The Nova Scotia Aspiring Leaders Program (ALP) is a professional learning program for teachers, mentors, department heads, and regional centre/board consultants who are interested in becoming effective school principals and/or vice principals. The program is offered by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, in partnership with the Educational Leadership Consortium of Nova Scotia (ELCNS) and Nova Scotia’s regional centres/boards. The program was developed in response to a priority identified by regional centres/boards, and to support the commitment to teaching and educational leadership outlined in Nova Scotia’s Action Plan for Education (2015).
The ALP extends over 14 months beginning in August 2024 and includes two summer institutes and seven Friday-Saturday seminars. An eight-day residency program with an experienced school principal is integrated throughout the program. A certificate is granted following an exit assessment and successful completion of all program components.
The program has been designed to be a balance between knowledge and skills, theory and practice. Reflection and networking opportunities are incorporated into each seminar.
| COMPONENT | LOCATION/DATE/TIME | COMPONENT DETAILS |
| Summer Institute 2024 | August 12-13, 2024 | -Program orientation/ Insights Discovery/ ELCNS Summer Leadership Conference |
| Friday-Saturday Seminars |
One Friday-Saturday seminar will be held each month from September 2024 to May 2025 (no seminar December 2024 or March 2025). Three seminars will be offered via an on-line platform for November, January and February. |
School Culture and Building Relationships Communication Skills School Management Instructional Leadership Leading Change Diversity and Social Justice Leading Professional Learning |
| Summer Institute August 2025 | Location TBA | Student Services |
| Residency Program | The residency program will take place within individual regional centres/boards throughout the program. | Mentoring with an experienced principal and applying seminar learnings through bridging activities. |
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidate selection will be based on identified criteria and an interview by a panel of regional centre/board personnel. Download the application form here.
MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have questions or wish additional information about the Nova Scotia Aspiring Leaders Program, please contact:
Ryan MacDonald, Coordinator of Programs PP-12 & TCRCE ALP Liaison
ryan.macdonald@tcrce.ca
Wanda Fougere, ALP Coordinator
Educational Leadership Consortium of Nova Scotia
wfougere@elcns.ca
Stephanie Isenor-Ryan, Executive Director
Educational Leadership Consortium of Nova Scotia
sisenorryan@elcns.ca
