2024 News 2024: University hosts South Coast Leadership Development Conference

The event focused on supporting and developing the next generation of educational leaders

On August 1, 2024, the UMass Dartmouth School of Education hosted the South Coast Leadership Development conference, drawing participation from over ten regional school districts. The event on the UMass Dartmouth campus focused on supporting and developing the next generation of educational leaders. Key highlights of the conference included leadership mentoring programs, supporting newcomers in mainstream classrooms, and the University's educational leadership and policy studies doctorate (EdD) program.

"We're thrilled to see such strong participation from districts across the SouthCoast region. This conference demonstrates our commitment to fostering educational leadership and providing practical tools for administrators to address the evolving needs of our schools," said Dr. Christopher Clinton, co-chair of the UMass Dartmouth School of Education.

Dr. Katie Warren, assistant principal at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, introduced a 3-credit practicum course offering mentored experiences for new administrators. The program aims to address real-world challenges in improving student achievement, retaining administrators, and promoting continuous improvement in SouthCoast schools.

Tyler Ramey, M.Ed., founder of Enaltecer Education Consulting LLC, shared practical strategies for supporting newcomer students in mainstream classes, drawing on over 20 years of ESL education experience. She provided insights and options for districts to prepare teachers better to serve new arrivals to the region's schools.

UMass Dartmouth showcased its three-year hybrid Ed.D. program, designed to develop exemplary school leaders through hands-on learning experiences and peer collaboration. The program focuses on a problem of practice. In addition, the program seeks to provide those enrolled with the tools to solve challenges in their districts.

The event was free for district partners, underscoring UMass Dartmouth's dedication to supporting local education systems. The strong turnout and positive feedback from attendees highlight the growing interest in innovative leadership development programs in the education sector.

Learn more about UMass Dartmouth's educational leadership initiatives.