Heads of Schools Program Brochure

RENEW PASSION YOUR

Have you been dreaming of an opportunity to step outside the day-to-day challenges of leading your school to find professional reinvigoration and personal renewal?

The Klingenstein Center’s Heads of Schools Program offers a unique opportunity to spend two weeks with a cohort of independent and international school heads who understand what it takes to lead. You’ll build connections with one another and learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives through coursework, readings, case studies, school visits, and discussions. You’ll return to your school with fresh ideas and renewed vision, connections to colleagues who are just a phone call, email, or Zoom meeting away, and revitalized passion and energy to lead.

Unique and Useful

The Heads Program was a unique experience! What made it unique was a combination of the intellectual depth of the program, discussions about the relevance of theoretical thought for our strategic work as school leaders, as well as sheer practicality of sharing, listening, and consulting with colleagues. I find the experience reoccurringly useful in my daily work as a school head.

Marta Medved Krajnovic, Heads ‘17, Western Academy of Bejing, China

Purposeful

The Klingenstein Heads of School Program was the best professional development that I have ever participated in as a Head of School. While there is never a “good” time to be away from school, the time spent with amazing colleagues from all over the world was worth every second. We worked hard, learned tons, and felt connected as kindred spirits because of the shared sense of purpose and excitement around our work. This experience has added years onto my career, and I truly believe that my time at Klingenstein has made me a better educator!

James Calleroz White, Heads ‘15, Galloway School, GA

Transformational

The Klingenstein Center is an exceptional, life changing program for Heads of Schools. It’s an oasis where school heads from around the world can gather and unplug from the fast and furious day-to-day, cultivate meaningful relationships with one another, and replenish the mind, body, and spirit. The fellowship felt like a retreat, surrounded by peer mentors, sharing our beliefs in a crowdsourcing format that allowed for knowledge to be reinforced, reflected on, and retained. I walked away transformed, armed with courage, passion, and know-how for lifelong self-innovation. I recommend the program to all school heads.

Catarina Song Chen, Heads ‘17, The American School of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Powerful

It was such a gift to get away from school, connect with thoughtful leaders and reflect on our practice. How do we lead for inclusion? How can we listen in new ways to get different results? How can we leverage the group to think through leadership challenges specific to our school? These rich discussions, supported by experts across the field, created both a powerful learning experience in New York City and a prized new network of friends.

Mark Wenzel, Heads ‘22, Stamford American School, Singapore

Return Refreshed

Balancing multiple constituencies and competing commitments is an aroundthe-clock job for heads of schools. Through the Heads of School Program, reconnect to what originally drew you to the profession, connect with colleagues who understand the role, and return to your school refreshed and ready to resume this essential work.

THE EXPERIENCE

The demands of running a school can leave little time for meaningful reflection, professional learning, and personal development. The Klingenstein Center established the two-week, fully funded fellowship for heads of school to meet these needs through an immersive program of academic study and collegial connection. Guided by outstanding professors, participants consider both foundational questions and current issues facing independent and international schools. Using their collective wisdom and experiences, they hone their individual visions, reconnect with their passion for education, and form lifelong connections with a diverse group of fellow leaders from around the world.

SAMPLE TOPICS

• The Psychology of Organizational Change

• The Metaphors and Mental Models We Lead By

• Listening Leadership

• Environmental Sustainability and Our Schools

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

• Academic engagement through reading, discussion, collaboration, and reflection

• Visits to NYC schools

• Joint case study seminars with Klingenstein Center master’s program students

NYC IMMERSION

• Full access to Columbia University resources

• Cohort cultural outings to museums and performances

• Cohort dinners and time to connect with colleagues

The Klingenstein Center is part of Teachers College, one of the thirteen graduate and professional schools of Columbia University. Located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of New York City, Teachers College enjoys full access to the libraries and resources of Columbia University and the rich cultural and recreational opportunities of this exciting city. As one of the leading graduate schools of education in the world, Teachers

College has been committed for over 125 years to preparing the next generation of leaders in education, improving practice in educational institutions, engaging in research on the central issues facing education, and shaping public debate and public policy in education. In addition to all that the campus offers, the program takes advantage of New York City’s theaters, restaurants, and museums.

Innovative

My experience with the Klingenstein Heads Program was completely transformative! Renewing myself as an educator in this setting with other Heads of School was just what I needed at this point in my career. I was truly able to think of myself as a lifelong learner and return to my school with innovative ideas to share, questions to ponder with faculty, and strong relationships with my Klingenstein cohort that I know will last a lifetime.

‘18,

Cindi Gibbs-Wilborn, Heads

Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School, Washington, DC

Meaningful

I really appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Klingenstein Heads Program. It provided time and space to explore and reflect on being a leader in education, in a beautiful location. I appreciated connecting and developing relationships with other heads and it was inspiring to share stories. Our cohort continued to meet regularly after the program to offer support during the pandemic, and we continue to stay connected. This was one of the most meaningful, memorable, and long-lasting professional growth experiences I’ve participated in!

Karrie Dietz, Heads ‘20, Stamford American School, Hong Kong

Reflective

The Klingenstein Heads Program served as a mini-sabbatical of sorts. In addition to broadening my network of Heads colleagues to a worldwide one, it gave me the time to reflect on and grow my leadership, think about and hone my educational philosophy, and see more clearly my vision for my current school.

Steve Morris, Heads ‘17, San Francisco School, CA

Energizing

I will long treasure the glorious two weeks I spent with my fellow heads at Klingenstein. The head of school role is a lonely one, but—during the program—my cup spilled over. The opportunity to spend time with colleagues who have had similar experiences and are creatively confronting the same challenges was invaluable. I returned from Klingenstein refreshed, energized, and full of hope for the profession. Take this time to think, laugh, and work with some of the most talented people you’ll ever meet.

Danny O’Brien, Heads

‘20, Putney

School, VT

Heads of Schools Program Overview Admissions Requirements

Deadline: April 15

A fully-funded two-week fellowship aimed at renewal through meaningful study and collaboration among heads of independent and international schools from across the United States and around the world.

• Beginning in late January

• Cohort of twenty school heads

• At Teachers College, Columbia University - New York City

Applicants must • be a current Head of an independent or international school and plan to continue as a Head upon completion of the program, and • hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Klingenstein Heads of Schools Program is a non-degree program of Teachers College, Columbia University. Applicants complete an online application to Teachers College and must meet all requirements of the college. The online application for the Klingenstein Heads of Schools Program requires short essays, a resume, and official copies of all post-secondary transcripts. Applicants who completed undergraduate or graduate study at institutions outside the United States must also submit a course-by-course evaluation from either World Education Service (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) and may be required to submit additional documentation.

klingenstein@tc.columbia.edu 212.678.3156 klingensteincenter.org

About The Klingenstein Center Teachers College, Columbia University

The Klingenstein Center was founded in 1977. The mission of the Center is to develop and strengthen leadership among teachers and administrators in independent and international schools.

The Klingenstein Center’s carefully crafted programs draw on the resources of Teachers College and Columbia University to provide the knowledge, skill, and understanding necessary for informed and effective practice. In an age in which educators are called upon to understand both the business of school management and the moral purpose of educating youth, the Klingenstein Center stands alone in its capacity to develop leaders for independent and international schools.

Klingenstein Center programs for independent school educators

SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR EARLYCAREER TEACHERS

A fully-funded, two-week fellowship focusing on improving teaching practice for educators with 2-5 years of classroom experience.

MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS

• Full-Year (September-May) Master’s Degree in Private School Leadership

• Two-Summers (June-July) Master’s Degree in Private School Leadership

• MA/MBA Dual Degree from Teachers College and Columbia Business School, NYC or INSEAD in France or Singapore

FORGE

A yearlong learning and coaching engagement to support change leadership in schools.