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References
from Graduates
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Jennifer
Hacker, Principal, and Stephen
Kanode, Assistant Principal,
Stanley Elementary School,
Waltham, MA
(JenniferHacker@k12.waltham.ma.us;
stephenKanode@k12.waltham.ma.us)
Our
experience at ELI was instrumental
in preparing us for the
work we do on a daily basis.
The knowledgeable, experienced
staff pushed us to become
educational leaders who
are ready to implement change
in our building and do what
is best for our students.
The rigorous coursework
was carefully crafted to
provide us with the most
up-to-date and relevant information
in our field. ELI
taught us to believe we
can make a difference and
lead us on the path to do
so. We recommend ELI
to anyone who is thinking
about becoming an educational
leader. |
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Natalie
Cohen, Principal, Lexington
High School, Lexington,
MA
(ncohen@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us)
On
a daily basis I find myself
applying my experiences
in EDCO’s Educator’s
Leadership Institute. The
focused dialogues with talented,
motivated peers; the timely
and valuable readings; and
the many opportunities to
think deeply and write analytically
have provided me with a
strong foundation for the
work I do every day. My
planning is more thorough
and my decision-making more
deliberate than would have
been possible without my
ELI training. I unreservedly
recommend this program to
educators who are serious
about becoming learning
leaders. |
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Cynthia
Dailey-Smith, Assistant
Principal, Bigelow Middle
School, Newton, MA
(Cyndi_Dailey-Smith@newton.k12.ma.us)
To
inspire students and teachers,
create strategic plans to
boost student achievement,
and use the unemotional
tool of data to team and
microscopically investigate
individual student growth…Who
would want to do anything
else? A personal life dream
and trained by the best
in the business! The educational
experts! ELI prepares leaders! |
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Deidre
Durling Cooke, Former Special
Education Teacher, Charlestown
High School, Boston, MA
(deidredurling@gmail.com)
The
ELI program is a powerful experience
for teachers who are interested
in growing as professionals.
I began the program interested
in becoming a Director of
Special Education but was
so inspired that I now have
aspirations of running a
school. The courses
are very relevant to current
issues in education and
so practical that I was
able to implement ideas
immediately at my own school
with confidence. The
ELI program is able to encompass
both urban and suburban
school issues with such
depth that I feel prepared
to step into any school
as an administrator and
have the tools necessary
for success. Working
through the ELI program
with a cohort fostered
many dynamic conversations,
excellent connections, and
much needed collegial support.
I highly recommend this
program to anyone considering
a career in administration. |
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Dari
Donovan, Principal, Lowell
Elementary, Watertown, MA
(ddonovan@watertown.k12.ma.us)
The
program was a pivotal experience
for me professionally. Its
content and design created
the opportunity to explore
all aspects of instructional
leadership. ELI defines
and develops the critical
skills in its participants
that are needed to support
school communities in reaching
for better student results.
Ultimately, I am in this
position because ELI encouraged
me to believe that I can
make a difference. |
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Joshua
Frank, Principal, Wellesley
Middle School, Wellesley,
MA (joshua_frank@wellesley.k12.ma.us)
The
ELI program helped me forge
an identity as an educational
leader, and to develop a
network of colleagues. ELI
instructors provided me
with many concrete tools
that a principal needs.
They helped me understand
the nuances of understanding
school culture, the need
to move schools toward a
student-centered future,
and the central role of
usable data in moving schools
forward. Just as important,
they encouraged me down
a path of continual self-development,
which is invaluable in meeting
the challenges of the principalship.
Since becoming a Principal,
the new Principals group
has been an invaluable source
of support and fellowship
as well. |
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Adam
Goldberg, Assistant Principal,
Westford Academy, Westford,
MA
(adamgoldberg@westford.k12.ma.us)
My
experience in EDCO's Educator's
Leadership Institute was
the most valuable educational
experience I have ever had.
Through meaningful dialogue
with peers, faculty, and
guest speakers, and a plethora
of relevant readings, my
perspective on school leadership
has been forever changed.
The program fully prepared
me to enter the administrative
arena, and I confidently
believe it has made me a
stronger educator. The opportunity
to progress through courses
with a cohort allowed me
to develop meaningful relationships,
connections and friendships
and truly enhanced the quality
of the program. The classes
were relevant, hands-on,
and covered the spectrum
of issues that any school
leader would face during
the course of a year. Overall,
ELI was an outstanding experience
that I would highly recommend
to anyone who was contemplating
becoming a school administrator. |
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Joseph
Hehn, Concord Carlisle,
Concord, MA
(jhehn@colonial.net)
The
ELI program provided a comprehensive
education in all aspects
of what an effective administrator
needs to know. In looking
into other programs, there
are certainly less expensive
and less intensive programs
out there, but I am glad
to have taken ELI as I feel
confident in being able
to step into an administrative
position knowing that I
have been exposed to all
aspects of what a high school
administrator has to face.
Having filled in as an assistant
principal during the last
part of my ELI program made
me realize how well prepared
I was for dealing with parents,
students, teachers, curriculum,
discipline issues, and legal
challenges while staying
focused on the bottom line
of student achievement. |
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Veronica
Knight, Guidance Counselor,
Lowell Elementary School,
Watertown MA
(vknight@watertown.k12.ma.us)
The
18 months I spent with my
ELI cohort was energizing
and challenging. I loved
thinking together with a
group of motivated mature
learners who wanted to see
their work in a broader
context than their classrooms,
their schools, or even their
districts. I enjoyed the
challenge of taking what
we were learning and practicing
the techniques and strategies
in group projects as well
as trying them out at work
in real time. I believe
the ELI experience was a
true turning point in my
career and a springboard
for ushering positive changes
for our students. |
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Loreta
Lamberti, Principal, Angier
Elementary School, Newton,
MA
(lambertihh@verizon.net)
It
is not often that you find
a program that fits into
your life as a working adult.
Within a year and a half
you are able to complete
the program. ELI has intelligent
and knowledgeable instructors
with real life experiences
as educational leaders.
They connect, understand,
and challenge you to move
forward with your career
in educational leadership.
They support, nurture, and
inspire you to read, write,
discuss, question, and experience
all aspects of the program.
The classes are stimulating:
you discuss your thoughts
and opinions, share stories
and research, and lead presentations.
The classes are designed
to make you think about
your personal vision and
to reflect upon your practices.
The ELI program prepared
me for my role as principal
for the Angier Elementary
School in Newton. I assumed
my new role after completing
the program. The experiences
during the program allowed
me to improve my communication
and supervision skills:
gaining confidence and learning
how to communicate effectively.
The program taught me to
really look inside my heart
and soul to realize my vision,
to look ahead and to make
connections with people
in the educational world.
Most importantly ELI taught
me how to be a very well
prepared principal. |
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Sharon
MacDonald, Principal, Farley
Elementary School, Hudson,
MA
(sbmacdonald@hudson.k12.ma.us)
The
EDCO ELI Program helped
prepare me for the principalship
in ways I am still discovering.
The rigorous coursework,
talented and compassionate
educators, knowledgeable
and helpful cohort were
all part of an education
that was invigorating and
thought provoking. I enjoyed
every part of this program,
and it helped me hit the
ground running as a first
year principal. |
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Lelo
C. Masamba, Director, Lynnfield
METCO, Lynnfield, MA
(Lmasamba@hotmail.com)
The
EDCO program has really
helped me to grow as an
educational leader. There
are several topics that
I’m looking forward
to developing. Using data
assessment teams to improve
instruction and student
achievement has become a
priority. These teams are
made up of teachers, reading
and math specialists, and
administrators including
the principal and METCO
director. The teams analyze
student data early in the
school year to help teachers
improve or tweak instruction.
I was so impressed with
our former instructor Kim
Marshal’s presentation
on data assessment that
I brought him to Lynnfield
for a staff development
program. The staff has been
referencing his work since
then, including his monthly
Marshall Memo. I also learned
a lot more about legal issues
in education, with respect
to management of employee
relations, as we work together
with our teacher’s
union regarding our responsibilities
in the fulfillment of the
504 Civil Rights statue,
compliance under Public
Law #94-142 IDEA (individuals
with Disabilities Education
Act), and our referral and
IEP processes. Teacher evaluations
were less intimidating to
me after working with instructor
Gerry Leader and our high
school principal. Above
all else, the EDCO program
has reaffirmed the importance
of collaborating with my
colleagues and future educational
leaders as we discussed
ways to resolve current
issues as a team. |
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Michael
McAllister, Principal, Daniel
Butler School, Belmont,
MA
(MMcAllister@belmont.k12.ma.us)
Without
ELI I am certain of two
things: that I would not
have been offered a job
in my district and that
I would not have succeeded
at that job. Because of
ELI I was able to speak
knowledgeably and passionately
about the work of an educational
leader, and then when given
the chance, I was able to
actually do it. I owe my
job and success in that
job to ELI, plain and simple.
The learning I did in ELI
was more challenging, of
higher quality, and required
more of me than most of
the work I did as an undergrad
or grad student. As a teacher,
I try to inspire my students
to do the best. The ELI
instructors inspired me
more than any other professors
I have had and as a result,
I believe I did some of
the best work I have ever
done.
It was amazing to see how
much time the ELI instructors
had for everyone out of
class. During each break
and after each class you
could bank on someone needing
some time and always getting
more attention than they
could have asked for. |
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Anna
Monaco, Assistant Principal,
Jonas Clarke Middle School,
Lexington, MA
(amonaco@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us)
The
ELI program changed my career
in education. As a special
education teacher, I had
some thoughts of going into
Special Education administration.
After completing the ELI
program and an internship
as an Assistant Principal,
I knew that my career was
going to take a different
turn. Now as a middle school
Assistant Principal, I can
honestly say that my experience
in the ELI program prepared
me for this role. I
was able to learn so much
about many different aspects
of leadership. Not only
did I learn from the experiences
of the instructors but I
also learned from the other
students in the cohort.
Our discussions were always
lively and interesting and
each week, I came away from
class wanting to experience
more. I also found the instructors
to be an extremely valuable
resource in my education.
Each of them has extensive
experience in being a leader,
administrator and teacher.
I cannot say enough about
how well this program prepared
me for being an administrator
and I would wholeheartedly
recommend it to anyone who
is interested in a leadership
position. |
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Mark
Nardelli, Principal, Horace
Mann Elementary School,
Newton, MA
(Mark_Nardelli@newton.k12.ma.us)
The
ELI program profoundly influenced
the way I view what should
be happening in classrooms
on a daily basis as well
as the larger issues around
school change and instructional
leadership. I
have continually benefited
from the ELI approach, which
includes cutting edge thinking
about today’s educational
issues, as well as hands-on
experience within a collaborative
environment. There
is no question that I was
well prepared to enter into
my first leadership position,
and I continue to enjoy
the ongoing support of my
colleagues and instructors
from the ELI program. |
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Steve
Rattendi, Math Department
Chairman, Newton South High,
Newton, MA
(steven_rattendi@newton.k12.ma.us)
ELI
provided me with the opportunity
to grow professionally.
The first class teaching
staff designed a curriculum
that challenged me to confront
some of the difficulties
faced in educating all of
our children today.
The students in the ELI
program provided the second
critical benefit -- the
chance to speak with colleagues
in other districts. I know
I have formed professional
relationships that will
last a lifetime. |
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Sara-Jane
Rogers, Literacy Coach,
Baldwin School, Cambridge,
MA
(SRogers@cpsd.us)
The
ELI program provided me
with the knowledge base
and skills that are vital
to my role as a school-based
literacy leader in urban
schools in both Cambridge
and Lowell. The program
enabled me to build upon
my previous experiences
as an elementary teacher
and Reading Specialist while
gaining new and deeper insights
into many essential leadership
issues, including the achievement
gap, teacher capacity and
big picture thinking. My
Supervisor/Director license
allowed me to maintain my
interest in literacy and
pursue school-based leadership
positions. The stellar quality
of the instructors and cohort
members created an atmosphere
characterized by high expectations,
caring, and personal growth.
The program exceeded my
expectations and prepared
me well for leadership roles. |
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Matthew
C. Stahl, Principal, Washington
Elementary School, Lowell,
MA (mstahl@lowell.k12.ma.us)
The
ELI program is an invaluable
resource for classroom teachers
seeking to become administrators.
In addition to the academic
benefits from the program,
the ELI program creates
a network of support for
new administrators. Being
an effective administrator
or director means being
fully cognizant of the stresses
involved in classroom teaching
as well as the contemporary
issues swirling around education.
The ELI program creates
a powerful bridge between
the classroom and the Principal’s
Office that fully prepares
candidates for their new
position as a school leader.
The ELI program was absolutely
an essential in my becoming
a principal, and as I am
now running three schools
I often lean on and fall
back on the lessons I learned
while in the ELI program.
I highly recommend this
program to anyone contemplating
becoming a principal, administrator
or director of a school. |
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Jennifer
Truslow, Assistant to the
Principal for Student Services,
Brown Middle, Newton, MA
(jennifer_truslow@newton.k12.ma.us)
The
ELI program was an incredible
experience. The program
helped me step out of my
traditional role as an educator,
and started me thinking
about my impact on an entire
school community. From beginning
to end, I was pushed by
committed, innovative faculty
to examine my own beliefs
and my educational philosophy
as a future administrator.
The skills I learned in
the role plays and group
work-learning how to listen
carefully, cooperate when
under stress, modify my
own behavior as needed and
work with a wide variety
of individuals has helped
me in my own work as an
administrator this year.
In addition, I feel I have
25 people I can call at
a moment's notice to discuss
a situation or idea. The
connections I made will
last a lifetime. |
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Henry
Turner, Housemaster, Newton
South, Newton, MA
(henry_turner@newton.k12.ma.us)
At
ELI I was encouraged to
think about my values as
a school leader and develop
my educational philosophy
as an educator. What separates
ELI from other programs,
however, is that I also
learned how to implement
these ideas within a school
culture. ELI prepared me
to meet the challenges of
a school administrator. |
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Carlyn
Uyenoyama, K-8 Physical
Education Teacher, Lawrence
School, Brookline, MA
(carlyn_uyenoyama@brookline.k12.ma.us)
ELI
is a program that challenges
you academically and supports
you both personally and
professionally. They had
great flexibility with my
unique situation. A health
issue occurred in the middle
of my internship, and ELI
worked with me to make sure
I finished the program.
I felt incredibly supported.
They wanted me to succeed.
I liked the cohort approach
and feel part of an even
bigger family. The professors,
director and my cohort peers
were the main reason I was
able to complete the program.
I'm not sure you could find
the same kind of genuine
support in another program. |
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Derek
Vandegrift, History Teacher,
Waltham High School, Waltham,
MA
(derekvandegrift@k12.waltham.ma.us)
ELI
has been the most transformative
professional development
experience of my career.
The hands-on approach to
learning used throughout
the program gave me the
confidence and experience
I needed to become a leader
within my building. All
of the ELI instructors have
a proven track record of
school leadership success
and were always there to
provide insight, guidance,
and support. Additionally,
during my time in ELI, I
formed many strong connections
with the other members of
my cohort who continue to
be a great sounding board
whenever challenges arise.
Even after the program came
to a close, Gerry Leader
was there to help me with
questions unique to obtaining
my particular license (Supervisor
/ Director for History and
Social Science). I would
call my ELI experience “top-notch”
and I always welcome the
opportunity to talk about
it with potential candidates. |
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Lynna
Williams, Lead Guidance
Counselor, Arlington High,
Arlington, MA
(lwilliams@arlington.k12.ma.us)
ELI
has opened my eyes to the
variety of tasks an administrator
needs to balance on a day
to day basis. During the
past 18 months, I was forced
to explore areas outside
of my comfort zone as a
guidance counselor as well
as take risks I would not
have done otherwise without
the support from the ELI
program. Without a doubt,
I believe ELI has helped
me in my current position
as Lead Counselor for the
College and Transition planning
as well as my future position
as Guidance Director. |
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