Programme Description
The Strategic Middle Leadership Initiative (SMLI) was designed to adequately prepare middle leaders with the skills needed to effectively manage and support and transfer ideas and information effectively.
Programme Objectives
The programme is designed to equip middle leaders with the tools necessary to allow the transfer of information and ideas in the most optimal manner, whilst managing the many possible conflicts, misunderstandings or disconnections that may arise. Middle leadership can be considered as the conduit through which the organizational vision, goals and instructions are transferred.
Consequently, this programme focuses on four critical areas that are paramount to the development of effective middle leadership, including:
- development of highly effective middle leaders to achieve better student outcomes;
- equip middle leaders with strategies/techniques to manage student behavioural challenges;
- facilitate the development of a learning culture that will increase leadership capacity;
- equip middle leaders with strategies to bridge the gap between top strategic leadership and the frontline.
Admission Requirements
The programme is open to school leaders who are serving at the middle leadership level within a public or private educational institution.
Programme Delivery
The course is delivered asynchronously via the Learning Management System of the National College for Educational Leadership. The online course will include readings, videos and self-assessment activities.
Programme Structure
This online programme consists of four short courses each addressing the key leadership characteristics and competencies. It is administered over a period of four months with appropriate breaks between courses which will enable participants to reflect and regroup.
The following courses are components of the Strategic Middle Leadership Initiative:
| Course | Overview |
| Leadership for Personal Growth and Development | This course examines the establishment of effective school leadership structures through mobilizing and energizing others with the goal of improving teaching and learning. |
| Leadership for Capacity Building | This course examines the ways that effective middle leaders discharge their duties with regard to providing effective guidance to those that they supervise. |
| Leadership for Teaching and Learning | This course seeks to equip middle leaders with the skills necessary to guide staff in achieving effective instructional delivery. |
| Leadership for Change and Sustainable Development | This course seeks to establish the middle leader as a strategist in the achievement of effective visioning, planning and implementation. |
Programme Officer
Mr. Jamie Russell has been doing significant work for the past 8 years in designing and managing capacity building initiatives for school leaders across Jamaica’s education system and other Caribbean regions.
Programme Administrator
Tammane Lumley is one of the College’s strategic and adept Programmes Administrators who has obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing from the University of the Common Wealth Caribbean.
