by William Silky, Ed.D.

Representatives of the Department of Education recently unveiled a unique program designed to develop teachers’ capacity to become leaders as they work with a mentor and attend workshops, seminars and meetings related to this topic.

The yearlong program, which was designed in consultation with officials from the North Syracuse School District and its teachers’ association, is being further developed to include school administrators, as well. Le Moyne officials are also talking to their peers and the Onondaga-Cortland- Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services and at several school districts outside of the area about expanding the program’s geographic reach.

The teacher-leader program began in the summer of 2012 with 12 teachers and three mentors. They are:

Mentor: Alicia Pissuto
Teachers: Linda Earle, Tina Chmielewski,Ann Lorenzini and Christopher Leahey

Mentor: Donna Marie Norton
Teachers: Renee McFalls, Shannon Knapp,Jack McAndrew and Jennifer Sullivan

Mentor: Dave Lunden
Teachers: Julie Biondolillo, Kim Kennedy, Amy Stephenson and Kristine Waterbury

Department officials are also considering establishing a joint Master of Business Administration/Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership Program. This potential partnership between the Department of Education and Madden School of Business would lead to a 60-plus credit graduate degree program that would prepare graduates to enter the private or public business sector.

Beyond that, department officials are pursuing a statewide School District Business Leader Certificate that would be offered in conjunction with the New York State Association of Business Officials. This program would be offered using synchronous and asynchronous formats, as well as on weekends and during weeklong summer seminars.