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Overview

Qualified candidates can apply to Charles Sturt University for inclusion of this AQ as a prior learning credit towards the Master of International Education (School Leadership) or Master of Education degree.

Our PDC will engage candidates in critical inquiry.

Through the co-construction of knowledge and learning, candidates will further explore

  • the ethical dimensions of leadership through the experiences of other candidates
  • complex issues related to creating and sustaining vibrant school and system cultures and
  • enhancing student learning and well–being.

The PDC employs a critical, pedagogical lens to explore various module topics and strengthen professional efficacy by

  • gaining in-depth knowledge
  • refining professional judgement and
  • generating new knowledge for practice.

This course consists of a selection of modules (each module is 25 hours) on a variety of topics. All modules are offered in online delivery.

To receive the AQ certification, candidates will need to complete a total of five modules of their choice, with modules one and five being compulsory. The intent is to ensure a flexible offering with new modules being added on a regular basis. 

Module Information

* Completion of modules 1 and 5 are mandatory to receive the AQ certification

Module 1 - Principal Legal Duties and Responsibilities

(compulsory module)
  • What are the principal's legal duties and responsibilities?
  • What does it mean to be an “agent of the board?”
  • What does a principal need to know when using social media?
  • What does a principal need to know when investigating the misuse of social media?
  • What are the principal's duties and liabilities in relation to the Child and Family Services Act?

Module 2 - Instructional Leadership for School Improvement
  • Instructional leadership and school management
  • Student-centred learning
  • School culture and its impact on learning and teaching
  • Co-leading the instructional program

Module 3 - Leading an Equitable and Inclusive School
  • Equity, inclusivity, social justice and schools
  • Mindsets and equitable schools
  • Privilege, bias and culturally responsive and relevant leadership
  • Positive school culture and leadership

Module 4 - Mentoring Coaching and School Leadership
  • What Mentor Coaching attributes and/or skills do great leaders exhibit?
  • To what extent can Mentor Coaching skills enable leaders to successfully navigate hard conversations?
  • To what extent can Mentor Coaching skills improve relationships and organizational culture?
  • How can leaders create a culture of Mentor Coaching?

Module 5 - Building a Digital Leadership Portfolio

(compulsory module)
  • Leading a collaborative inquiry
  • Creating a digital leadership portfolio
  • Creating a school and personal blog
  • Creating a school and personal website

Module 6 - Environmental Eco-Justice Leadership
  • Global and local environmental context
  • Environmental leadership and ecojustice resources
  • Environmental ecojustice leadership
  • Creating an environmental ecojustice action plan

Module 7 - Professional and Challenging Conversations
  • Leading change with professional conversations
  • Planning for a challenging conversation
  • Crafting an outcome map
  • Impressive empathy, reframing, non-verbal behaviours and listening

Module 8 - Leading the Kindergarten Program
  • Four frames of the kindergarten program
  • Play-based learning in a culture of inquiry
  • Dealing with uncertainties in pedagogical documentation
  • Principal as co-learner in creating the conditions for learning

Module 9 - Leading the Innovative School
  • Rethinking digital citizenship
  • A shared vision of learning in a digital age
  • Creating a culture of learning
  • Innovative learning spaces

Module 10 - Supporting LGBTQ in Your School
  • Exploring bias and student agency
  • Fostering allies
  • Intersectionality
  • Fostering personal leadership resources

Module 11 - Leading the Special Education Program
  • The law, Special Education and the Individual Education Plan
  • Building the staff capacity to meet the needs of all students
  • The complexities of Special Education student aggression
  • Building collaborative partnerships with parents

Module 12 - Supporting Leadership in Mathematics
  • Foundational knowledge in mathematics
  • Effective instructional approaches in effective math classrooms
  • Assessment and evaluation
  • Implications for professional learning and school improvement planning

Module 13 - Leading Well-Being in Your School
  • Creating mentally healthy schools
  • Establishing a common language and understanding
  • A tiered support model for school mental health and well-being
  • Everyday mental health practices

Module 14 - Leading the French Immersion School
  • The evolution of French Immersion in Ontario
  • Effective practices in French Immersion classrooms
  • Inclusion in the French Immersion program
  • French Immersion teacher retention and developing the French Immersion program
Module 15 - Trauma-Informed Schools in an Indigenous Context  
  •  Indigenous Historical and Intergenerational Trauma
  • Re-centering Indigenous Knowledge
  • Trauma-Informed Schools and Demonstrating Cultural Competency
  • Trauma-Informed Relationships; considerations on how to create and maintain meaningful partnerships
Module 16 - Maximizing Your Personal Leadership Resources (PLRs)
  • Toolkit to strengthen your Social, Psychological and Cognitive resources
  • The research behind the importance of our PLR’s
  • EI Traits Indicator Survey
  • Role specific knowledge of Effective School and Classroom Practices that have a direct impact of student learning

Module 17 - Optimizing Wellness and Life Balance for School Leaders
  • Recognizing Compassion Fatigue
  • Wellbeing Supports Through Technology
  • Reducing the Impact of Difficult Communication
  • Dealing with Challenges while Maintaining Your Wellbeing

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario College of Teacher's (OCT) Certificate of Qualification and Registration
  • Principal's Qualifications (Part 1 and 2 or equivalent) and
  • Two years of successful experience as a principal or vice-principal, certified by your Supervisory officer.

Course Fee

$200 per module

Upcoming Sessions

Online Modules

Module 8 - Leading the Kindergarten Program
July 8 - July 28

Application Deadline: June 21
Module 5 - Building a Digital Leadership Portfolio **
July 8 - July 28

Application Deadline: June 21
Module 2 - Instructional Leadership for School Improvement
July 29 - August 16

Application Deadline: July 12
Module 14 - Leading the French Immersion School
July 29 - August 16

Application Deadline: July 12
Module 7 - Professional and Challenging Conversations
August 6 – August 25

Application Deadline: July 19

Blended Modules

Module 16 - Maximizing Your Personal Leadership Resources (PLRs)

Session 1 and 2 (face-to-face)

July 8 - 9

8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Session 3 and 4 (online)

July 10 - August 30

Session 1 and 2 Location

Ontario Principals' Council Office

20 Queen Street West, Suite 2700,

Toronto, ON, M5H 3R3

Application Deadline

June 14
Module 17 - Optimizing Wellness and Life Balance for School Leaders
Session 1 and 2 (face-to-face)

July 8 - 9

8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Session 3 and 4 (online)

July 10 - August 30

Session 1 and 2 Location

Ontario Principals' Council Office

20 Queen Street West, Suite 2700,

Toronto, ON, M5H 3R3

Application Deadline

June 14
 Module 11 - Leading the Special Education Program
Session 1 and 2 (face-to-face)

July 10 - 11

8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Session 3 and 4 (online)

July 12 - August 31

Session 1 and 2 Location

Ontario Principals' Council Office

20 Queen Street West, Suite 2700,

Toronto, ON, M5H 3R3

Application Deadline

June 14

Face-to-Face Modules

Module 15 - Trauma-Informed Schools in an Indigenous Context  

July 8 - 11

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centre's Office

219 Front Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 1E8

Application Deadline

June 14

Register

Refund Policy

A full refund is available of you cancel 2 weeks before the start date, less the $50 non-refundable registration fee.

A 50% refund is available if you cancel 1 week before the start date.

There is no refund for cancellations after the start date.