ILEAD Superintendent Certification Brochure Information
Indian Leadership Education and Development (Superintendent Certification)
A Collaborative Project of:
- Little Big Horn College
- The Educational Leadership Program at Montana State University in Bozeman
Contact
Dr. Bill Ruff
wruff@montana.edu
(406) 994-4182
Project Description
The purpose of the I LEAD project is to recruit, educate, certify and place American
Indian educators into administrative positions at schools with high populations of
Native American students. Candidates will participate in six blocks of instruction
spanning a timeframe of about 24 months. This instruction will result in the award
of an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership and state certification
as a School Superintendent. Note under this program options also exist for working
toward an Ed.D. or for school superintendent certification only. Those interested
in either of these two options should talk with Drs. Ruff or Versland. The curriculum
focuses the improvement of instruction and school system programs through problem-based
learning assignments. Each candidate will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced
administrator of schools with high populations of Native American students.
Classes during the school year will be conducted using distance instructional
methods blended with face to face instruction conducted in centralized locations.
Summer classes will be held during two 2-week sessions on the MSU campus at Bozeman.
In addition to leadership coursework, summer sessions will include a series of seminars
focusing on Indian Education and indigenous cultural activities. Upon completion of
the program and placement as a school administrator, program faculty will continue
to support students through a 1-year induction program. All participants must agree
to serve as administrators in schools serving Native American children for a period
of time equal to the length of their education and training.
Benefits to Candidates
- Educational Specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership
- Qualification for state certification as school superintendent
- Tuition and fees paid including all admissions fees
- Books, and all necessary course materials and supplies will be provided to each candidate
- Summer stipends to offset the costs of attending sessions conducted at the Bozeman Campus.
Candidate Requirements
- Be a member of a federal or state recognized tribe or have a parent or grandparent that was a tribal member
- Have an initial school principal license.
- Hold a Master’s Degree and be admitted to Montana State University’s graduate program
Initial Application Process
- Complete all the steps necessary for admission to Montana State University’s Graduate Program
- Completing the graduate application
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Essay explaining aspirations for school leadership
- Transcripts from previous colleges attended
Frequently Asked Questions
What would happen if I decided not to apply for an administrative position after completing
the program?
This I LEAD project requires a payback of one year of service as an administrator
at a school serving Native American students for every year of participation or a
payback of the funds spent for your participation in I LEAD structured as a student
loan.
Do I have to take all the courses at the times specified by cohort?
Although you will have to take all of the courses, you could develop an alternative
schedule allowing you to accelerate graduation or slow the pace Keep in mind, that
all course work must be completed by summer of 2015
Can I participate in the MSU classes offered through the I LEAD program, if I am not
Native American, but work with Native American students?
The I LEAD program is for those educators that are tribal members themselves or those
with parents or grandparents who are tribal members. You may attend the classes offered
to I LEAD participants, but you will have to pay tuition, fees and books, just like
any other course.