Davenport Makes Long-Term Commitment To Principal Leadership Academy

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posted March 19, 2010

Joe Davenport of Pointer Management has made a five-year, $250,000 commitment to the Principal Leadership Academy currently under development by the Hamilton County Department of Education, Public Education Foundation, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

“I first learned about the need for this academy through a meeting at PEF,” said Mr. Davenport. “Then I went and talked to a principal. I became convinced that this contribution is the best investment I can make to help this community provide great schools for our children.”

As announced on March 4 when Unum made a similar contribution (see press release at HCDE), the Principal Leadership Academy will involve 12 to 16 assistant principals who have expressed interest in becoming principals. The Academy will launch in July 2010 and features two full weeks of intensive training along with monthly one-day seminars covering a variety of leadership topics. Topics include instructional leadership, culture and climate, building management, finances, human resources, strategic leadership, community relations and micro-political leadership.

Principal preparation has been a primary goal of HCDE Superintendent Dr. Jim Scales since he came to Hamilton County, officials said. “Running a school is an incredibly important job that requires a diverse set of sharply honed skills,” said Dr. Scales. “This Academy will do much to help new principals get up to speed quickly and help us move forward in our progress toward great public schools here in Hamilton County.”

The Principal Leadership Academy includes a focus on effective instruction as well as a significant business component. Each Academy participant will be assigned two mentors over the course of the program: a veteran HCDE principal and an executive partner from the business community. Academy participants will have opportunities to shadow mentors and receive input and advice regarding leadership issues. Participants will also visit at least one high-performing school outside of Hamilton County.

Officials said, "The Public Education Foundation, Chamber of Commerce and UTC join Dr. Scales in expressing gratitude to Joe Davenport for his generous contribution to this important work."