Northern Lights Professional Development Roundtables are designed to deepen our knowledge about promising initiatives happening in Vermont paired with time to reflect together on opportunities for collaboration and integration. Each roundtable includes a panel presentation, Q+A, and time for discussion and reflection.
NL PD Roundtable: Leadership 9/30/25
Panelists:
- Su White discussed the Early Childhood Leadership Institute. Learn more at: https://snellingcenter.org/early-childhood-leadership-institute/
- Tricia Pawlik discussed the LEAD Microcredential for afterschool professionals. Learn more at: https://vermontafterschool.org/lead/
- Meg Atwood discussed the Vermont Early Childhood Network Leadership Academy. Learn more about Vermont Early Childhood Networks at: https://www.vtaeyc.org/vermont-early-childhood-networks-map/
- Amelia Struthers and Kristen Martin discussed the Program Director Credential. Learn more at: https://northernlightsccv.org/career-development/program-director-credential/
Key Takeaways:
- Effective leadership is most often defined in relation to how we interact with, inspire, and influence others.
- Think of leadership as both a verb and as a noun.
- Cultivating leadership skills takes time. Several of our featured programs take place over an extended period, providing time for developing skills and engaging with peers.
Learn More:
- Leadership in Afterschool Programs:
- Effective characteristics for leaders in afterschool programs: https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1367&context=cup_commons_grad_edd
- Building and retaining high quality professional staff for extended education programs: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1251210.pdf
- Leadership in Early Childhood Programs:
- “Distributed leadership is when formal leaders and frontline staff share power and decision making in one or more domains of work. In the context of ECE, distributed leadership is defined as the combined efforts and influence of ECE administrators and teaching staff in leading change and quality improvement. Learn more at: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED621301.pdf
- Early Childhood Program Leadership report 2021: https://mccormick-assets.floodcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/MCECL-ResearchBrief_211130.pdf
- LEAD Early Childhood Clearinghouse: https://mccormickcenter.nl.edu/resources-and-research-2/l-e-a-d-clearinghouse/