Based on the premise that school leaders profoundly influence best practice, The Principals' Center provides opportunities for principals to meet in a stimulating and supportive setting to examine crucial school reform topics applicable to their work. School leaders choosing to become members of The Principals' Center gain a valuable network of critical friends interested in enhancing teacher performance and increasing student achievement. Through The Principals' Center, members are able to draw on the resources of their colleagues, educational specialists, and Harvard University faculty to supplement their practice and revitalize their schools. At the same time, members of The Principals' Center offer keen insight into school leadership and may share their knowledge and expertise in a number of different forums. Members may be asked to mentor aspiring principals, teach a component of a professional development institute, serve on The Principals' Center Advisory Board helping to shape upcoming programs, and, on some occasions, serve on panels or seminars offered by the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Practitioners have much to share and much to gain.
The Principals' Center offers the opportunities and the venues. Experience the collegiality of study groups, luncheons with faculty, time spent with distinguished authors and those all-important institutes presenting the latest in research and practice. The Principals' Center Summer Institutes, designed for school leaders from around the world, are held during July and offer practitioners ten invaluable days of study, reflection, and discourse with experts and school leaders who represent the best throughout the educational spectrum. Perpetually at the core of all of the Center's work is reflective practice, research, and a belief in schooling as a transformational force in children's lives. I will take the tools from the institute and work with others in my community to build a school where all kids can learn.