A group of Santa Barbara Unified School District employees recently completed a series of workshops designed to teach new skills to emerging leaders.
The Aspiring Leaders Academy started in January and continued through late May. Attendees included both certificated and classified staff members.
There were 28 people who attended the workshops covering leadership styles, caring for kids, student services, special education, emergent multilingual learners, budget, human resources, equity, and culture and climate.
Lynne Sheffield, assistant superintendent of education services, coordinated the program that included district leaders as guest speakers.
“I am most proud of the diverse group of employees in our district who are eager to become the next generation of leaders,” Sheffield. said. “I am looking forward to having more representation of staff in our next Aspiring Leaders cohort.”
Graduates said they become more focused on and aware of the leader in themselves.
“The topics covered during the Aspiring Leaders Academy were in-depth and informative. Preparing and developing leadership skills in our staff is vital to building the strength of District Leadership,” said Superintendent Hilda Maldonado.
“We look forward to seeing how program graduates use these skills as they take the next steps in their careers. Developing future leaders is key to our success,” she said.