Degree Date

6-2019

Document Type

Dissertation - Public Access

Degree Name

Ed.D. Doctor of Education

Academic Discipline

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Gloria McDaniel- Hall

Second Advisor

Dr. Harrington Gibson

Third Advisor

Dr. Kamau Rashid

Abstract

The role of the principal has changed drastically from what was once known as a building manager to an instructional leader. Principals are the key lever to creating professional development with teachers in order to improve teaching and learning. The single most important variable to student achievement is the quality of the teacher in the classroom ( Darling-Hammond, 2014). In order to ensure teacher quality, principals need to understand adult learning theory and professional development design. I am examining using Wagner’s 4C’s how principals’ understanding of PD design can impact staff perceptions, beliefs and teacher quality. This study also looked at through Wagner’s “as is” and “to be” framework, identifying leadership strategies needed transformation of the current professional development happening in Sunny Side School District. Making this leadership shift, however, demands, resources, time and support. Professional development for educators must encompass more than training teachers: it must also help principals acquire the skills necessary to be successful. There is a call for legislative changes where the federal government invest time and resources to provide sustained professional development for teachers and school leaders.

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