Effective Leadership Professional Development

This seven-session series provides participants with an engaging and authentic learning experience. Facilitated by Erie 1 BOCES Superintendents, and faculty from local Educational Leadership programs, the series combines case studies, leadership simulations, and first-hand insights from practicing leaders. Participants explore various leadership roles within districts and reflect on best practices in leading schools and systems. The program also includes a shadowing experience with a school leader. As an added benefit, individuals who complete the series are eligible to receive one tuition-free course if they choose to enroll in a partner leadership certification program. 

Effective Leadership: District Office is a full-day professional learning opportunity targeted toward currently seated school leaders. This session is led by Erie 1 Superintendents (Dr. Graham, Mr. Cimato, Dr. Frahm, Dr. Krueger & Ms. Kersten) and their district office leadership teams. Participants receive an overview of the essential functions of central office operations, including the roles and responsibilities of the Special Education, Human Resources, and Business Offices. The session highlights the working relationship between these offices and the Superintendent, as well as strategies for effective collaboration with district stakeholders. The day concludes with an overview of the Superintendent position.

School Human Resources Micro-Credential is a six-session series. It is intended for building-level and district office leaders, as well as staff who work within or alongside the Human Resources office. Facilitated by experienced school HR professionals and legal counsel (Mark Mambretti, Dana Floriano, JoAnn Balazs, Tony Olivio, Katie Smith, Kelly Eisenried, & Brian Doyle), the program provides practical instruction on personnel administration, labor relations, and compliance with employment law. Sessions cover the full employee lifecycle from hiring and onboarding to performance management and separation with a strong focus on reducing liability and improving operational effectiveness. Attendees will benefit from real-world lessons learned and best practices grounded in current law and policy. Participants who complete the full series will receive CTLE credit and an officially endorsed micro-credential from the University at Buffalo. In addition to the face-to-face meeting there will be approximetely one hour of on-line engagement for each session.

Offered in the winter through spring, the School Business Office Micro-Credential is an eight-session series. Facilitated by experienced School Business Officials, the program offers a deep dive into the essential functions of a public-school business office in New York State. Participants engage in targeted learning across eight core content areas, which include governance, budgeting, accounting, procurement, facilities management, operations, and leadership. Through a combination of workshops, online learning modules, and applied projects, participants earn individual badges that culminate in a comprehensive micro-credential endorsed by Buffalo State University. The program equips attendees with both technical knowledge and leadership skills necessary to successfully navigate and support the fiscal and operational functions of a school district.