"Millennium Challenge Account - Georgia" Teacher and School Director Professional Development Project implemented by the National Center for Teacher Professional Development has started the second phase of school director trainings. Directors were able to take the first phase of the training within the Leadership Academy in 2016 August-October.

The second Leadership Academy consists of a total of 6 modules. The two of the modules will be offered to public school directors and the school-based facilitators in December 2016, also in January and April 2017.

The first training module of the second Leadership Academy "Shared Leadership and Adult Education" introduces the features of modern leadership and their adjustment to school director’s management style, the cooperation and relationship principles. The Academy participants will prepare their own management style reflection during the module and identify their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and risks. In addition, the module is designed for introduction of various research methods of teacher training needs and the application of the basic principles of adult education depending on the findings. In order to successfully achieve the aim, the module includes different activities, such as group work, situational tasks, simulation games, etc.

During the second module "Teaching Mentorship", the participants will learn about the application of teacher mentorship strategies into practice, and the use of teacher professional portfolio development process for collegiate mentorship and peer-teaching.

After the completion of the two modules, school directors and facilitators will be aware of the modern principles of management and cooperation.

Since August of the current year, 1700 public school directors have been trained within the first Leadership Academy.

During the first stage, school directors were trained in three modules:

· 21st Century School characteristics;

· Effective Director: From theory to practice;

· Financial management, human resources management, time management, and legal issues;

The Leadership Academy consists of three phases and within three years provides ongoing professional development for public school directors. Each phase of the Academy consists of several modules and includes trainings and quarterly meetings, where participants will have the opportunity to share knowledge and skills acquired at the trainings. Throughout the project, from August 2016 to 2018, all public school directors will be trained.

The training course provided under the Teacher and School Director Professional Development Project has been developed jointly by Project Management Team set up on the basis of teachers' professional development and the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) advisory group of experts. The Leadership Academy aims to equip 21st century school leaders with necessary skills and help them provide effective school management and student-centered learning environment.

The Leadership Academy is provided by qualified trainers who have been retrained under the Teacher and School Director Professional Development project and Trainer School.

The project is implemented with the financial support of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.