Abstract
In this chapter, the authors describe the emergence of a college of education leadership, exploration, and development (CoE LEAD) program drawing from research in the fields of educational leadership, grow your own leadership, and communities of practice. Showcasing four case studies, the authors highlight their reasons for joining the program, their definition of leadership, particularly impactful CoE LEAD engagement activities, and subsequent faculty leadership projects that supported the college of education pillars. Additionally, this chapter is situated within the educator's continuum as it focuses on the themes of leadership development, equity-focused leadership, and collaborative leadership models.
TopBackground
When the new Dean arrived at the College of Education in 2019, he realized the need for leadership development, new initiatives, and filling vacant positions. He did not have what he called a bench of people who were poised or willing to step into those roles. So, the Dean began discussions with his leadership team to create strategies to develop this bench of individuals. The goal for this program was to create opportunity for people to begin to talk about leadership, think about themselves as leaders and how they might lead, and empower others to lead. After one semester, the Dean launched a GYO leadership program within the college. Table 1 shows the administrators’ planning timeline in preparation for launching the program.
Table 1. Timeline for planning the CoE LEAD program
| Month | Task |
| September 2019 | Dean discussed with college leadership, and the need to identify individuals for future leadership roles |
| January 2020 | Assistant Dean was appointed to develop and lead CoE LEAD |
| February 2020 | Applications for CoE LEAD participation were sent to all faculty and staff in the college |
| March 2020 | Participants were selected to participate in CoE LEAD |
| August 2020 - May 2021 | CoE LEAD cohort 1 met |
Key Terms in this Chapter
Pillars: The College of Education has six areas of interest to create knowledge that benefits society. The six pillars include diversity, equity, and inclusion, teaching and learning, global frameworks, engagement with public schools, undergraduate research, and leadership preparation.
StrengthsFinder: An online assessment that individuals can pay to take that provides an individual with their top five talents. It is suggested that individuals should focus on developing their top five talents versus trying to improve their weaknesses.
College of Education Leadership, Exploration, and Development Program: A program composed of faculty and staff who engage in leadership development activities to learn the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of educational leadership.
Community Of Practice: A group of people who routinely gather to learn based on a common purpose.
Grow Your Own Leadership Program: An educational institution that invests in its own faculty and staff by providing a professional learning program to teach the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to move into leadership positions.
Global Virtual Exchange: A process through which learners develop self-awareness and cultural competence as individuals in social contexts that are situated in local and global environments; occurs through digital connections and conversations with people from differing culture(s).
Virginia New Teacher Support Program: This university-based induction program, funded by the Virginia Department of Education in partnership with two state institutions, supports early-career teachers in their first three years of teaching by matching them with VANTSP coaches. Coaches are highly effective teachers identified by school divisions within the state.
Young Children’s Center: An early care and education program with the objective of nurturing children socially, emotionally, and cognitively and improving outcomes for children and their families.