State Approved Partnership Program
ELITE is a 22-month state approved Master’s Degree Program in Educational Leadership. In addition to completing a masters you will also earn the Florida Professional Educators' Certificate upon successfully passing the Florida Educational Leadership Exam (FELE).
All-in-one
ELITE is an accelerated program that combines district-specific professional development for school leaders with the completion of a master’s degree. Upon successfully completing ELITE and obtaining your state certification, you will be eligible to apply for an Assistant Principal position within your district.
Create A Professional Network Along The Way
ELITE courses are led by experienced educational leaders from St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, and The School District of Osceola County all of whom hold doctoral degrees in educational leadership. In addition, each ELITE student is mentored by their school principal, providing ongoing support throughout coursework and internship activities. This unique structure fosters valuable professional relationships with leaders across the district.
We Understand Your Schedule
We understand the demands of your full-time role, which is why ELITE classes are designed to fit your schedule while maintaining a collaborative learning experience. All classes are held online with synchronous instruction, allowing you to engage with instructors and peers in real time. Sessions take place on Wednesdays from 4:45-7:15 PM and Saturdays from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, giving you the flexibility to advance your professional growth without disrupting your daily responsibilities.
Elite Program Overview
Mission
The Florida Atlantic University-School District Partnership includes multiple school districts in Florida, each individually partnered with FAU’s School Leaders Program, who together develop, implement, and improve the professional learning of school leaders in their districts to provide the best public education for students, families, and the community.
Vision
The Florida Atlantic University-School District Partnership will be the premier provider of school leadership professional learning programs in Florida and the nation, developing the strongest school leaders and leadership teams to lead and transform schools into model learning organizations.
FAU Core Values and Beliefs
School Leader Profile – Core Values and Beliefs
We believe that the following descriptions, values, and beliefs will enable school leaders and those they influence to be fulfilled in their own personal ambitions, to be productive contributors to the economy, and to be democratic citizens for a vibrant national community. Our commitment to the public good is what makes school leadership different conceptually and in practice from other organizations and governmental agencies.
We believe that our purpose is to prepare leaders to create a healthy, sustainable, and regenerative society for present and future generations.
Leader of Leaders and Learning
School leaders who are committed to a vision of leadership that is instructional, collaborative, distributive, data-informed, research-based, ethical, developmental, innovative, and courageous. They understand that leadership is most effective when it is shared and focused on developing leadership capacity within schools and school systems. They are lead learners whose leadership requires the ability to use pedagogy and andragogy in facilitating the learning of everyone in the school and its community.
Reflective Practitioners
School leaders who are reflective practitioners with a world view to create dynamic learning environments. They are strategic thinkers who develop organizational and operational systems to promote ongoing reflective and critical inquiry to inform action. They welcome critical feedback to develop the personal insight necessary to increase their leadership attributes and skills.
Transformative Decision-Makers
School leaders who recognize that their leadership is a transformative and political process to bring about positive change in the pursuit of a better society and world. They understand and demonstrate the capability to evaluate the moral and legal consequences of decisions and make their choices based on the goal of maximizing student learning and fostering a democratic community. They are strategic and systems thinkers with a growth mindset.
Relationship Builders
School leaders who are adept at building positive relationships that support the wellbeing of all members of the school community. They are culturally aware leaders who treat each individual with civility, empathy, respect, and forthrightness while holding high expectations for everyone who contributes to the learning organization. They build external relationships with families, community members, and community organizations to strengthen the school programs they lead.
Visionaries with High Expectations
School leaders who communicate and create a shared vision that inspires high expectations for their own performance, as well as for the performance of all others in the school. They embrace accountability and give feedback as tools for continuous improvement while remaining focused on student learning as a priority. They are passionate leaders who persevere and challenge the status quo.
About ELITE
Dr. Taka S. Mays FAU ELITE Director |
Mr. Michael Maine Superintendent Martin County School District |
Ms. Denise Rodriguez Executive Director of Teaching, Learning & Leading St. Lucie Public Schools |
Dr. Joseph Stanley, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services Okeechobee County Schools |
Ms. Virginia Ramie Director of Student Success & Instructional Improvement Professional Development Department The School District of Osceola County |
St. Lucie Public Schools partnered with the Martin County School District and Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology (ELRM) to create the ELITE (Educational Leadership: Intern to Excellence) Partnership Program. The partnership grew even stronger with the valuable additions of the Okeechobee County School District and The School District of Osceola County, further expanding opportunities for aspiring educational leaders.
The rigorous accelerated master’s degree program focuses on bridging theory and practice through on-site principal mentoring and internships. To meet the changing needs of the educational leadership landscape, the curriculum for ELITE was written and is taught by current district and school leaders to develop teacher leaders, and the leaders of tomorrow. ELITE Program Candidates are nominated by Principals within the four school districts to be accepted into the program.
This continued collaboration between FAU’s Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, St. Lucie Public Schools, Martin County Schools, Okeechobee County Schools, and The School District of Osceola County will be beneficial in our joint effort to improve educational opportunities for PK-12 students in Florida.
The ELITE Partnership Program is the pathway to your Educational Leadership future!
Contact ELITE
Please complete the form below to contact the ELITE team for questions or to request additional information.