Sitting in the Big Chair: A Recipe to Land Your First Principal Job
MSAA Professional Development Workshop for Administrators, |
Sitting in the Big Chair: A Recipe to Land Your First Principal Job |
Do you aspire to be a Principal? If so, this workshop is for you! This presentation will include specific strategies, tips, and tricks to separate yourself from the competition and GET that first job. |
Workshop Goals/Objectives: · Choosing the Right Job Process: Process for picking the right fit for you · Landing that Interview: Self-promotion, public relations & the resume · Crushing the Interview: Preparation and the entry plan · Negotiations: You did it, now what? |
When: Friday, October 24, 2025, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am |
Delivery Method: In-Person Workshop |
Location: The MSAA Office, 33 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA |
Presenter: William Burkhead, Scituate Public Schools |
PD Hours: 3 in Content Area Leadership and Administration |
Fees: Member $150 / Non-Member $205 |
MSAA Contact: Victoria Ellison, vellison@msaa.net |
William Burkhead | Scituate Public Schools William Burkhead started as Superintendent of the Scituate Public School District on July 1, 2020. A dedicated leader, Burkhead brings 25 years of proven effectiveness in all aspects of leadership and educational administration. Prior to arriving in Scituate, Burkhead spent seven years as the Principal of Monomoy Regional High School serving the towns of Chatham and Harwich, Principal of Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, Director of Athletics, also Assistant Principal at Plymouth North High School in Plymouth. He started his career as a wellness educator and head football coach. After graduating from Springfield College with a Master’s in Education, Mr. Burkhead received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) from Bridgewater State University in 2009. Today, Mr. Burkhead remains committed to Bridgewater, teaching graduate level courses in the department of secondary education and professional programs to aspiring administrators. Under Mr. Burkhead’s leadership, and in less than four years, Monomoy Regional High School established a community internship program, a challenging Global Studies degree program, a visionary flex block schedule, and an academic center for struggling learners. The impact on learning has been significant, as evidenced by graduation rates increasing by 11.5 %; the number of students enrolled in AP classes has doubled; and finally, as a member of the Cape’s “all school choice” program, Monomoy’s school choice numbers increased significantly as a destination high school. The Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association (MSAA) selected Mr. Burkhead as the Massachusetts “High School Principal of the Year'' in 2018. Later in that same year Mr. Burkhead received the prestigious Bridgewater State University “Nicholas P. Tilinghast Award.” Mr. Burkhead also received the “Cape & Islands Workforce Development Community Award'' and the “South Shore Community Action Council Award.” Mr. Burkhead was the football team MVP, Division 2 Gold Helmet Recipient, and held the all-time career rushing record for almost a decade. As a high school football coach he was the 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 “High School Coach of the Year” for the Brockton Enterprise, Old Colony Memorial, and WATD radio. |
