PDC Logo

Overview

An Additional Qualification (AQ) Course. Qualified candidates may also apply to Charles Sturt University for inclusion of the Principal's Development Course (PDC) as a prior learning credit towards the Master of International Education (School Leadership) 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 in a Digital World
  • 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

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

Public Offerings

Module 1 - Principal Legal Duties and Liabilities**
January 21 – February 24

Application Deadline: January 4
Module 3 - Leading an Equitable and Inclusive School 
March 4 – April 14

Application Deadline: February 15
Module 9 - Leading the Innovative School
April 23 – May 26

Application Deadline: April 5
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 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

Halton District School Board Offerings 

(for participants in Halton DSB only)

Module 12 - Supporting Leadership in Mathematics

January 14 - February 18

Application Deadline: January 4
Module 8 - Leading the Kindergarten Program

January 21 - February 25

Application Deadline: January 11

Application Forms

The application form can be filled out online and saved to be emailed or printed, faxed or mailed.

PDC Public Application

PDC Halton DSB Application (for participants in Halton DSB only)

Note: The registration package is a PDF document that requires Adobe Reader to view.

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.