6-WEEK Graduate-Level COURSE

Nature & Role of the School Head

The central project of this six-week course is to explore the philosophy and model of Charlotte Mason (1842-1923) alongside current research into the nature and role of school instructional leadership. Most certainly, understanding and applying the principles and practices of a late 19th, early 20th century educationalist may be challenging in a modern school. How is the school to apply Mason’s universalizing principles as found in her 20 Principles in a current world and educational context? Moreover, how is the School Head – in charge of the mission, vision, curriculum, and persons of the school – to hold the school consistent in its fidelity to these principles? How do we describe the attributes and characteristics of a school leader in their role as servant leader amongst a community of instructional practitioners committed to a universalizing philosophy of education? What does that kind of leadership look like and what does it entail? Over the next six weeks, we will attempt to unpack the unique nature and role of the school Head in a Mason school.

Meeting Times:

Thursdays @ 7:00-8:00pm EST

Course Begins:

The class officially begins the week of March 29.

Class Meetings:

April 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13

Course Topics
Week 1: Servant Leadership
Week 2: Understanding and Action
Week 3: Vision and Direction
Week 4: Instructional Practitioners
Week 5: Organization and Collaboration
Week 6: Authority and Power Issues

Prerequisites: None required. Anyone can jump into these courses regardless of their academic background or even their familiarity with Charlotte Mason's ideas. While these courses require more written assignments and dive further into Charlotte Mason's ideas and educational theory than our certificate level courses, we believe they are rewarding and accessible for anyone willing to put in the work – whether a homeschooling parent, classroom teacher, school administrator, or grad student.

Students who wish to proceed to the University of Cumbria MA in Charlotte Mason Studies may need an undergraduate degree to meet admission requirements.

Professional Development: Participants receive a certificate of completion showing 30 Professional Development hours after successfully completing the class.

…we perceive that the great work of education is to inspire children with vitalising ideas as to every relation of life, every department of knowledge, every subject of thought; and to give deliberate care to the formation of those habits of the good life which are the outcome of vitalizing ideas. In this great work we seek and assuredly find the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, whom we recognize, in a sense rather new to modern thought, as the supreme Educator of mankind….

~ Charlotte Mason, School Education, p.173