If principals are proven to have the second-largest impact on student achievement, what can we do to set them up for success? The SchoolSims library of simulations for school leaders has been shown to assist in the development of diverse, successful principals who are knowledgeable about teaching, individuals, and organizations.

SchoolSims simulations provide an opportunity for current and aspiring school leaders to gain virtual experience dealing with situations before facing those same issues in real-life. School Leaders also have the opportunity to enhance their peer-to-peer and collaborative decision-making skills to help reduce the feelings of isolation and through shared simulated experiences increase communications.

The new era of, at a minimum, blended and hybrid learning requires visionary leadership more than ever. SchoolSims is equipped and ready to serve districts by providing personalized virtual professional development – and the stimulus funds & waivers provide both funding and flexibility for your district to participate in high-quality PD to truly prepare your educators for this new normal.

School-based simulations provide authentic experiences for principal preparation programs equipping current and aspiring school leaders to meet future challenges. Simulations play a vital role in closing the preparedness gap by teaching through doing and offer a unique opportunity for peer-to-peer learning. Peer-to-peer learning is one of the most sought-after forms of principal preparation with more than 52% of principals stating that this is a key method for developing capacity1.  Simulations are an effective training tool when played asynchronously or can be completed online with a group. Online, facilitated sessions offer leaders, who might feel isolated during this COVID-challenged environment, an opportunity to collaborate and connect with others over a shared experience.

School-based simulations provide authentic experiences for principal preparation programs equipping current and aspiring school leaders to meet future challenges. Simulations play a vital role in closing the preparedness gap by teaching through doing and offer a unique opportunity for peer-to-peer learning. Peer-to-peer learning is one of the most sought-after forms of principal preparation with more than 52% of principals stating that this is a key method for developing capacity1.  Simulations are an effective training tool when played asynchronously or can be completed online with a group. Online, facilitated sessions offer leaders, who might feel isolated during this COVID-challenged environment, an opportunity to collaborate and connect with others over a shared experience.

Leadership matters and nowhere does consistent leadership matter more than within our schools.  Numerous studies have definitively concluded:  school leaders drive youth outcomes.  Without effective principals, school culture is lost, teachers become disenfranchised with changing priorities, and student achievement suffers.  When principals are prepared, feel supported, and have the skills necessary to establish and maintain highly effective school settings, students prosper.

On this page, we will discuss the benefits that simulated experiences have on manufacturing experience and essentially accelerating the time to growing the experience of current and aspiring K-12 school leaders. Below you will see how simulations improve judgment and decision-making for K-12 school leaders as well as comments by those who have benefited from using simulations in professional development and/or educational leadership programs. Finally, we will discuss how simulations can be used in both Synchronous vs. Asynchronous environments, including remote, virtual learning. We hope you take the time to read this page and benefit from the content.

Teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling. Many factors contribute to a student’s academic performance, but research suggests that, among school-related factors, teachers matter most.

Having been involved with simulations for over 30 years and working with leaders in different industries around the world, I have experienced firsthand just how powerful sim-based learning can be. Advancements in neuroscience and the recognition of how biases/heuristics influence decision-making, substantiate that simulations are the best modality to provide deep and fundamental learning.  And because simulations can effectively be delivered in so many ways, they are considered one of the most versatile learning tools available.  While simulations are used to train other high stakes jobs such as pilots, healthcare providers, firefighters, and soldiers, simulations are not a widely recognized training modality in the K-12 space…yet.

Working with graduate students who are preparing for administrative careers and school leadership presents the need to balance academics with practicality. Understanding theories of leadership is important. Practicing what to do in decision-making situations is critical. For the last two years, much of the practicality has come from the use of simulations.

Given the urgent challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, districts may not believe it possible to continue to effectively focus on the critical objective of building a leadership pipeline.  Fortunately, by deploying online simulations, districts can provide both sitting and aspiring leaders with developmental opportunities to experience problems of practice in a collaborative and communication-rich manner.  Online, collaborative simulations provide organizations a chance to contextualize learning for their participants even when it is not possible to be together in person.