Become certified to lead a new course developed by UMass Boston’s Institute for Early Education Leadership and Innovation and scaled through the StrongStart Professional Development Centers. The course, Instructional Leadership for Continuous Improvement in ECE, is part of the new Early Education Quality Improvement through Instructional Leadership (EQIIL) program funded by the Department of Early Education and Care.
What is the Instructional Leadership Course?
Instructional Leadership for Continuous Improvement in ECE is an evidence-based leadership development program for program leaders and their teaching teams from group child care and out of school time programs. Participants will learn about organizational change and strategies for continuous quality improvement. Throughout the course, teams will work together to identify a problem of practice related to quality teaching and learning in their program, develop a plan to make change, and take steps with their staff to put the plan into action.
What Is the Role of an Instructional Leadership Course Facilitator?
- Facilitators will lead the 10-week course and support teams with putting their quality improvement plans into action. Selected and certified instructors must commit to the following:
- Successfully complete a 30-hour facilitator certification program
- Facilitating the course for a total of 25 hours of synchronous instruction at least once per quarter.
- Co-facilitating with another PDC facilitator their first time implementing the course
- Participating in 3-hours of coaching from staff at the Institute for Early Education Leadership and Innovation
How will Facilitators be Certified?
If selected for the certification course, potential instructors will meet virtually for an intensive Facilitator Certification Program (FCP) that walks them through the curriculum and exercises that participants experience during the course, offers opportunities to practice facilitating, and engages them in reflection exercises. It is expected that participants in the certification program will engage in preparation, reading, and reflection between live sessions. Facilitators will be paid for a total of 33 hours of training, including the Facilitator Certification Program and three hours of coaching. Through participation in the certification program and subsequent successful assessment, candidates are eligible to be certified to become Instructional Leadership course facilitators. This will be a selective process, and those who do not become certified after this course will have future opportunities to participate and be reassessed.
The certification course schedule is as follows:
Option 1: Tuesday Evenings
Orientation – Orientation for all: Monday, 3/27 6-7:30
Weekly course sessions – Tuesdays, 6-8:30: 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6
One additional hour reserved for self-study and assessment
Option 2: Wednesday Evenings
Orientation – Orientation for all: Monday, 3/27 6-7:30
Weekly course sessions – Wednesday 6-8:30: 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7
One additional hour reserved for self-study & assessment
How do I apply?
Please review the course overview and facilitator requirements. Confirm your interest by emailing your PDC Coordinator and/or completing this application by March 15, 2023.
