SAIL for Education

Taking Your Career to the Next Level

A Q&A with SAI

L for Educatio

/CUC

Stud

t K

y Shac ford

Tell us a bit about yourself and why you decided to enter the principal preparation program at SAIL for Education/Concordia University Chicago (CUC)?

My name is Kelsey Shackelford and I am in my sixth year of teaching as an Intervention Specialist at Zanesville High School. I initially decided to enter the principal preparation program at CUC because of the convenience of the online courses and the affordable tuition. As I started to dig deeper into the required courses, I learned that the program aligned with the Ohio Standards for Principals and provided real-world experiences of administrative responsibilities. This assured me that CUC was the right choice for me.

Through your program, you are required to take a number of online courses prior to internship. Tell us about your experience with those?

The online courses that were required before the internship were crucial. Each course aligned with a different aspect or situation that you will come across during your internship or as a future administrator. All courses were rigorous, structured, and well organized. I found that by following the syllabus, completing the readings, and checking the provided rubrics it was simple to be successful in the courses. All the professors that I had were responsive and provided meaningful feedback on all assignments. It really wasn’t until I was in the midst of the internship, that I realized how well the courses prepared me and provided the background knowledge I needed to be successful as an administrator.

As you entered your internship, what concerns or misgivings did you have about stepping into a leadership role at your school? How did you feel after you actually started the internship?

My biggest concern was that the internship would be overwhelming to manage alongside my regular teaching duties. After the internship began, I found myself quickly adjusting to the new change of pace. Just like any administrative position, the internship requires strong time management and organizational skills. It was also extremely helpful and reassuring to me to have the support of a University Supervisor that I could check in with regularly or have questions answered promptly.

What new skills and/or experiences did you have that are beneficial to you now and in the future?

One experience that was beneficial to me now was the professional network I built throughout the program. The majority of the courses that I took were relatively small, and my internship cohort group only had five other interns. This allowed us to really get to know each other, collaborate, and help problem-solve situations or project issues. We supported each other through setbacks of our internship, and I am grateful for those connections that I still have today.

Throughout the program, how did you manage your time to assure you were able to complete the program successfully?

It was important for me to set a schedule and stick to it right from the beginning of the program. This schedule became routine for two years and consisted of allocating a set time of the day where I would log in and work. I never felt that the workload was too much; it was just a matter of being disciplined and organized.

What was your biggest takeaway from the program overall?

One of the biggest takeaways from the program for me was the confidence that I gained within myself. As I made my way through the courses and learned all the different aspects of educational leadership, I realized that I do have what it takes to become an administrator. I started the program thinking it was a long-term goal. After completing it, I feel so well-prepared that I have the confidence to take on an administrative position now.

Interested in finding out more about SAIL for Education/Concordia University Chicago? Email info@sailforeducation.org to learn more about the educational offerings of the program.

Ready for the next step in your career? OAESA has you covered with our SAIL/CUC Graduate Programs

Apply now to reserve your seat! EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

-Principal Licensure: MA | Licensure | PhD/EdD -Teacher Leader: MA | Endorsement | PhD/EdD -Superintendent: Licensure | PhD/EdD

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

-100% of SAIL/CUC students successfully c ompleted their internship in 2018-2019 -SAIL/CUC had the largest population of principa l interns in the state in 2018-2019 -Simple, streamlined application process -Up to 50% transfer credits considered -MA degrees can be completed in 2 years -Approved by the Ohio Dept. of Higher Ed. -Aligned with standards for Ohio Educators & Principa ls

Contact us today to get started!

info@sailforeducation.org 888.964.SAIL