Building Baldwin’s Future Leaders: Inside the Assistant Principals Academy

In Baldwin County School District, professional growth is built into the very foundation of our schools. One of the newest examples of this commitment is the Assistant Principals Academy, launched by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Rodney Tyson.

“We saw a need to get some professional development going with our leaders in the district to develop a pipeline for our future leaders,” said Dr. Tyson. This quarterly academy brings together assistant principals from across the district for targeted training, mentorship, and peer collaboration.

Growing a Leadership Pipeline

The academy was designed with several goals in mind:

• Developing future leaders – preparing assistant principals to step into roles as principals and district administrators.

• Ensuring consistency – aligning leadership practices across schools.

• Supporting retention – investing in the growth and morale of assistant principals.

• Encouraging networking – creating space for leaders to share successes and strategies with peers.

  
  

As Dr. Tyson explained, “Assistant principals take care of teachers, staff, and students, but we also wanted to make sure they had a professional growth opportunity, a chance to get what they need to grow”.

The first session, held last week, revealed just how ambitious Baldwin’s assistant principals are. According to Dr. Tyson, “We had seven or eight that wanted to be principals. We talked about the things it would take to make them competitive for those opportunities and how they can make themselves stand out”.

Baldwin Leaders Making an Impact—Here and Beyond

While the ultimate goal is to keep Baldwin’s leaders within the district, Dr. Tyson acknowledged the broader impact of this investment. “We know we won’t be able to keep 100% of our leaders,” he said. “But when they leave Baldwin County, we want them equipped with the tools to go and be successful—so other districts can say, ‘Wow, Baldwin has really poured into the development of this leader.'"

Looking Ahead: Expanding Professional Development

The Assistant Principals Academy is just the beginning. Dr. Tyson shared that Baldwin County Schools plans to expand these opportunities to aspiring leaders at all levels, including classroom teachers who want to move into administration.

“As a deputy superintendent, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t reflect back on something I did as an assistant principal,” Dr. Tyson reflected. “That’s the foundation of your leadership years, and that’s why we started here."

For teachers who aspire to step into leadership roles, Dr. Tyson’s advice is simple: take a “test drive.” “Assist your school leadership whenever you can. Volunteer for duties, organize events, or shadow your administrators. Once they see you’re serious about getting involved, they’ll provide opportunities. And if you need guidance, reach out to us at the district. We’ll help point you in the right direction."