Networking with New Principals 2012-13

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Dan Ernst
NCSA Associate Executive Director
402-476-8055 or 800-793-6272
dan@ncsa.org

The Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) has been providing on-going assistance and resources to first year principals (K-12) in Nebraska for over eighteen years through the Networking With New Principals Program (NWNP). The objectives of this program are to:

1. Expand knowledge of leadership skills and instructional leadership practices;
2. Promote access to critical information in order to successfully deal with challenging opportunities and responsibilities;
3. Create opportunities to discuss educational issues;
4. Provide ongoing support and encouragement;
5. Provide honest and constructive feedback;
6. Facilitate the understanding of research based information and best practice; and
7. Assist in building professional networks.

The objectives of this program are met through various activities that include group meetings, individual consultations, regular e-mail communications, tweets, the use of a dedicated WIKI for NWNP participants, and more. Many of the group activities will be scheduled in conjunction with NCSA or principal affiliate events. This provides the new principal the opportunity to participate in professional development and to minimize time away from the building. Experience suggests that those new principals that actively participate in the program and support activities tend to be most successful as a first year administrator.

The Networking With New Principals Program is led by a dedicated group of school principals that serve as the “Leadership Team”. Representing elementary principals are Scott Dodson, Woodland Park Elementary School in Norfolk, and Melissa Polonsic, Ronald Reagan Elementary Principal, Millard Public Schools. Representing secondary principals are Kent Mann, former Grand Island High School Principal and now UNL Educational Administration Professor, Mike Wortman, Lincoln High School Principal, and Mitch Bartholomew, York High School Principal. NCSA Associate Executive Director Dan Ernst serves as the coordinator of the team.

Networking With New Principals Program Calendar for 2012-13

• July 26, 2012 (Administrators Days, Kearney, 3:15 P.M. Ruby #6 - (Younes Conference Center)
• Wednesday, Thursday, December 6 and 7, 2012 - NAESP and NSASSP State Conference – Kearney
• Additional NWNP Group Meetings may be scheduled per the determination of the participants
• Regional Principal Meetings
• Individual Consultations – Call or email any of the Networking Leadership Team
• Webinars, and additional professional opportunities will be communicated via email
• Materials and information for NWNP participants will be archived at: http://nwnp.wikispaces.com
• NWNP participants will have the opportunity to get together at many of the NCSA scheduled professional development programs

NCSA Networking With New Principals Leadership Team contacts:

1. Dan Ernst (dan@ncsa.org)
2. Kent Mann (mannkb@unlnotes.unl.edu)
3. Mike Wortman (mwortman@lps.org)
4. Scott Dodson (sdodson@npsne.org)
5. Melissa Polonsic (mjpoloncic@mpsomaha.org)
6. Mitch Bartholomew (mbarthol@yorkpublic.org)