Dothan City Schools Recognizes Aspiring Leaders Program Participants
The Aspiring Leaders Program is a step on the Developing Leaders path in Dothan City Schools.
DOTHAN, Ala. – Dothan City Schools recognized district teachers and staff members who participated in Dothan City School’s first Aspiring Leaders Program cohort. The Aspiring Leaders Program is a step on the Developing Leaders path in Dothan City Schools. Underpinning the program is the belief that deep awareness of self is required to be an effective leader. Therefore, participants engage in clarifying their strengths, developing their ability to manage self, and engaging the practice of leadership through a reflective and intentional pursuit.
The program, which is the first of its kind in Southeast Alabama school districts backed by the Alabama State Department of Education with credentialed professional development units, focuses on a multi-facet learning and understanding of self as it pertains to leadership and developing their pedagogy. During the 2022-2023 school there were 16 participants who ranged in educational positions across the district, eight of those participants are currently working in a leadership capacity.
"One of my immediate goals for Dothan City Schools was to implement an internal training platform for leaders within the district. The Dothan City Schools Leadership Academy was designed to properly train and equip our schools leaders to be more productive members of our team,” says Superintendent Dr. Dennis Coe. “This initiative has grown to also include support leaders and aspiring leaders. Our aspiring leaders are our next generation of principals, assistant principals, directors, supervisors, and hopefully superintendents! We are excited for the future opportunities of all of our aspiring leaders, and have the utmost confidence that their sharpened skills will result in continued improvement for our schools. We are extremely proud of this year's cohort!"
Participants were required to attend sessions highlighting leadership topics including culture and climate, strategic operations, human resources and instructional best practices. Participants were also required to conduct an action research project in their school and serve as Mentor Leads in the New Teacher Induction Academy.
“Although the initial training is complete, the Aspiring Leaders Cohort will continue to grow in their leadership development as they attend upcoming professional development sessions alongside district administrators. I feel that we are creating a strong pathway toward leadership for our employees who are seeking administrative positions.” notes Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Maria Johnson.
Applications for the 2023-2024 Cohort 2 opened in the Spring of 2023. Cohort 2 will begin their training this summer.
2022-2023 Aspiring Leaders Cohort Participants:
Vantney Alums
Teacher
Dothan Preparatory Academy
Ashley Braswell
Teacher
Morris Slingluff Elementary School
Krystol (Nikki) Cochran
Instructional Coach
DCS Head Start
Shannon Cook
Instructional Coach
Hidden Lake Primary School
Dr. Peppi Cooper
Teacher
Dothan City Virtual School
Dr. Kristen Dawkins
Instructional Coach
Carver School for Math, Science and Technology
U’Rosia Faulk
Instructional Coach
Heard Elementary School
Jeaneva Mitchell
Assistant Principal
Kelly Springs Elementary School
Celeste Morehead
Counselor
Carver 9th Grade Academy
Donna Norwalk
Teacher
Girard Intermediate School
Vincent Owens
Teacher
Carver 9th Grade Academy
Anika Pippin
Teacher
Morris Slingluff Elementary School
Amanda Smith
Instructional Coach
Highlands Elementary School
Dr. Nichole Thomas
Teacher
Carver 9th Grade Academy
Robert Watson
Teacher
PASS Academy
