Educators Become Students Again in Baylor’s Leadership Program
For the past two weeks, over 70 educators stepped into the role of students as members of Cohorts 4 and 5 of Baylor University’s Masters in School Leadership (MASL) program. The hybrid program is uniquely designed with two in-person summer immersions along with online coursework through the fall and spring semesters. Within 12-months the program’s coursework is complete with job-embedded learning experiences and opportunities to network with educational leaders across the country and world.
The time on Baylor’s campus was filled with hours of class equipping these educators to lead the changes needed to improve student flourishing in their educational setting. As Dr. Jon Eckert laid out an understanding of feedback, engagement, and well-being as the center of student flourishing, leaders focused on institutional changes on issues such as ChatGPT and cell phone use. Connecting coursework to real-world, school-based challenges, the MASL program bridges theory and practice to support leaders in gathering stakeholders on their own campuses to improve student outcomes.
Students in the MASL program strengthen their understanding of effective leadership with high quality courses while building networks of expertise. Heather Reed shared that this program leads to a “hunger to learn, hunger to grow, and to seek more in how to live.” This captures the experience provided by the hybrid MASL program that goes beyond online coursework to connect educational leaders and transform the way leadership is lived out.
Baylor University’s MASL experience brings learning and collaboration beyond the classroom to build bonds across schools. Whether exploring Waco, sharing meals, gathering with faculty at their homes, participating in escape rooms, playing pickleball, or participating in any other number of adventures that may come up, MASL students form a community of learners that continues after the coursework ends. From cannonballs to attending church together, the program shows that leadership and learning is stronger when done in community.
Interested in learning more about the MASL program? Check out the link below!