The Schools Foundation Announces First Principally Speaking Network Program of 2012

Huntsville, Ala. – On Thursday, January 19, The Schools Foundation, in conjunction with Dynetics, will host Leadership that Produces Positive Effects, a Principally Speaking Network (PSN) professional development program for principals throughout 12 school systems in North Alabama. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Dynetics located 1002 Explorer Blvd. Dr. Todd Whitaker, a leading motivational speaker in the field of education, will be the keynote speaker. Whitaker is also the author of the books Motivating and Inspiring Teachers and Shifting the Monkey and a nationally recognized leader in education. More than 80 principals from throughout North Alabama are expected to attend.

PSN is professional development program with business leaders and elected officials that creates a true public-private partnership in support of public school education. PSN is open to all K-12 principals in public schools in Huntsville, Madison County, Madison City, Athens City, Limestone County, Attalla City, Etowah County, Gadsden City, Scottsboro, Jackson County, De Kalb County, and Ft. Payne.

With support from a $10,000 grant provided by Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama, PSN helps principals enhance leadership skills and build a network in which ideas are shared and principals are encouraged to learn from each other, focusing on improving performance of all teachers.

“Principally Speaking is an exceptional program for principals that are available at no cost to the local school systems. This public –private partnership comes at a time when funding is critical to support our school leaders. Principally Speaking gives them the opportunity to fine tune and strengthen their leadership skills,” said Mary Scott Hunter, District 8 Alabama School Board Member.

According to Tim Singleton, The Schools Foundation chair, area principals have built a collaborative network over the past two years, “Principals can learn a lot from each other. We believe that one way to improve a school is by having a great school principal. We are pleased to have the financial partnerships to support this expansion to all twelve school systems in District 8.”

The goals of the PSN is to increase student achievement by improving teacher effectiveness; increase the effectiveness of the principal as the instructional leader in the school; build a sustainable network of support and collaboration among school principals; and develop strategies for successful resolution of school leadership issues.

Public and private partners of The Schools Foundation for this program include:

· Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama

· The Boeing Company

· Dynetics

· Joe Still Building Company

· Alabama State School Board Representative, District 8, Mary Scott Hunter (Madison, Limestone, Jackson, DeKalb, and Etowah counties)

· Alabama State Senator, District 10, Phil Williams, (Cherokee and Etowah counties)

· Alabama State Representative, District 21, Jim Patterson (Madison County)

· Alabama State Representative, District 10 , Mike Ball (Madison County)

· Alabama State Senator, District 8, Shadrick McGill (Jackson , DeKalb, Madison counties)

· Alabama State Representative, District 23, John Robinson (Jackson County)

· Alabama State Representative, District 22 , Wayne Johnson (Jackson, Madison counties)

· Jackson County Commissioner, Horace Clemmons, District 4

· North Alabama Educators Credit Union

· Wireless Generation

Principally Speaking Network

Leadership That Creates Positive Effects with Dr. Todd Whitaker

Principally Speaking Network (PSN) is a model of professional development designed to strengthen leadership skills and to build a sustainable network of professional support among principals. Through a series of meetings designed to enhance leadership skills, principals focus on leadership practices that increase academic achievement for students. PSN provides the opportunity to examine student achievement data and discuss successful approaches to improvement in a collegial, peer environment. Bill Kennedy of the Public Education Foundation of Chattanooga serves as the Program Lead Facilitator.

Participants include more than 180- educational leaders from public school in the following Alabama school systems: Madison, Madison County, Huntsville, Limestone County, Athens City, Etowah, Attalla, Gadsden, Jackson County, Scottsboro City.

In 2010, the program received the endorsement of District 8 State School Board Representative Mary Scott Hunter. The expansion of PSN to all public school systems in District Eight (8) begins January 19, 2012, with a program delivered by author and nationally known education leader, Dr. Todd Whitaker.

"Leadership That Creates Positive Classroom Effects" focuses on Todd Whitaker's books and materials that are directly related to the topic with practical application by each participant. Dr. Whitaker will present a 5-hour session on January 19, 2012, 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The presentation will address his recent book, Shifting the Monkey as well as Motivating and Inspiring Teachers. Both books will be available for sale to participants at a discounted rate. Two follow-up sessions will provide participants the opportunity to meet the requirements for a PLU.