School Site Leaders who work with Principals’ Professional Learning: Needs, Opportunities & Insights

• In Event: Transformational Leadership Growth and Critical Consciousness: Learning Across Sectors, Systems, and States

Abstract

This paper shares the preliminary findings of a mixed-methods study conducted to investigate the experiences, perspectives and needs of site leaders who work with principals as they relate to the impact and availability of professional learning opportunities. The first stage of this study used qualitative interviews with site leaders which were then utilized to develop a state-wide, representative survey to explore the job functions and opportunities for professional learning of site leaders who work with principals. Preliminary findings are discussed related to both formal and informal professional learning opportunities experienced by this group of leaders, as well as the perceived utility of these experiences. Implications for future research, policy and practice related to our findings are discussed.

Authors

• Rebecca Cheung, University of California - Berkeley

• Melissa Itzel Virrueta-Peters, University of California - Berkeley

• Jessica G. Rigby, University of Washington

• Annie Wilhelm, Southern Methodist University