Overview
Our Principal's Development Course (PDC) will engage candidates in critical inquiry. Through the co-construction of knowledge and learning, candidates will further explore
- complex issues related to creating and sustaining vibrant school and system cultures
- enhancing student learning and well–being and
- the ethical dimensions of leadership through the experiences of other candidates.
It employs a critical, pedagogical lens to explore various module topics and strengthen professional efficacy by
- gaining in-depth knowledge
- generating new knowledge for practice and
- refining professional judgement.
This program consists of a selection of 25-hour modules on a variety of topics. All modules are offered in online delivery unless otherwise noted.
To receive the Additional Quallification (AQ) certification, candidates will need to complete a total of five modules of their choice, inclusive of one compulsory module. The intent is to ensure a flexible offering with new modules being added on a regular basis. The modules do not need to be completed in any specific order.
Module Information
Module 1 - Principal Legal Duties and Responsibilities (compulsory module) |
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Module 2 - Instructional Leadership for School Improvement |
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Module 3 - Leading an Equitable and Inclusive School |
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Module 4 - Mentoring and School Leadership |
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Module 5 - Building a Digital Leadership Portfolio |
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Module 7 - Courageous Conversations |
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Module 8 - Leading the Kindergarten Program |
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Module 9 - Leading the Innovative School ** (updated with an emphasis on supporting distance learning) |
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Module 10 - Supporting Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex or Asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) in Your School |
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Module 11 - Leading the Special Education Program |
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Module 12 - Supporting Leadership in Mathematics |
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Module 13 - The Principal's Role in Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Schools |
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Module 14 - Leading the French Immersion School |
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Module 15 - I Stand in Treaty |
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Module 16 - Maximizing Your Personal Leadership Resources (PLRs) |
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Module 17 - Optimizing Wellness and Life Balance for School Leaders |
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Module 18 – Anti-Oppressive School Improvement |
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Qualified candidates can apply to Charles Sturt University (CSU) for inclusion of this AQ as a prior learning credit towards the Master of International Education (School Leadership) or Master of Education degree.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements follow Ontario Regulation 176/10 - Teachers' Qualifications, 34.
- 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 (SO).
Course Fee
$250 per module. Includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee.
Subsidy
Full subsidies are available for all PDC modules. Please view our Special Education for School Leaders Project for more detailed information or to apply.
Pre-module Work
There is pre-work that will need to be completed in advance of the program start date. You will receive an email with access to our Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) within one week prior to the official course start date to complete 2 hours of pre-module work. It is important that you follow the instructions and access the LMS to review the pre-module learning expectations. Module 1 includes an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) section for completion and all other modules include program-specific tasks designed to help candidates reflect and prepare for productive conversations and participation.
Upcoming Sessions
All modules are offered online. Modules are asynchronous but each module can have up to 3 hours of synchronous sessions. Additionally, some modules include synchronous web meetings, but they will be recorded if you are unable to attend live. The dates listed below are the start and end dates of each module.
Deadlines are firm.
2023-24 Schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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** Completion of module 1 is mandatory to receive the AQ certification.
Register
Current Board Partnerships
Toronto District School Board (TDSB) - 2023-24
It is a priority for us to develop, provide and support a variety of relevant, accessible and locally customized professional learning opportunities, based on diverse Member needs, feedback and job demands. For those looking to offer this program in your board, we can customize most of our programs and learning sessions to the unique characteristics of each district upon request. Email us to offer the PDC within your Board.
Terms and Conditions
Academic Integrity and Engagement |
All candidates participating in our Additional Qualification Programs must review and comply with our academic integrity and engagement guidelines. |
Refund Policy |
A full refund is available if you cancel up to two weeks before the start date, less a $50.00 non-refundable registration fee.
A $100.00 refund is available if you cancel one week before the start date.
There is no refund for cancellations after the start date.
A full refund applies when a session is cancelled due to low enrollment. |
Interpretation Services |
The Ontario Principals' Council® (OPC) is committed to accommodating the individual needs of our Members, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Once a candidate has registered and paid the applicable registration fees for a course, the OPC will contract with an interpretation service of its choosing and will cover the fees and expenses related to interpretation services in accordance with its contract arrangements with the interpreter. The candidate is welcome to provide a list of preferred interpreters for us to consider, but OPC retains the discretion to choose the provider of these services.
As the OPC is required to comply with the cancellation policy specific to each independent interpreter, it will communicate the cancellation policy to the course candidate in writing. A candidate seeking to cancel their participation in an OPC course must comply with the interpreter’s cancellation policy and be respectful of the associated timelines. Candidates will be held responsible for cancellation fees applied as a result of missing timelines for cancellation. OPC’s standard refund policy will also apply to all cancellations. |
Auditing a Program |
Auditing a Program |
Program Resource Access |
All program content and LMS access will be available to candidates one week in advance of the program and will remain active until two weeks after the end of the program. Following this period, candidates will no longer have access to assignments, conversations, resources or other content related to the program. Please save any information that you would like to retain during the timeframe that you have access to the LMS. Limited extensions to program access will only be granted under special circumstances, as approved by the Registrar or Director of Professional Learning. |