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(Past Event) Arizona Supervisors of Principals’ Academy (SOPA)

Arizona Supervisors of Principals' Academy

Now entering its fifth year, the Arizona Supervisors of Principals’ Academy (SOPA) is accepting applications until July 1, 2024 for its 2024-25 cohort. The statewide learning network is designed to support principal supervisors with building skills in coaching and performance evaluation, while also providing a space for supervisors to exchange ideas with one another and improve supervisory systems. 

Individual supervisors or central office teams are invited to join the seven-month SOPA, which is informed by best practices and robust research, and is aligned with the Arizona Department of Education’s Principal Leadership Academy.  

What will the program provide? 

  • Two hours each month of leadership coaching from experienced administrators. 
  • In-person, regional learning sessions facilitated by leading practitioners and researchers on leadership coaching, principal evaluation design, and systems of principal support. 
  • Principal observation and survey tools to ensure supervision is data driven. 

Additionally, SOPA participation can result in continuing education credits.  

Who can participate? 

SOPA members may be charter or public-school principal supervisors who are also: 

  • Superintendents or assistant superintendents 
  • Directors of schools 
  • Human resource directors 
  • Leadership coaches 
  • Other central office administrators 

When does SOPA start and end? 

SOPA is a seven-month professional learning program for principal supervisors. The schedule is as follows: 

SOPA Institute 1: Effective instructional leaders and how to retain them
August 15, 2o24
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phoenix, AZ

Regional session 1: Supervision as a balancing act
Week of September 19, 2024; Date and Location TBD
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Regional session 2: Relationships and culture
Week of October 10, 2024; Date and Location TBD
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

SOPA Institute 2: Observations and instructional feedback
October 24, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phoenix, AZ

Regional session 3: The power of trust
Week of Nov 14, 2024; Date and Location TBD
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Regional session 4: Coaching with evidence
Week of December 12, 2024; Date and Location TBD
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Regional session 5: Principal evaluation practice
Week of January 16, 2025; Date and Location TBD
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Regional session 6: Leading data conversations
Week of February 20, 2025; Date and Location TBD
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

SOPA Institute 3: Celebrating milestones
March 27, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phoenix, AZ

What are the expectations for SOPA learning? 

 Participants are asked to fully commit to the learning activities in the network and actively participate with network members. SOPA is a low-cost professional development opportunity. Joining requires a $500 payment, which supports catering and other accommodations. 

When will applicants be notified about whether they have been accepted into the program? 

 The submission deadline is July 1, 2024. Admission is rolling, and SOPA will notify applicants within five business days after the application is received.