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POLK COUNTY—Dr. Kim McMinn, principal of Polk Central Elementary School, has completed the Distinguished Leadership in Practice Program, a year-long leadership development initiative for practicing school principals statewide.

The Distinguished Leadership in Practice Program uses a non-traditional professional development model aligned to performance evaluation standards adopted by the State Board of Education for North Carolina’s school leaders. The cohort-based program limits principals’ time away from their schools by scheduling face-to-face sessions once every other month while providing online assignments, materials and coaching between sessions.

Principals engage in authentic activities throughout the year-long experience designed to build both their schools’ capacity and their own skills as distinguished school leaders.

Polk County Schools recently announced that after four years leading Polk Central Elementary, McMinn will be moving from Polk Central to become director of Polk County Early College.

The DLP program is designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association and sponsored by the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development. Dr. Shirley Prince, NCPAPA executive director, said the leadership of school principals ranks among the most important factors in school quality. She noted that program graduates demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement by working to enhance their leadership skills while simultaneously improving their schools.

The North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association, established in 1976, serves as the primary organization and state voice for principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders.