The Superintendent Professional Development Program is a two?year course of study designed to prepare individuals for the local superintendency. The program is designed to ensure that any individual who aspires to serve in the superintendency may benefit from a focused and job?specific preparation program for that highly responsible position.
"This was an undertaking I began prior to my arrival in Newton County," said Carpenter. "I am
fortunate to have worked with superintendents in the past who endorsed my participation in this prestigious program. In addition, I want to publicly thank Dr. [Steve] Whatley for supporting my completion of this program and recognizing the value that participation in this type of program adds to our district."
The Superintendent Professional Development Program extends beyond the work of traditional
graduate classes that concentrate in the practical realm of administration. The SPDP curriculum focuses on leadership development as well as practical, job?specific experiences that provide a first?hand look at the superintendency. Participants completing this professional development program possess not only the theoretical background for effective leadership, but also, a practical understanding of what it really means to lead a local school system.
The faculty consists of recognized professors of educational leadership and related fields, outstanding current and former school superintendents, private sector leadership development consultants, and others who have demonstrated competence in given areas of study. The program's curriculum is based on the Professional Standards for the Superintendency.
Minimum requirements for selection into the Superintendent Professional Development Program include possession of the L?6 certificate, three or more years of satisfactory experience in education as an administrator, two professional recommendations, and a successful admissions interview detailing the individual's motivation for serving in the capacity of local school superintendent.
Generally between 50 to 100 applications are received with only 25 Georgia school leaders selected by a committee of superintendents, college professors and business leaders to participate in the two?year program.
"Over the course of the last two years, I had the opportunity to spend one weekend per month with some of the finest educational leaders in our state," said Carpenter. "The knowledge we gained from nationally acclaimed presenters and each other, combined with the camaraderie we established, will serve us well as we continue the rewarding work of educating Georgia's children."
