Dr. George Roesser, a professor of practice in the Educational Leadership Program has made significant contributions in filling the pool of qualified urban principals in the Philadelphia School District. Providing Philadelphia schools – and possibly other urban districts –with badly needed administrators who are trained to work in urban schools is the goal of the Philadelphia Urban Leadership Development Program (PULDP).

Large, urban, resource-poor school districts have faced difficult challenges in attracting, developing and retaining individuals to assume leadership positions. While growing teacher shortages have been recognized as a priority at the federal level, discussions are just beginning about the lack of qualified school leaders to fill the position of principal. The critical components of the 16-month long training program are residencies and mentoring, according to Dr. George Roesser: “Practice is stressed from the beginning of the program.”

The College of Education is not alone in this endeavor but is partnered with the School District of Philadelphia and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). NAESP has been recognized nationally for their acclaimed mentoring program. All three organizations work to develop and sustain the program by collaboratively seeking out teachers who have a demonstrated record of leadership.

“These people are the people leading the change in the school buildings” said Roesser. “They run many of the major program initiatives in their schools. These are education experts in professional development, curriculum, child development…who have worked with other teachers. We realize these people are the ones creating real positive changes."