Teachers to be trained as school administrators

Philip Zenowich, a teacher at Saratoga Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School, wants to keep his options open.

A teacher for 19 years (18 in Catholic schools in Saratoga), he enjoys teaching. "I like the kids first of all, and the parents and the families behind the kids," the science teacher said. "It makes it easier to do my job."

However, while he enjoys teaching, he'd like to learn more about running a Catholic school. In the fall, therefore, Mr. Zenowich will be one of 15 Catholic school teachers enrolled in the Catholic Leadership Institute, sponsored by the Catholic School Office.

Planning for future

The two-year program will give participants college credits through The College of Saint Rose in Albany as well as practical information on what is involved in running a Catholic school, explained Thomas Fitzgerald, assistant superintendent for administrative services.

According to Dr. Fitzgerald, both public and non-public schools are finding that the pool of qualified candidates who aspire to school administration is shrinking.

In recent years, the School Office has had to look outside of the Catholic school system for candidates to fill administrative openings. To reverse that trend, it decided to initiate this program.

"We have an obligation to get people ready to take on administration," Dr. Fitzgerald said.

Candidates

When looking for new administrators, the School Office would like candidates to come from the Catholic school system.

But "if they've been in the classroom, then they don't have administrative training," Dr. Fitzgerald said. "It's a Catch-22."

While those interested in administration can take graduate level courses at local colleges, such courses are primarily focused on public school administration, he noted. Areas of particular interest to Catholic school administrators that are not addressed in education administration courses include spirituality, fund-raising and co-curricular activities.

The Catholic Leadership Institute will address Catholic school identity, building a faith community, instructional leadership in Catholic schools, managing conflict, marketing, development and fund-raising.

"Everything that needs to be organized, the principal needs to have a hand in," Dr. Fitzgerald explained. "Anything that happens except driving the bus is the job of the administrator."

Practical, too

To provide participants with practical experience, each will complete a project in his or her own school.

"It can be an issue the school would like to take on," explained Dr. Fitzgerald, "like a demographic study to determine if full-day kindergarten is needed or helping the school develop a curriculum. This is like an internship to give practical experience."

Mr. Zenowich decided to participate in the program because "right now, I like teaching, [but] I just want a better understanding of how Catholic schools operate."

The program, Dr. Fitzgerald explained, is the result of collaboration with Saint Rose. "We're working in tandem," he said. Education professors at the college will be running the sessions along with the staff of the Catholic school office.

(08-27-98) [[In-content Ad]]