(Dover, DE.)   Ten school administrators, including nine principals and one person from the Division of Education in the Caribbean island of Tobago, are visiting Delaware to participate in a two-week training program to help build school leadership skills.  The administrators represent elementary, middle and high schools in Tobago.

The collaboration is a result of Delaware’s partnership with Trinidad and Tobago begun by Governor Minner in 2006.  Dr. Nancy Wilson, Deputy Secretary of Education, and Tobago’s Assistant Chief Education Coordinator Elinore King developed the education component with strong support from Wesley College and the University of Delaware.

The training program, housed at the University of Delaware, is called the “2008 Tobago Training Institute” and is operated by both the Department of Education and the Delaware Academy for School Leadership.  The visiting administrators, who will depart Delaware on Saturday, July 13th, will train in data analysis to lead school change; research best practices in schools; and learn about Delaware’s performance appraisal system.  This training was made possible through a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Delaware and the Tobago House of Ministry.

While in Delaware, the educators will visit schools in both the Christina and New Castle County Vocational Technical School Districts. 

  “This is a wonderful opportunity for both Delaware and Tobago to share thoughts, ideas and information on our education systems,” said Dr. Patricia Carlson, executive director for the Delaware’s Principals Academy.   “With this unique partnership, we can work together to provide continuous training and share best practices to help improve schools.” 

When the administrators return to Tobago, an on-line mentoring relationship with Delaware educators will continue.  The program for Tobago educators will continue through training via the Internet as well as possible on-site training in Tobago.