Deepen your knowledge…
Improve your leadership skills…
Strive for mastery.
The Leadership Matters Specialty Endorsement Program is a very special learning opportunity for principals who aspire to be exceptional leaders. The program offers something that no other program does: it connects theory and practice in a powerful and effective way. The program allows you to dig deeply into the content and learn how to apply enhanced leadership skills everyday in your schools.
The program was carefully designed to help participants become thoughtful, responsive leaders. Integrated within the Leadership Matters program are themes of intentionality, reflection, courage and integrity, coaching and collaborative culture. Participants use technology to extend learning and impact and engage in reflective writing. In addition to facilitating monthly learning sessions, Debbie McFalone, Ph.D. and Derek Wheaton act as leadership coaches for participants and extend this coaching into professional practice through scheduled personal phone sessions. Lastly but no less important, participants develop strong and lasting professional bonds with cohort members, who help them reflect and process.
Questions about the Program
If you have specific questions about the program, feel free to contact Debbie McFalone, Ph.D. at debbiemcfalone@gmail.com or Derek Wheaton at derekwheaton@gmail.com.
If you have general questions about the program, feel free to contact MEMSPA staff at taryn@memspa.org.
Debbie McFalone, PhD is a co-author of the MEMSPA Leadership Matters program, and has co-facilitated the program since it began in 2009. She is the author of Uncommon Leadership: Live Well, Lead Strong for Courage and Integrity (2018), and is a sought-after leadership consultant, keynote speaker, and leadership coach. She draws on her experience as a principal and Area Superintendent to inform her work of empowering and equipping today’s leaders. Debbie has led learning sessions for leaders in over 60 districts, ISDs, and leadership organizations in Michigan and Wisconsin, and presented at the national principals conference in 2019.
Derek Wheaton has been an educator for 40 years. His experience includes 14 years as a former teacher in both inner city and urban elementary schools, and 18 years as a practicing principal of a large K-2 center in southwest Michigan. Derek graduated from Michigan State University with a BS degree in Early Childhood and Teaching and received his Masters in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. He was named MEMSPA’s 2011 Outstanding Practicing Principal and honored by the NAESP as a National Distinguished Principal Class of 2012. He leads Derek Wheaton Consulting, LLC and provides professional learning for schools and district leaders. His passion includes coaching and mentoring practicing principals and co-facilitating MEMSPA’s yearlong principal specialty endorsement program, Leadership Matters as his part-time legacy work. Derek’s mission is to develop the aspirations of leading learners! You can reach Derek at email: derekwheaton@gmail.com or web: www.derekwheaton.com