Since 1993, more than 350 administrators have attended the Millsaps Summer Principals' Institute. "Professionals come to the Institute because they want to be better principals," said Dr. Beth Canizaro, who has been Director of the Institute since its inception. "They want to learn more and strengthen their skills. They want to be an active part of school reform, improving their schools for our students. The fact that so many principals commit the time and the energy that the Institute requires each year speaks very well of principals in Mississippi."

Among other programs and activities, participants attend lectures by a number of high-profile educational speakers. Roland Barth, founder of the Harvard Principals' Center and author of Improving Schools from Within and Learning by Heart, attends the Institute every year.

"Principals help design the program," said Barth. "They decide what principals need to know and how to get them to know it. That involvement definitely makes an impact."

Also speaking at this year's Institute is Jo Blase, a former teacher and principal who now serves as a professor of educational leadership at the University of Georgia. Blase is the co-author of Handbook of Instructional Leadership and Empowering Teachers.

"Participants at the Institute have the opportunity to interact with educational leaders and professionals who have written books and done extensive research," said Dr. Limmie Flowers, who was one of the Institute's first participants. "That brings a level of professionalism to the Institute that is unique." Flowers has served as Assistant Superintendent in the Clinton school district for the past 6 years.

But principals don't simply listen to lectures and take notes. Rather, the Institute aims to truly engage principals in conversations about larger issues such as leadership, team building, communication skills and problem solving. Principals break into small groups to collaborate with each other and discuss some of the problems facing educators today. Before leaving, each principal creates a vision for his or her school and uses it as a jumping-off point for making significant changes, both immediate and long-term.

Bobby Hathorn, an Institute facilitator and principal of the Alternative School in Clinton, confirms the importance of using the Principals Institute to collaborate and to discuss current issues. "The principals discuss issues relative to their own situation and seek to know how other administrators handle the same issue in their school," says Hathorn. "Basic issues are personnel and curriculum, but I feel the hot topic this year will be testing and accountability." New federal and state legislation mandates that schools be accredited individually rather than by district, placing pressure on each administrator to ensure good student performance on state tests.

The Millsaps Principals' Institute was originally made possible by charter grants from the BellSouth Foundation and Mississippi Power Company and has continued with support from the Phil Hardin Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Training Resource Associates. In addition, the CREATE Foundation in Tupelo provides funding to participants from northeast Mississippi each year.

"The Hardin Foundation wants to build a critical mass of educators and community members who have the will and understanding necessary to create schools that leave no child behind," said Tom Wacaster of the Phil Hardin Foundation. "The principal is key to creating such schools, and institutions like Millsaps can attract a wonderful group of prospective and veteran principals who can create these kinds of schools."

"We as principals have a yearning to be the best we can," said Flowers. "At the Institute, you learn about leadership and your craft, as well as reflect with others who understand what being a principal is like. That institute is probably one of the highlights of my professional career."

For more information on the Millsaps Principals' Summer Institute, contact Beth Canizaro at (601) 974-1353.