Administrative Intern Program
A
program that provides teachers
interested in becoming principals a
school year administrative
experience with veteran principals
in their school community.
Links
to Content:
Demonstration
Site: Bristol
Warren Regional School District
Target Population:
Local aspiring principals/teacher leaders
Need and Intent:
To expand the opportunities for and to enhance the quality of
district leadership.
Implementation Guide:
Recruitment: Intern positions are advertised throughout
the district and applications are made available to all teachers
in all grade levels. Successful applicants must be principal
certified or in a principal preparation program. Veteran principal
mentors are selected by the superintendent. (there is no stipend
for this role).
Prep: Interns meet with their mentor principal in
August for 1-2 days to plan for the year and define each other’s
role. During the first year of the program, interns served the
role of “principal” in small schools in the district
while their mentor was in a nearby school . The veteran principal
was considered the principal of record for both schools. In
addition, a number of interns served at the high school.
Program: The program is for one year after which the
intern’s options include continuing on at the internship
school as its new principal or assistant principal, returning
to teaching until there is another principal opening in the
district, or moving to another district for promotional purposes.
The internship serves as field hours for an administrator certification
program. Due to a lack of funding for substitutes, formal mentoring
occurs during personal and planning time.
Tips for Implementation:
- During the preparation phase it is helpful for the intern
and mentor to review “what if’s” to make
sure they are on the same page about how the internship will
work.
- It is best to open the program to all levels but ensure
that the mentor and intern serve the same level.
- It is important to have the mentor principals at the table
during intern interviews and allow them input to which teacher
is chosen as their intern.. However, the superintendent makes
the final decision. The correct match is very important and
can be a crucial factor in the success of the program.
- There must be a commitment to promote interns when possible.
Case Study:
As a result of the district’s administrative
intern program, the first intern to participate in the program
was chosen to be the principal of a middle school upon the retirement
of the veteran principal. There is a second intern serving at
an elementary school who had been working with the principal
of another elementary school. There is extensive construction
at this second school that will add significant classroom space.
The increased population of students will open an assistant
principal position that may provide a potential promotional
opportunity for the intern.
“This program has provided an incubator
for aspiring leaders.”
– Dr. Mara, Superintendent
Contact for More Information:
Name: Dr. Edward Mara
Job Title: Superintendent
Role in Project: Initiator
Phone: (401) 253-4000
E-mail: marae@bw.k12.ri.us
Address: 151 State St., Bristol, RI 02809