The CESA New Principals Institute is designed to engage principals new to the position in the past two to three years. The Institute is designed to ground divisional leadership in the philosophy and practice that will help new principals find success in leading distinctively Christian, academically challenging divisions and create a culture where teachers and students can thrive.

This year, the New Principals Institute will be hosted by Wesleyan School in Atlanta, Georgia on June 22-25, 2025. The Institute is designed with an emphasis on practical support for the development of core competencies of principal leadership to equip leaders to thrive and will be attended by leaders from outstanding CESA schools from around the country that are new to their positions within the past two to three years. Among the greatest benefits of attending the institute will be the creation of a nationwide network of excellent leaders for ongoing professional support and collaboration in the years to follow.  The New Principal’s Institute is designed to work in tandem with the Wisdom Walk Mentorship. 

A comprehensive leadership development curriculum will include 6 sessions over the course of three and a half days.

Core Elements of Divisional Leadership

This session will assist new principals in developing a tool kit for mastering the foundational skills that are universally necessary for leaders to succeed. In this session, principals will develop these competencies:

• Practical Competencies of an effective Principal 
• Inspiring, Leading, and Managing Subordinates
• Leading from the Middle

Academic Leadership

New principals must have a solid understanding of leading teachers toward continuous improvement and inspire the accomplishment of the academic and spiritual mission of the school. In this session, principals will develop these competencies:

• Leading and Coordinating Effective Professional Development
• Effective Implementation of Christian Worldview
• Curriculum Analysis and Review Process

Cultivating Healthy School Culture

Preeminent voices in leadership development say the most important thing leaders do is create and manage culture. Principals can be so busy trying to manage day-to-day operations, they don’t have time to think about building culture. In this session, principals will learn how to:

• Set the Tone for School-Wide Behavioral Expectations
• Institutionalize Culture in Practice
• Hold all Constituents Accountable to Culture

Managing Parent and Student Relations

From a practical standpoint, managing parent and student relations can be one of the trickiest and most stressful parts of a principal’s job. Principals need to know how to support both their teachers and parents, manage expectations, and keep parents on their team. Session skill building will include:

• Practical Strategies for Winning with Parents
• Establishing Healthy Relational Boundaries
• Process Management for Student Discipline

Spiritual Life and Formation

In Christian education, principals are not only academic leaders, they are spiritual guides who set the tone for the achievement of the spiritual mission of the school. This session will explore:

• Philosophy and Practice of Relational Ministry
• Pastoral care of staff and students
• Establishing Routines for Daily Encounters with Christ

Self-Care - Managing a Balanced Life for Sustained Thriving

Burnout is a troubling trend in the field of education, and with the demands and pressures of the leadership position, principals need to have a plan to guard their personal well-being. This session will foster the development of:

• Foundational Habits for Maintaining Life Balance
• Networks for Support
• Personal/Professional Boundary Magna Carta

In addition to rich content and skill-building, participants will experience casual networking opportunities throughout the event. The cost is $1,800 and registration is limited and opens in November! Registration includes all sessions over four days, all meals and outings, and materials. Transportation and lodging are NOT included.