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Springdale celebrates first cohort of Aspiring Administrator Academy participants
Summary
The district presented certificates to participants in its first Aspiring Administrator Academy (A3), a year-long program designed to prepare staff for school leadership roles; participants described shadowing, monthly sessions and mock interviews.
Springdale School District recognized the first cohort of its Aspiring Administrator Academy (A3) at the April 8 board meeting, presenting certificates to more than two dozen participants who completed the year-long program.
District presenters said the A3 program launched last year to "grow the capacity of aspiring principals to lead with confidence and competence." The program's stated mission is to provide transparent, relevant learning experiences, usable tools, networking and problem-solving practice for staff pursuing administrative roles.
Presenters described a competitive application process and monthly academy sessions that included shadowing administrators, attending sporting events and in-district activities, hearing from district leaders and participating in mock interviews. Speakers said the cohort included instructional facilitators, school psychology specialists and other certificated staff from across grade levels and school sites.
Two participants addressed the board. Jose Luna, a school psychology specialist with Springdale Public Schools since 2022, said the academy gave him firsthand insight into assistant-principal responsibilities and helped him frame his work through that lens. "It provided such a unique perspective of what they have going on day to day," Luna told the board, noting he attended a basketball game with a mentor and benefited from sessions on special education and ESL.
Heather Miller, an instructional facilitator at George Elementary, said the experience allowed her to shadow administrators, network with colleagues and gain practical advice and "real world experiences" that she expects will help if she pursues an administrative position.
District staff presented certificates to participants and mentors by cohorts; organizers said participants would take part in mock interviews immediately following the meeting. Administration thanked district leaders, mentors and central-office staff for supporting the academy.
