General Information and Application

San Diego Unified School District and University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences are pleased to announce the 2009 Science Teacher Leadership Academy. This intense 3-credit, 60-hour USD course is open to 80 SDUSD teachers who wish to build their own leadership capacity, instructional practices, and gain a deeper understanding of professional development that will support all students and teachers.

Please review the information below. If interested, please complete the application provided and return it to the Science Department before December 10, 2008.

• Academy Purposes
• Academy Outcomes
• Topics to be Addressed in Teacher Leadership Academy
• Teacher Commitments
• Teacher Acknowledgements
• Finacial Costs
• Application Process
• Location
• Academy Dates
• Download Information Packet and Application

• To build a community of advocates for science in San Diego Unified School District.
• To develop teacher leaders who facilitate science professional development at school sites.
• Enable teachers to deliver more effective science instruction that meets the needs of all students at school sites, both in their own classroom and school-wide.
• Establish collaborative relationships with site leadership and instructional leadership teams.

Academy participants will...	so that	the school site will be able to...
develop a shared vision of quality science education		develop a shared vision of quality science education.
review current research in science education and learn how to use data to make effective decisions		use data to identify a focus area for school improvement where professional development can have an impact on student achievement.
understand change theory and adult learners		develop a professional development plan for the site.
design high quality professional development modules		implement high quality professional development modules.
build facilitation skills through the use of scripts and protocols		work collaboratively to improve professional learning communities.
build skills in the use of evaluative tools		evaluate the impact of the professional development on teacher practice and student achievement.

Establishing a vision of a quality science education

• Linking the District vision for science to site implementation
• The impact of professional learning communities on teaching and learning

Teacher leadership

• Leadership styles
• Awareness of group dynamics
• The role of the teacher leader
• Modeling best practices

How to use data to make effective decisions

• Data analysis: using both student data and school data to make effective decisions and monitor progress towards the school’s goals
• SMART goals and strategic plans

Understanding change theory and adult learners

• Change Theory:  CBAM stages of concern, levels of use
• Building effective units of change:  Dealing with adult learners, Myers-Briggs, Norms of Collaboration, establishing professional learning communities, conflict management, dealing with resistance

Designing and implementing high quality professional development modules

• Identifying context and knowledge base for the design, understanding a variety of strategies (e.g., study groups, mentoring) and selecting those that meet the need
• Developing evaluation tools to monitor the professional development design
• Building facilitation skills through the use of scripts and protocols

Academy participants will be enrolled in a 60-hour USD leadership course (through USD Special Student Status) that will be co-taught and facilitated by University and District staff. Participants will be asked to complete assignments at home and at their school site.

Participants will earn 3-units of graduate credit (EDUC 586, 587, 588 Teacher Leaders in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education I, II, III) that can be used toward SDUSD salary advancement or further studies at USD for a M.Ed. in Math, Science, and Technology Education.

• Academy Certification of Completion.
• 3 credits of USD university coursework “Teacher Leaders in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education I, II, III” that can be used toward future USD coursework and for salary advancement.

The cost of tuition for Teacher Leadership Academy participants is $150/unit ($450 for the 3-unit Academy). This is a SUBSTANTIAL reduction of the regular cost of USD graduate coursework (currently $1,120/unit or $3,360 for three units). The cost of the graduate application submission to the university ($45) will be waived by USD.

Interested teachers should complete the Science Teacher Leadership Application available here . The application should be mailed or faxed to the Science Department on or before the December 10, 2008 deadline.

Selected participants will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the academy in early January, 2009. Orientation meetings will be scheduled in January at which time participants will receive the Application for Graduate Admission to USD.

Payment for coursework and academy participation ($450) will need to be paid when the Application for Graduate Admission is submitted. An official copy of all college transcripts must be submitted to the University of San Diego as part of the application process.

All coursework will be completed on the campus of the University of San Diego. Meeting locations will be given at the Orientation Meeting in January 2009.

Academy and Coursework Dates
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 (7:30am – 3:30pm) *
Saturday, March 14, 2009 (7:30am – 3:30pm)
Saturday, March 28, 2009 (7:30am – 3:30pm)
Thursday, May 28, 2009 (7:30am – 3:30pm) *
Monday, August 10, 2009 (7:30am – 3:30pm)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 (7:30am – 3:30pm)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 (7:30am – 3:30pm)
Thursday, August 13, 2009 (7:30am – 3:30pm)

Culmination Event and Reception
Thursday, August 13, 2009 (4:00-6:30pm)

* Visiting Teacher will be paid for by SDUSD Science Department.