U of I launches Principal Training Program for North Idaho educators

MOSCOW — A principal training program for Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties will run from Fall 2022 through Spring 2024, facilitated by University of Idaho’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences.

The purpose of the program is to create a pool of candidates who are interested in educational leadership roles as principals in K-12 schools in those counties.

To avoid potential candidate shortages, North Idaho school districts have expressed interest in creating a program to promote readiness for teachers who are interested in becoming principals. In order to assist these schools, and based on the success of establishing a similar program in the West Ada County school district in 2021, the University of Idaho is providing a rapid response for the need.

“There’s a desire to build leadership capacity as a region to strengthen our schools and strengthen our communities,” said Elizabeth Wargo, assistant professor of education at U of I Coeur d’Alene. “It’s our obligation as a land-grant university to help our schools in the Panhandle thrive.”

Student and adjunct instructor applications are due by April 1, 2022. Admission and employment confirmations are expected by June 30, 2022. The program will begin in mid-August 2022 with graduation set for May 2024.

Prospective candidates for the cohort can obtain additional information about the program at uidaho.edu/R1principal.

Prospective adjunct instructors are encouraged to contact Jennifer Kay with U of I Coeur d’Alene at jkay@uidaho,edu.