eligible for a South Dakota Division of Elementary and Secondary Education certification as a K-12 reading specialist. In addition, three years of experience in teaching reading is required for certification. The school leadership strand prepares teachers to assume administrative tasks such as providing staff development, writing curriculum, mentoring other teachers, and providing public relations.