School system hires Wingate University doctoral program graduate Todd Thorpe as assistant superintendent
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Wingate University's first doctoral program graduate to lead Wingate Elementary School
With nine years of experience in school administration under his belt and his doctorate degree in hand, Michael Henderson is ready for his new position as principal of Wingate Elementary School.
He is one of 20 students in Wingate University's charter class to complete the doctoral program at the Matthews Campus and earn the Ed.D. degree in educational leadership. Based on N.C.'s 21st Century education standards, the doctoral program takes a new approach to training future educators. Taught by experienced superintendents and administrators, the program addresses real issues facing today's schools. To complete his degree Henderson had to complete a capstone project which entailed resolving a problem or issue impacting the effectiveness of a school, school district or educational service agency.
His final project addressed the issue of class roster creation and how elementary school administrators group students based on a set of key indicators. When considering his project, Henderson's preliminary study found no current research on the topic. "No one had done anything on this," he said. "I was kind of a pioneer."
Henderson identified 24 key indicators that may be helpful when creating class rosters and created a questionnaire for Union County's 27 elementary school leaders. He found the schools that considered certain factors had higher reading growth than schools that did not. The indicators dealt with areas such as learning styles, teacher experience and clustering students with exceptionalities. For example, grouping AIG students with certain teachers played a role in reading success as well as the number of years a teacher has taught in a certain grade level.
Other key indicators dealt with students with a history of misbehavior. He also looked at teacher history of EOG test performance and peer role models in the classroom. Henderson found that the schools that followed 11 of the indicators showed less reading growth among their students than schools that considered 18. He presented his results to the 27 elementary schools in May. "I've received so much positive feedback from principals," said Henderson.
"As an adjunct professor in the Wingate doctoral program, I had the pleasure of having Mike in class and I am so proud of him for completing the program in such an exemplary fashion," said Union County Schools Superintendent Ed Davis. "His doctoral capstone project will be most valuable to elementary principals in working to establish class rolls. Mike's work in this area will be of great benefit to any principal who chooses to use the indicators identified in his project."
Henderson was reassigned in June from his position at Shiloh Elementary School to Wingate Elementary School, just around the corner from his alma mater. "It is a bit ironic that he completed the degree and then I decided to reassign him to Wingate Elementary," said Davis. "It was not designed to happen that way, but things have a way of working out well for good people. Wingate Elementary is a great school and Dr. Henderson will take it to even greater heights."
Now that he's earned the highest degree in his field, he is looking forward to trading his 20 hours of weekly study time with more family time. "My goal was to be done with the program before my new daughter started walking," said Henderson. She is now eight months old and will soon take her first steps while her father steps into his new role.
Wingate University's doctoral program currently has more than 80 students in nine counties who, like Henderson are working as practicing school leaders aspiring to become principals, superintendents and central office administrators. "Our graduates in the program will eventually assume new roles as a large percentage of current superintendents and principals are expected to retire in the next ten years," said Lloyd Wimberley, director of the Wingate University's graduate education program. At least 25 percent of the doctoral candidates have moved into new positions as a result of their continued education, according to Cynthia Compton, assistant professor of education at Wingate's Matthews Campus. "These people are now in a good position to do great things for kids."
Wingate University doctoral degree candidate Vic Shandor to join the Fulton County School System as an instructional area superintendent
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Wingate University doctoral candidate Robert Avossa named Fulton County Schools superintendent
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Grad Ed info session at Wingate University’s Matthews Campus
A Graduate Education information session will be held at Wingate University’s Matthews Campus on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. Area educators interested in learning how to prepare for leadership roles through Wingate's graduate programs are invited to attend. No R.S.V. P. is required.
Programs include the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, MAEd in Elementary Education, MAT in Elementary Education, MAEd in Educational Leadership (Principal K – 12), MA in Sport Administration, MAEd in Health and Physical Education. Licensure-only programs are also available for Principalship (K – 12) and AIG. Classes are taught at Wingate University’s Matthews Campus located in downtown Matthews, Suite 2D in the Depot building (second floor). For more information, contact Linda Morris at 704-321-1470.
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Wingate University expands Grad Ed program in Richmond County
Wingate University Graduate Education students began taking classes at Richmond Senior High School in Rockingham in January. Due to the success of the program and in response to North Carolina’s 21st Century Educational Standards for School Executives, the University is expanding the program designed to prepare educators in the south-central region of the state for senior-level leadership roles. “Projections indicate that a large percentage of principals and superintendents are eligible for retirement over the next five years, which will create a demand,” said Greg Clemmer, assistant vice-president Wingate University Matthews Campus.
Graduate programs being offered include masters degrees in educational leadership, sports administration, health and physical education; a doctorate in educational leadership; and principal licensure (K – 12). “I am pleased that Wingate University and more specifically the Graduate School of Education are moving forward to expand learning opportunities for education professionals located in the south-central region of North Carolina,” said Assistant Professor and On-Site Facilitator Rick Watkins. “I am excited about the future of this satellite program as well as the positive impact our graduates will have on local school districts and their ability to meet the demands of preparing K-12 students for the 21st Century.” Watkins is former assistant superintendent for human resources in the Richmond County school district and former associate superintendent for administrative services for the Scotland County school district.
The Wingate University Graduate Education program, with locations in Mooresville, Matthews and Rockingham, serves 325 students in the following counties: Anson, Union, Mecklenburg, Scotland, Richmond, Iredell, Montgomery, Cumberland, Lincoln, Cabarrus and Stanly.
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First class of doctoral students in education receive licensure
Twenty students enrolled in the charter class of the Doctor of Education Program in Educational Leadership who have completed all of their courses received their license. This is the next to final step in their doctoral program. They will receive their official diplomas once their dissertation work is completed. The licensure ceremony was held at the Matthews Chamber of Commerce.