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Certified Instructional Leader Credentials Awarded
In 2013, the CLAS Board of Directors established the Certified Instructional Leader (CIL) program. This program is designed to identify school or district administrators who demonstrate the knowledge and skills which are essential to the practice of effective instructional leadership.
For the eleventh year of this program, 17 participants were selected after an extensive application and review process. The 2023-2024 cohort began in June 2023 with quarterly face-toface meetings. Candidates were required to implement learned content in their school and/or district and meet benchmarks on student growth and achievement, school culture, strategic management, effective instructional practices, and ethical leadership.
A CIL Commission was established to be an independent certifying body, which is responsible for the governance of the program, policies, and standards related to the CIL credential. This unique CIL program is administered by members of the CLAS staff who implement the policies. The CIL faculty delivers the identified content.
After completing extensive coursework and providing evidence of systemic, systemized, job-embedded implementation for competent instructional leadership, CIL participants met with the CIL Commission to determine their CIL credential status as “Accepted” or “Not Accepted: Revisions Needed.”
Ramona Robinson and Dr. Linda Felton-Smith served as faculty members. The 2023 CIL Commission members were Veronica Coleman, Rebecca Dunnivant, Charles Gardner, Jason Golden, April McCutcheon, La’Keisha Newsome, Orletta Rush, and Alice Turney.
If you are interested in pursuing the Certified Instructional Leader (CIL) credential, please visit the CIL webpage at clasleaders.org/CIL for detailed information. The application process will open in April for the 2025-2026 cohort.
The Certified Instructional Leader credentials are awarded annually during the Awards Luncheon at the CLAS Convention.The following individuals received their Certified Instructional Leader credential this year:
Daniel Barrentine
George W. Long High School Dale County Schools
LaQuita Coleman
Myrtlewood Elementary School Tuscaloosa County Schools
Zachary Holt
Caldwell Elementary School Scottsboro City Schools
Laura Sims
Glencoe Elementary School Etowah County Schools
Kristy Towns
Whitesboro Elementary School Etowah County Schools
Robby Vinzant
Lawrence County Career Tech Center Lawrence County Schools
James Williams
Dothan Preparatory Academy Dothan City Schools
Kimberly Williams
Saraland Early Education Center Saraland City Schools
