Leader Developers: Perspectives of Mentor Principals in an Administrator Preparation Program

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Leader Developers: Perspectives of Mentor Principals in an Administrator Preparation Program
Language: English
Authors: Virella, Patricia M., Cobb, Casey D.
Source: Journal of Educational Supervision. 2022 5(3):81-99.
Availability: University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. 334 Merrill Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Web site: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/jes/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Administrator Education, Mentors, Principals, Supervision, Practicums, Internship Programs, Transformative Learning, Metacognition, Goal Orientation, Mastery Learning, Administrator Effectiveness, Readiness
Abstract: Principal preparation programs use various components to develop candidates, including coursework, core assessments, and field-based internships or practicums. The internship represents an exceptionally high leverage learning opportunity (Lochmiller, 2014). The success of the internship depends highly on the abilities of a mentor via informal instructional supervision. Mette (2020) explains that supervision has a potential transformational quality. This study explores mentorships in a university principal preparation program through the mentor's perspective. We interviewed a sample of mentors nominated as effective by peer and program informants. We learned that mentors were deliberate in developing three specific skills --metacognitive ability, developmental efficacy, and learning-oriented goal setting. Mentor principals described these three elements as paramount to master before becoming a principal. We discuss implications for principal preparation programs to use mentors as informal instructional supervisors and develop highly effective school principals.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2023
Accession Number: EJ1372275
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Principal preparation programs use various components to develop candidates, including coursework, core assessments, and field-based internships or practicums. The internship represents an exceptionally high leverage learning opportunity (Lochmiller, 2014). The success of the internship depends highly on the abilities of a mentor via informal instructional supervision. Mette (2020) explains that supervision has a potential transformational quality. This study explores mentorships in a university principal preparation program through the mentor's perspective. We interviewed a sample of mentors nominated as effective by peer and program informants. We learned that mentors were deliberate in developing three specific skills --metacognitive ability, developmental efficacy, and learning-oriented goal setting. Mentor principals described these three elements as paramount to master before becoming a principal. We discuss implications for principal preparation programs to use mentors as informal instructional supervisors and develop highly effective school principals.