Source: WFAE
A program created through a partnership between The Innovation Project and North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is providing $1.5 million in funding for aspiring principals from rural school districts.
The Recruitment, Retention, and Promotion of Effective Educators scholarship initiative will cover the cost of 16 educators’ Master’s degrees to become principals.
According to WFAE, in the first year, the educators will continue to teach in their classrooms while taking online courses at NC Central. The next will be spent as principals-in-training in their school districts, where they will learn how to set a vision for a public school, address chronic absenteeism and other roles of school leadership.
“This partnership underscores our shared dedication to advancing educational equity and excellence and preparing our aspiring leaders to lead with integrity, purpose, and through innovation,” stated Portia Gibbs-Roseboro, NCCU MSA Program Director.
According to a report from the National Rural Education Association, North Carolina is the 10th highest priority state when it comes to rural education.
“Many rural communities — especially certain pockets — are currently facing multiple crises in terms of educational loss, economic outcomes, unemployment, and mental health,” the report states.
NCCU’s partnership with The Innovation Project hopes to address these vacancies and boost the talent pipeline for principals in rural school districts.
“It is incumbent upon us to do something to address the teaching vacancies and the leadership vacancies in our rural districts. (They) are having difficulty offering competitive salary supplements and also may not have the cultural capital to draw them into their communities,” stated Sharon Contreras, CEO of TIP.
“The partnership between TIP and NC Central continues the legacy of serving underserved students,” Contreras added “Most of the participants are people of color and we know from research that BIPOC principals are more likely to work in high-need schools, which can help support the most vulnerable students.”
