WHY BECOME A NC PRINCIPAL FELLOW?
I know of few scarier things in life than trying to perform a task for which you are unprepared, and therefore, unable to perform. When you add to that the importance of educating today’s children, it is inarguable that proper training for school administrators is paramount to successfully leading instruction in the 21st century classroom. I cannot imagine taking on the role of assistant principal or principal without the real-world preparation gained through participation in North Carolina ’s Principal Fellows Program. In the many different roles I have taken on in the past 9 years, I relied extensively on the foundation laid in the coursework, and the subsequent application in the internship to guide decision-making at every level. PFP allowed me to grow in ways that I would have never thought possible. GUS GILLESPIE, UNC-Ch, 1998, Cohort 3, Principal Fellows Program
Being a North Carolina Principal Fellow enabled me to develop a comprehensive understanding of the leadership role in today's schools. Strengthening this understanding of leadership, the Principal Fellows Program provided tremendous and diverse opportunities for all participants to explore, discover, and experience the role of the leader in North Carolina 's school. These experiences granted me the ability and confidence to take an active leadership role as principal upon completion of the program. JULIE MORROW, Class 5, UNC-Charlotte
Unequivocally the best leadership development program that I have participated in, including three advanced level leadership programs during a twenty-four year career in the United States Army. The availability of the Principal Fellows scholarship program made it possible for me to earn a Master School Administration degree. JAMES M. OGLESBY, CLASS 4, UNC-Charlotte
The Principal Fellows Program prepared me for the awesome responsibility and challenges that face school leaders today. During my experience as a Principal Fellow I took advantage of the many, many enhancement opportunities that were available to me. I also met many extraordinary educators and fellow aspiring principals during my two-year training period, from across this state and nation. I take great pride in being a Principal Fellow as I share my experiences and the benefits of this program with others. JANICE LEWIS, Class 3, UNC-Charlotte
The Principal Fellows Program affords aspiring school administrators the opportunity for one year to focus strictly on leadership theory and its application to the public school setting. During the second year the program offers the chance to apply these theories within the domain of an internship experience. The Principal Fellows Program provides for a network of school administrators to share their successes and not so great successes with each other. As a result, we have been able to gain valuable insight into what may or may not work at our particular school. TOM HATCH ,Class 4, FSU
The Principal Fellows Program is about total immersion into educational leadership. This immersion provided me the opportunity to be a full-time graduate student. Thus allowing me to concentrate all of my energy and talents on the academic side of becoming a learning-centered leader. Moreover, it afforded me an eye-opening, K-12 experience, called the yearlong internship, in which I was exposed to the "nuts and bolts" of creating a successful learning environment. In short, the Principal Fellows Program has given me all the tools I'll need to become a successful administrator. KELVIN CYRUS ,Class 5, ECU.
I owe a great deal of my good fortune to the Principal Fellows Program. Thanks to the opportunity to be part of a Fellows cohort I am confident and secure in my current role as an elementary assistant principal. The rigorous theoretical and practical training and the extracurricular activities of the program prepared me to take on this incredible responsibility. PEDRO BRICENO ,Class 4, UNC-Charlotte.
Being a NC Principal Fellow to network with administrators and organizations across the state. The NC Principal Fellows Commission invests many resources in the cohorts which allow the PFs to receive training in areas specific to their needs (grant writing, sensitivity training, and exposure to a variety of observation models). The experience gained while in a cohort remains with you during your administrative career. MISTY WALKER, Class 5, East Carolina University ,Graduated May 2000
The Principal Fellows Program enhanced both my personal and professional success in education. It allowed me to work with educational visionaries as instructors. I was given a solid curricular foundation upon which an experiential internship framework began to form my role as an architect of educational change, and a leader of the future. (Anne Marie is Environmental Educator of the Year-2005 and the second year Principal of an honors school of excellence at Piedmont Middle School in Union County Schools.) ANNE MARIE RADKE, Class 3, UNC-Charlotte, Graduated May 1998
The PFP has made a significant impact on my career as a school administrator. The combination of the on-going professional development opportunities and the scholarship loan, which allowed me two focused years of university preparation and internship, have better prepared me to face the challenges of school leadership. I enjoyed meeting you and look forward to working with you in the future. Best of luck in the new year! DAVID KERSHNER, PFP Class 8, UNC-Chapel Hill, Graduated May 1998
The Principal Fellows Program was a wonderful experience for me. I was able to focus full time on the academics then have a yearlong internship which provided me with valuable real world experiences. Through The Program, I have made connections with administrators all over the state and as a result, have a huge network of people to use as resources. Friendships formed during the program sustained me then and continue to support me now. KIM MITCHELL Class 8 Cohort 6, UNC-Chapel Hill, Graduated May 1998
Thanks to all the members of the Principal Fellows team for the outstanding support that they have continued to give me as a graduate of class 8. There is no finer program for teachers that wish to become administrators in North Carolina 's school systems. The training and support have been outstanding all across the board. HERMAN SHROEDER Class 8,
During the last several years, I have participated in the interviewing of many candidates for Assistant Principal positions. My committees and I have noted a difference in the level of preparation and quality of candidates who have completed the full-year released from other duties internship and those who have performed an internship of a number of specified hours before school, after-school and or during summer school. There is a great difference in the level of understanding of those who have had the full range of experiences provided by the full-time internship. Those having had the full-time internship exhibit a higher level of skill and information. They are stronger candidates. Those having had the full-time internship have been highly competitive and the more successful candidates. When candidates have the opportunity, they should not shortchange themselves. (Ms) HAZEL GIBBS Executive Director, Human Resources, Chapel Hill- Carrboro City City Schools
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