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Gwinnett County Public Schools

Other Leadership Development Programs

Novice Leader Support

Leadership development and support is critical for the growth, satisfaction, and retention of local school leaders. That is why our newest principals and assistant principals are provided targeted professional learning and coaching support in their first few years. Small group facilitation through professional learning opportunities provide novice leaders the opportunity to enhance teaching, learning, and engagement in their local schools. The Novice Principal Program (NPP) and the Novice Assistant Principal Program (NAPP) gives newly appointed principals or assistant principals the opportunity to work with experienced leaders to develop an understanding of the school community and culture, achievement results, operations, processes, and school initiatives. The mixture of in-person and virtual learning sessions are aligned to the GCPS Leadership Behaviors and Skills ensuring consistency of practices. Ongoing assessments of professional development needs are conducted to ensure the relevance of discussion topics and hand-on experiences and practice, especially for novice leaders. 

Leader Coaching

Gwinnett County Public Schools is committed to increasing the efficacy and retention of its leaders through the QPLA Leader Coaching Program. Coaching is the “practice of providing deliberate support to [a leader] to help him/her/them clarify and/or achieve [personal and professional] goals.” Coaching support can have a powerful, long-term impact on building effective leadership practices that in turn increase student performance and engagement.  New leaders are paired with a leader coach who will provide individualized support through one-on-one meetings, small group support sessions, and just-in-time training on essential leadership topics such as:

  • Leading with empathy and equity,
  • Building a positive and productive school community and culture,
  • Analyzing school data and performance outcomes to make informed decisions that lead to increased effectiveness and excellence,
  • Effectively and efficiently managing school facilities and operations, and 
  • Designing, implementing, and monitoring school initiatives to meet the needs of the teachers, students, and community.