SchoolSims provides a powerful and affordable way to deliver highly effective leadership training. Current and aspiring school leaders are offered a chance to experience real-life scenarios that depict true events but in a simulated setting. Since there aren’t always right or wrong answers when it comes to human behavior, experimentation is encouraged within the simulation as there is no way to fail. Participants practice critical thinking and are encouraged to discuss the reasons behind their choices which allows for peer-to-peer learning. Watch this simulation to learn more about the efficacy of simulated learning for K-12 leaders, click here.

SchoolSims and CALSA partnered to facilitate our Uncovering Hidden Inequity simulation. This session was hosted by Dr. Jeanette Chien (SDCODE) and Ken Spero of SchoolSims (formerly Ed Leadership Sims).

At each decision point, we created breakout rooms to determine a consensus course of action. Upon returning to the larger group, the risks and potential outcomes of the various options and the reason for each group’s decision will be discussed.

We held a remote professional development session focused on School Budget Challenges. The session was hosted by Dr. David De Jong, Professor in the Division of Education Leadership at the University of South Dakota. Current and aspiring school leaders from around the country participated. At each decision point, we created breakout rooms to determine a consensus course of action. Upon returning to the larger group, the risks and potential outcomes of the various options and the reason for each group’s decision will be discussed.

If simulations approximate experience, why isn’t everyone using them? People think instruction equals learning but it is NOT the same thing. We learn from our experiences and the best learning comes from making mistakes and failing (constructively). The stakes are high in schools, as children and families are involved. The situations are complicated with a lot of stakeholder demands and little overlap. There is often no way to satisfy all demands. View the webinar with ParentSquare to learn more.

In this webinar, Dr. David De Jong uses our Navigating the Politics of Equity-Based Budgeting simulation to demonstrate how to facilitate a simulation in a remote manner using tools such as Zoom and Go to Webinar, including using breakout rooms for small group work.

This simulation places you as the newly appointed principal of Waterside School in a district that has a stated commitment to “create high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of each child.”  Your school is experiencing significant shifts in demographics which leads to the challenge of balancing the expectations and perspectives of long-time residents with those of newcomers.  Your job is to uncover specific needs and resolve discrepancies in the treatment of students as you manage the various school stakeholders affected by your decisions.

Retention of school leaders and building a pipeline of future school leaders is more important than ever.  Learn how SchoolSims simulations can enhance and improve your professional development plans for current and aspiring K-12 school leaders and how Titles I, II, and IV-A funds can be leveraged to establish strong principal pipelines and improve student achievement.