Grant Program Creates New Pipeline for Principals
Shenandoah University’s Teacher Licensure Program Chosen To Participate In Select Group
Four licensed educators – one from the city of Winchester and three from Spotsylvania County – interested in becoming school principals will receive a no-cost, grant-funded Shenandoah University education as part of Virginia’s initial Principal Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Shenandoah’s Division of Education and Leadership is one of six educator preparation programs chosen for the federally funded Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) grants benefiting 17 school divisions. The initiative is anticipated to support 37 educators seeking to earn a master’s degree or certification in administration and supervision no later than June 30, 2027. Shenandoah will receive more than $45,600 from a $510,000 grant pool.
“[The] grant money covers all candidate costs — including tuition, books, fees, and the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA),” said Shenandoah University Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Educational Administration Deran R. Whitney, Ed.D. “Each selected division identified licensed teachers to participate, and the SU Division of Education and Leadership provides the academic coursework, mentoring framework, and supervision.”
Winchester and Spotsylvania were chosen for the program because each division has a demonstrated need for principal pipelines and are ready to collaborate in the apprenticeship model, Dr. Whitney said. “Their selection reflects both their needs and SU Division of Education and Leadership’s existing partnerships with divisions committed to leadership development,” he said, noting that both divisions will assure on-site mentor principals, apprenticeship placements and the expected 2,000 hours of fieldwork.
Whitney said the grant award speaks to Shenandoah’s statewide reputation for preparing school leaders. “This affirms that the Division of Education and Leadership is a reliable partner, a respected institution, and a provider of quality leadership preparation.”
The financial backing for the apprenticeship program comes from a $6 million award from the U.S. Department of Labor’s competitive State Apprenticeship Expansion Funding Grant, which the VDOE applied for in partnership with Virginia Works: Virginia’s Department of Workforce Development and Advancement to support workforce development efforts in the field of education.
“This grant exemplifies the power of collaboration between education and workforce development,” Commissioner of Virginia Works Nicole Overley said in a press release about the award. “By investing in the growth of our future school leaders through the Principal Registered Apprenticeship Program, we are not only enhancing educational leadership but also strengthening our learning outcomes and the fabric of our communities. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing Virginians with accessible pathways to meaningful careers and ensuring that our schools are led by dynamic, capable and future-ready leaders.”
The other teacher licensure programs included in the program are at Averett University, George Mason University, Regent University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia State University.
