Developing Leaders for Canada's Best Independent Schools

Dates: July 2 - 6, 2018
Location: St. Michaels University School, Victoria, BC

Next Steps Program Information

Registration for the Next Step Program is closed. Please contact Don Kawasoe (dkawasoe@cais.ca) with any inquiries.

In 2000, a group of CAIS Heads had a vision that the national organization should develop talent, and they created a Leadership Institute (now affectionately known as the LI). The program includes a variety of modules that are specific to the unique nature of independent schools, and the facilitators are leaders in our community who ensure content is relevant and practical to school improvement. Over the years, this program has grown to include a variety of modules, and we are honoured to engage with over 100 participants each summer. The evidence of success is twofold:

• Many of our grads have gone on to assume leadership positions in our schools, including Headships.
• Our grads report that our program has had significant impact on their growth both personally and professionally; additionally, they can demonstrate the impact of our program on our schools.

In 2010, we heard from our graduates that they wanted to experience more CAIS leadership development. We also heard from our schools that there was a need for a targeted program for those administrators who were looking to take the next step in their careers. There had to be an application process and there had to be more experiential learning with impact on our schools. And thus, we launched the Next Step Program. We developed a two-year curriculum, hired three facilitators and five mentors, and limited the program to 12 participants. Our program included two summers and a one-year change project that was supported by mentors.

In 2015, we commissioned Susan Wright to conduct research to better understand the changing leadership landscape. “Leadership in our schools: A Research Project” highlights the following:

• 6 out of 10 Heads in CAIS schools (That’s 58 people!) anticipate they will retire or leave their schools in the next 6 years
• 1 in 5 of the Heads (22%) say they anticipate retiring or leaving their schools fewer than 3 years from now
• 66% of current Heads were not selected from within their school – they were at another school within Canada (50%) or came from a school outside Canada (16%)
• 18% of Heads are not developing any potential successors for potential future headship at their schools

Clearly, there is going to be incredible turnover, and all members of the leadership team are going to need to be more conversant with all aspects of school change.

In 2016, after two rounds of the program, we offer an enhanced opportunity with five facilitators. We surveyed participants; we researched leadership models and competencies; we listened to the advice of Heads, Boards, Leaders, and Search Consultants; and we met as a team to really understand how to best prepare future leaders.

A sincere thank you to the facilitators that are developing our future leaders and shaping the future of education:

• Val Cambre, CEO, Teal and Co. Inc.
• David Hadden, retired School Head, Lakefield College School
• David Robertson, School Head, Shawnigan Lake School
• Barry Wright, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Brock University

In the fall of 2017, we will have an update for candidates interested in enrolling in the fourth cohort program. In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact Elizabeth Chambers at: echambers@cais.ca.