Sampson County Schools is pleased to announce that Beth Elmore, principal of Plain View Elementary School, and Isaac Bruton, principal of Hobbton Middle School, have been selected for the Early Career Principals Academy (ECPA) conducted by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals Association (NCPAPA). This groundbreaking initiative promises to deliver enriching professional growth opportunities.
About the Early Career Principals Academy:
The ECPA is a revolutionary 3-year leadership development program, established through a collaborative partnership between the NC Department of Public Instruction, the Belk Foundation, and the NC Alliance for School Leadership Development. The Academy aims to foster excellence in early-career principals through a comprehensive curriculum and network-building.
“I am excited for the opportunity to grow as the instructional leader for Plain View and network with principals around the state,” said Elmore. “Being a principal is more than being the person who does discipline and schedules, it's an investment to support and promote faculty and staff, to engage and grow our students as successful learners, and to bridge the community as stakeholders for our future leaders.”
A Three-Year Journey:
The program's structure involves a series of quarterly full-group in-person sessions, complemented by interactive and engaging virtual meetings led by distinguished school leaders. Through this blended approach, participants, including Elmore and Bruton, will be equipped with the necessary skills to cultivate optimal school environments, tailored to the diverse needs of every student.
Building Leadership Excellence:
The Early Career Principals Academy curriculum aligns meticulously with both state and national principal performance standards and competencies. The Academy seeks to empower participants to strengthen their leadership potential, foster a collaborative network culture, and lay the foundation for an accomplished future in educational leadership.
"The ECPA will allow me to broaden and expand my expertise and acquire advanced skills under the guidance of distinguished leaders in our profession," said Bruton. "I intend to leverage these competencies to effectively address the diverse needs of our students, staff, and stakeholders at Hobbton Middle School. This represents an exceptionally promising opportunity."
A Milestone Achievement:
As part of the ECPA journey, participants will complete the NCPAPA's Distinguished Leadership in Practice (DLP) program in the third year. This marks an exceptional achievement for individuals dedicated to advancing their expertise in the educational landscape.
“Mrs. Elmore’s and Mr. Bruton’s selection for the Early Career Principals Academy not only reflects their outstanding contributions to Sampson County Schools but also showcases their commitment to the enhancement of educational leadership,” said Dr. Jamie King, superintendent of Sampson County Schools.