Educational Leadership

What kind of professional expertise and knowledge do you bring to the education classroom?
I am a graduate of Regis College, where I earned my B.A. in History and Education. I have 32 years of experience in K-12 public education, with the last 16 years as an assistant principal and principal at the high school level. My last 10 years I served as principal of Highlands Ranch High School. I have and continue to serve as a mentor for school leaders and am certified to facilitate workshops utilizing STEP (Student/Teacher Emergenetics Program).

In your opinion, what are the greatest strengths of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership: Principal Licensure program and the certificate program at Regis?
All faculty and staff have extensive experience in K-12 education. We strive to make learning relevant and applicable in leading K-12 schools and districts. Our program is flexible, offering blended programing for full-time K-12 teachers.

What are the key skills and/or experiences students gain in the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership: Principal Licensure program?
Our first goal is to help our students gain a better understanding of themselves and their presence as a leader. Our program is aligned with the Colorado Department of Education Principal/Leadership standards. We focus on helping our students understand all facets of leading a school or district, starting with the foundation of building a strong organizational culture. We then focus on the knowledge and skills needed to lead the day-to-day operations and instructional programming in a K-12 school or district.

What differentiates the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership: Principal Licensure from similar programs at other universities?
Our program is accelerated, meaning a teacher can earn an Educational Leadership Certificate and Colorado principal licensure in less than a year. Students have the choice to continue and earn a master’s degree in less than 15 months. We use Emergenetics, a thinking/behavior profile used to help students gain a better understanding of themselves and others. We use the profile to help our potential leaders with building and maintaining trust with those they lead.

What advice would you give to someone who’s considering finishing their degree, continuing their education, or pursuing a degree for the first time as an adult?
Most adults pursuing a degree in our program are also working full time. Time management is key to success; you have to be disciplined with a schedule of when you do schoolwork and studying. Make sure you communicate with your instructors and ask for help when you need it. Find your passion — this will make learning enjoyable and rewarding.