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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

  • 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.

It 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 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 AQ certification, candidates will need to complete a total of five modules of their choice, inclusive of two compulsory modules. The intent is to ensure a flexible offering with new modules being added on a regular basis. 

Module Information

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

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 11 - Leading the Special Education Program
  • The law, Special Education and the Individual Education Plan (IEP)
  • 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

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.

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.

Course Fee

$210 per module  with a limited amount of TDSB subsidy.

Subsidy: Please register in key-to-learn and rita.gallippi@tdsb.on.ca will contact candidate about subsidy.

Upcoming Sessions

All modules are offered online unless otherwise noted. Deadlines are firm. To receive the Additional Qualification (AQ) certification, candidates will need to complete five modules, inclusive of two compulsory modules (Module 1 and 3).

Dates

Module

Deadline

March 22 - April 23, 2021

Module 8 – Leading the Kindergarten Program

 March 8, 2021
April 10 - May 15, 2021

Module 3 – Leading an Equitable and Inclusive School** 

(this module has been subsidized in advance by the TDSB. No fees will be charged for this module. Please ensure you register in the TDSB cohort to avoid paying fees).

AT CAPACITY. Email pdc@principals.ca to be added to a waitlist.

 March 27, 2021
May 22 - June 26, 2021

Module 1 – Principal Legal Duties and Responsibilities**

 May 8, 2021
July 5 - 26, 2021 Module 4 - Mentoring and School Leadership June 21, 2021

All TDSB modules will be online and are for TDSB participants only.

Register

Terms and Conditions

 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 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.