Delaware Academy for School Leadership

UD PPP: Principal Preparation Program

The Principal Preparation Program (PPP) is an 18-month program leading to principal certification in the State of Delaware

Are you interested in becoming an assistant principal or principal?

The University of Delaware Principal Preparation Program is an 18-month program in the State of Delaware that provides the necessary requirements for assistant principal/principal certification. Each program component supports student development of five core competencies which align with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards:

  • Vision and Goals
  • Teaching, Learning and Community Supports for Students
  • People, Professional Staff, Families, and Community
  • Systems, Operations, and Management
  • Professional Norms and Ethics

The UD Principal Preparation Program Cohort 10 application is available on this website from October 16, 2023 – January 31, 2024.

Delaware Academy for School Leadership Principal Preparation Program brochure cover

Click image to access the UD PPP Brochure

Why UD PPP?

  • Statewide cohort model utilizing a hybrid learning model;
  • Four core courses: Leadership for Today’s Students and Schools; Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction; Leadership for People, Systems & Operations; and Early Childhood Leadership;
  • Alignment to the Professional Standards for Educational Leadership, Delaware’s Leadership Standards
  • Two internship experiences totaling 240+ hours with principal mentors who have a proven track record of success;
  • DPAS II for Teachers credentialing including opportunities to practice giving feedback to educators;
  • Focused action research project focused on a real problem of practice in their school or district;
  • Seminars on current trends and issues in educational leadership
  • One year of leadership coaching following program completion & upon hire in a school leadership position

Nathalie Princilus

“As a Cohort 1 Graduate of the University of Delaware’s Principal Preparation Program, I am confident that I have received the right training to tackle the challenges of 21st century Educational Leadership to assure for success for all learners.”

Nathalie Princilus, Assistant Principal, Delcastle Technical High School, New Castle County Vo-Tech School District

Program Components

The UD PPP coursework, internships and action research project are integral components to the in-depth curriculum and hands-on participant experience.

The University of Delaware Principal Preparation Program consists of four sequential core courses that align with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards. Utilizing a hybrid model, course delivery of instruction includes both face-to-face and virtual classes.  Course 1: Leadership for Today’s Students and Schools  This course is an introduction to school leadership, focusing on the many requirements, expectations and demands required for a successful school leader.  Example topics include: leadership styles, establishment of vision, comprehensive school reform, equity-centered leadership, creating and communicating positive school culture, communication and climate.   Course 2: Leadership for People, Systems, and Operations This course uses a variety of interactive learning strategies to address the essential management related components to being a school leader. Example topics in this course include finance, legal issues, managing the negotiated agreement, school safety planning, administrative services, policies and protocol, and interviewing/hiring/supporting staff in an equity-centered environment. Course 3: Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction  This course is designed to cover the core tenets of the school leader’s role towards being a highly effective equity-centered instructional leader.  It examines the major themes of instructional leadership including, but not limited to, coaching staff, professional development, leveraging data, integrating technology, and allocating resources to support instructional improvement. Course 4: Early Childhood Leadership  This course focuses on helping future leaders develop a solid understanding of the many requirements, resources and supports necessary to provide a solid equity-centered early educational foundation for all students in Delaware.  Example topics include: early childhood policy, instructional leadership, evaluation and supervision in Pre-K to 3 settings, school readiness, appropriate instruction and assessment of young children, effective literacy instruction, creating a positive school culture, and family and community connections. In addition to the 4 required courses, participants will receive training on Delaware’s educator evaluation system and have opportunities to practice and receive feedback. They will leave the  program as credentialed evaluators of educators.

UD PPP participants engage in a two-part internship totaling at least 240 hours, across two placements at different levels/grade bands, over the course of the 18-month program.  The internships are guided collaboratively by the participating student, assigned principal-mentors and their DASL internship mentor, who supports the students during their experiences. The internship placements provide students with relevant, standards-based experiences in actual school settings.  4 courses and one internship graphic timeline

Throughout the span of the program, UD PPP participants are engaged in an action research related to a real-time challenge associated with their school or district. With guidance from program faculty and support from coursework, students are required to identify a Problem of Practice (POP), research, plan and implement a course of action to address their POP. Culminating in a Research Symposium, students conduct a 15-20 minute presentation to highlight the significant findings from their action research process.

University of Delaware PPP Faculty

UD PPP participants are taught and coached by highly experienced instructors who offer extensive backgrounds working in both school-level and district-level administrative positions. With deep knowledge of evidence-based practices, UD PPP instructors further enhance participant learning by offering years of first-hand experiential knowledge in leading schools.

Amy Grundy, Ed.D., Instructor and Program Lead for Curriculum & Instruction

Kevin Fitzgerald, Ed.D., District Partnerships

Alison Travers, Ed.D. Assistant Director of DASL

UD PPP Program Coordinator

Ann Little, Ed.D. Instructor

Tracy HudsonInstructor

Le Roy Whitehead, Ed.D. Instructor

Chester Cox, Internship Mentor

Michele Savage, Internship Mentor

Application open from October 16, 2023 – January 31, 2024:

The UD PPP seeks qualified applicants to apply for Cohort 10, which will kick off in August 2024.

Admissions Requirements Include:

  • Transcripts from an accredited institution of higher learning indicating the candidate has earned a master’s degree, and a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
  • Evidence of leadership in current and previous educator roles;
  • Formative and summative performance evaluations demonstrating excellence as an educator for a minimum of five (5) years*;
  • A writing sample; and
  • Three letters of recommendation (including one from a current supervisor)

Spotlight on Recent UD PPP Graduates

In their own words, UD PPP graduates share their experience in the program.

Ursula McCoy

Ursula McCoy, Cohort 1 Graduate (December 2016)

What is your position/location now? I am entering my second year as an Assistant Principal at William Penn High School

Can you speak to how either the coaching, action research, coursework or internship experience helped to prepare you for your leadership position? Each aspect of the program provided unique insight to the many vantage points of administration.  The Problem of Practice component of Action Research provided me an opportunity to consider how to effectively identify, analyze, and act on data in order to drive decision making and systemic change for all stakeholders.  Likewise, receiving coaching during the internships and during the first years as an assistant principal from leaders renown in their positions was invaluable.  These leaders provided guidance on creating sustainable systems that enhanced my identity as a change agent within the school.

What might you say to someone who is considering the DASL PPP? The DASL PPP was a life-changing decision for me!! It served as a major stepping stone for my goals as a school leader!!  The program is designed to prepare its’ graduates to be effective administrators immediately upon successful completion.   I highly recommend the PPP to anyone who is ready to step into the role of school leadership at the administrative level.

Kristen Palma

Kristin Palma, Cohort 2 Graduate (December 2017)

What is your position/location now? I am in my second year as the Assistant Principal at Baltz Elementary School in Red Clay School District.

What was an aspect of the program that you feel was particularly beneficial for your preparation into leadership? The relationships I built with my cohort and program leaders was most beneficial. Sometimes you get stuck inside the bubble of your district and it was really nice to form professional relationships across the state with other leaders. It really comes in handy when you need to bounce something off someone or reach out for advice!

Can you speak to how either the coaching, action research, coursework or internship experience helped to prepare you for your leadership position? To me, the internship experience was crucial in gaining the experience necessary to move forward in a leadership role. The hands on work I did day to day really helped build my confidence and give me real life scenarios to work out. I loved being able to see leadership in two different buildings at two different levels (elementary and middle school) and believe it made me a better leader to step out of my comfort zone a little.

What would you say to someone who is considering the DASL PPP? Don’t hesitate! It is a fantastic program that really prepares you for administration. My time in the DASL PPP was invaluable and has allowed me to land where I am today and feel ready to take on the roles and responsibilities given to me.

Stephanie Callaway

Stephanie Callaway, Cohort 2 Graduate (December 2017)

What is your position/location now? I am the Lead Teacher for STEP at Colonial School District.

What was an aspect of the program that you feel was particularly beneficial for your preparation into leadership? Connecting with leaders from across Delaware was a major benefit to my learning and continual growth.  Anytime you are given the opportunity to collaborate with educators in other districts, your eyes are opened, and your mind is challenged to consider new ways of thinking and operating.

Can you speak to how either the coaching, action research, coursework or internship experience helped to prepare you for your leadership position? The action research I completed during my internships along with the support of UD professors shifted my thinking about the role data plays and how important continuous improvement can be to a system.  It fueled me to seek to define challenges, use data to support necessary changes, engage in PDSA’s and ultimately improve conditions for both educators and students in our district.  My work during the 18 months empowered me to network with others around the principles of improvement.  It continues to be the center of the work I currently lead in Colonial.

What might you say to someone who is considering the DASL PPP? If you are looking for a community of leaders who are seeking not only to improve their own skill set, but learn the ways to move schools and systems – this program will provide you that very opportunity.  I’m grateful for this network of leaders and professors I respect.  I genuinely can say that my greatest gain was a network of friends.

James Callaway

James Callaway, Cohort 2 Graduate (December 2017)

What is your position/location now? I am a Product Specialist at the Data Service Center.

What was an aspect of the program that you feel was particularly beneficial for your preparation into leadership? Collaborating with people who bring different experiences to the table was beneficial for me. It allowed me to expand my tool box and broaden my scope. The relationships I built in this program are still helping me to grow and learn.

Can you speak to how either the coaching, action research, coursework or internship experience helped to prepare you for your leadership position?  The practical nature of the course work helped to prepare me for my future in leadership. The real-life experiences shared by the instructors as well as working through specific scenarios together in the classroom helped me to expand my professional tool box. The professors were always accessible to assist me when I had questions or needed guidance during the course and more importantly, once I was in a leadership role.

What might you say to someone who is considering the DASL PPP? The flexibility of this program was a huge help for me as a working educator.  Seeking to grow and learn while also performing the daily job as an instructional coach is no easy task.  The compassion of the group was evident from the first session. The relationships that were built as well as the network of support that was created will help me learn and grow for years to come.

Thank you Delaware principals for supporting our UD PPP interns!

Alison Travers

Alison Travers

Contact us with questions about the next cohort for UD PPP: Principal Preparation Program

Alison Travers, Assistant Director of DASL, atravers@udel.edu