Course
ELP-SL1
Shared Leadership: Building Relationships and Engaging Communities
Learn to create meaningful community connections that foster innovative learning environments and support the success of students and staff.
Reflect on the role of education leaders as community builders. Explore theories, models, and strategies for developing collaborative networks among stakeholders, including principals, teachers, students, families, and community members. Engage in discussions, case scenarios, and activities to enhance your ability to develop and maintain strong education community relations. Throughout the course you’ll also develop your portfolio and personal leadership resource archive.
Who Should Attend?
OCT Certified Educators:
- You aspire to school leadership roles (e.g., Vice-Principal, Principal).
- You meet the Ontario College of Teachers pre-requisites for the Principal’s Qualification Program (PQP) Part I.
Education Professionals (Non-OCT):
- You identify as one of the following: domestic or international teacher, administrator, aspiring principal, school leader, teacher-leader, or governance member in international school.
- You seek to develop effective leadership skills, knowledge, and resources in the K-16 space.
Learning Outcomes
Learners who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Understand the roles of teachers, staff, families, and stakeholders in creating an effective school environment.
- Identify factors that impact community building and engagement, including historical, legislative, and social justice issues.
- Reflect on personal leadership strengths and growth areas in relation to community engagement.
- Implement strategies and processes to foster a culture of shared responsibility, safety, relationship building, and accountability.
- Develop effective decision-making and crisis management strategies.
- Explore strategies for promoting professional growth of staff and the school community.
Notes
The course requires a computer with a camera, headphones/speakers, microphone, and high-speed internet to access OISE course materials and other resources.
Please note: OISE Master of Education candidates in the Educational Leadership & Policy Program can take Phase One as elective LHA1060 and Phase Two as elective LHA1061. Candidates wishing to pursue this optional route will be required to obtain the approval of Dr. Karen Acton, Program Coordinator for the Educational Leadership & Policy Program. Admission into the Education Leaders Program is separate from the Master of Education Program, and is contingent on the approval of OISE Continuing and Professional Learning.
For more details about the Educational Leadership & Policy Master's degree, contact the department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education.
Prerequisites
The Following information is for OCT Certified Educators only:
Pre-requisites for OCT Certified Educators
Domestic Teaching Experience:
Must be verified by your Supervisory Officer on the Certificate of Teaching Experience Form. A school Principal’s signature does not satisfy this requirement.
International Teaching Experience:
Must be verified by the Head of School on the Statement of Successful Teaching Experience Form. A school Principal’s signature does not satisfy this requirement.
Leadership Practicum Proposal:
As per the OCT’s Principal’s Qualification Program Guideline: “Candidates must develop a Leadership Practicum proposal before being recommended for completion of Part I and successfully complete the Leadership Practicum experience before being recommended for completion of Part II. The Leadership Practicum must apply to a school setting and be mentored by a practicing qualified principal or vice-principal. It is expected that the duration of the Leadership Practicum will be a minimum of 50 hours of which 20 hours could be observation” (p. 17).
Mentor:
Learners must identify and secure a mentor to sign-off on their Leadership Practicum Proposal. The mentor must be an OCT qualified, experienced and practicing principal or vice-principal.
Disclaimer: securing a mentor is a crucial component of the Education Leaders Program. Prior to registering, ensure you have a fulsome understanding of the parameters below:
- It is your responsibility, as the learner, to identify and secure your mentor. OISE CPL cannot assist you with this component.
- Consider your current role. Are you an occasional teacher? Are you on contract? Are you taking a sabbatical? Your current role may impact your ability to secure a mentor.
- Course 3 and Course 4 require mentor engagement, therefore you should aim to secure your mentor at the beginning of the Education Leaders Program as early as Course 1.
Recommendations
OCT Certified Educators: Course 1 of 3 towards the Principal’s Qualification Program, Part 1.
Education Professionals (Non-OCT): Course 1 of 3 towards the OISE CPL Certificate of Completion.
Program Outcome for OCT Certified Educators | Program Outcome for Education Professionals (Non-OCT) |
| Phase One: Principal's Qualification Program, Part 1. This will be reflected on your OCT Certificate of Qualifications. You will also receive the OISE CPL Certificate of Completion from the University of Toronto. | Phase One: OISE CPL Certificate of Completion from the University of Toronto. |
Course can be applied towards
Principal's Qualification Program
Education Leaders Program: Phase 1
Full Course Details
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DEADLINE TO REGISTER: JUNE 26, 2025 AT 11:59 P.M. EST - LATE REGISTRATION BEYOND THIS DEADLINE MAY BE AVAILABLE IF SPACE PERMITS.
Online - Asynchronous & Recommended Synchronous Sessions
This session will run for 7 weeks. Your learning will take the form of in-depth online discussions as well as group and individual assignments. Learners will be expected to engage in approximately 6 contact hours of learning per week for a total of 42 hours.
OCT-Certified Learners Seeking PQP Qualifications:
Please follow these steps to complete your application:
- Click "Add to Cart"
- Login to your learner account (or create one)
- Complete the course purchase of $365
- Going back to your learner account, click “My Applications” then “Start”
- Carefully read and complete each component of the application
- Ensure to click "Submit" once you have completed the application
Requests for withdrawal received by the registration deadline will receive a full refund. Requests made after this date will only be considered for extenuating circumstances and require further review and documentation. Should a refund be granted, it would be for the course fee ($365) minus a $50 administrative fee. You can find our withdrawal, refund and transfer policy on our website under Resources > OISE CPL Registration Policies.
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