‘With Energy And Courage In Taking Care Of Ourselves’ was a slogan of this year’s Summer School of LES principals, attended by 120 principals of schools participating in the “Learning Schools” program. The meeting was organized by the Center for Citizenship Education Foundation.
Time for building relations and sharing experiences
The event that took place at Łochów has become an annual tradition and a great opportunity to integrate directors of schools all over Poland.
Polish-American Freedom Foundation Program Director Marianna Hajdukiewicz thanked directors for their engagement and pointed to the significance of grassroot initiatives they implement in their schools.
As “LES” program head Sylwia Żmijewska-Kwiręg noted: ‘Those two days are the time to celebrate but first of all to build strong relations and share experiences gained during various program activities such as School Comprehensive Development, Post-graduate Course for Education Leaders, LES Club and Lab.’
Principals’s autonomy and the role of a local education authority
An important item on the agenda was the meeting with head of Małopolskie Province Local Education Authority Gabriela Olszowska and head of Wielkopolskie Province Local Education Authority Igor Bykowski. Their debate, moderated by the Center for Citizenship Education Foundation expert for director’s development Przemysław Kluge, focused on school director autonomy in the context of pedagogical supervision. They pointed to the important role of director and supportive function of a local education authority in the area of efficient school management.
Wellbeing and positive energy at school
Dr. Paul Jenkins, a clinical psychologist and an expert in building leader’s potential, spoke about caring for good energy and motivation to work. The workshops held after his lecture focused on developing solutions allowing to counteract burn out of directors’ and teachers.
The 30th anniversary of the Center for Citizenship Education Foundation
Summer School of LES Directors also made a good opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Center for Citizenship Education. ‘I would like to thank every and each person who contributed in any way to implementation of CCE’s initiatives. (…) The CCE’s strong position in 2024 results from engagement, creativity, wisdom, courage, determination, hard work, and diligence of many people, and (…) our Friends, Partners, and Donors,’ Sylwia Żmijewska-Kwiręg noted.
Support and inspiration
The participants appreciated the conference. ‘We’ve got a lot of psychological support and motivation for further work,’ principal of Pre-School and School Complex at Stolec Aneta Łęska claimed.
