Klingenstein Center Teachers College

• What is the mission of the Klingenstein Center?
• What are independent schools?
• How do Klingenstein programs differ from other graduate school programs in education?
• What professional advantages does the Klingenstein Center offer to independent school educators?
• Are Klingenstein programs only useful to educators who want to become administrators?
• What is the relationship between Teachers College, Columbia University and the Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership?

The mission of the Klingenstein Center is to improve the quality of independent school education by developing and strengthening leadership among teachers and administrators in independent schools.

Carefully crafted programs, drawing on the academic resources of Teachers College and the other graduate schools of Columbia University, are designed to provide the knowledge, skill, and understanding necessary for informed and effective practice. In an age in which independent school educators are called upon to understand both the business of management and the moral purpose of educating youth, the Klingenstein Center stands alone in its capacity to develop leaders.

Independent schools are distinct from other schools in that they are primarily supported by tuition, charitable contributions, and endowment income, rather than by tax or church funds. Often thought of as "private" or "non-public" schools, independent schools exhibit a wide diversity of attributes. They range in size from one-room schoolhouses to schools of thousands. They include boarding schools and day schools, single sex schools and co-educational schools, religiously oriented schools and non-sectarian programs. Some identify themselves as traditional in philosophy, while others are progressive or alternative. Some include kindergarten through twelfth grade, while some operate exclusively as elementary, middle, or secondary schools. Among this diversity six characteristics remain constant. Independent schools are united by their: self-governance, self-support, self-defined curriculum, self-selected students, self-selected faculty, and small size.

The Klingenstein programs have been designed to meet the challenges specific to independent schools. This fact distinguishes the Klingenstein Center from other graduate programs throughout the country, which tend to focus on public schools. While all educators share some common goals, the public and independent environments are also quite different, requiring different skills and knowledge in order to succeed. (Many of the requirements for public school educators, for example, are framed by state laws.)

In addition to following the core curriculum, students work in cohorts that create an atmosphere of camaraderie, collegiality, and inquiry among participants. Many graduates point to the cohort as one of the most significant attributes of the program. Both professional and personal bonds develop, creating networks of friendship and support that last throughout careers.

The Center's reputation for academic excellence, its insistence on accepting only highly motivated and qualified applicants, and its more than thirty year history have resulted in a well-deserved reputation as the premier program for independent school educators. Educators who have been through "the Klingenstein experience" are motivated, well-educated professionals who understand the unique world of independent schools, as well as the role these schools play within the larger context of education.

The Center also provides students with the opportunity to join a growing network of independent school educators. With more than 3,000 graduates since 1977, Klingenstein alumni enjoy strong professional bonds. Through cohort communications and annual reunions, graduates continue to tap the talent, ideas, and support of their colleagues. More detailed information about alumni can be obtained by visiting the alumni information section of the Center's website.

The Center's goal is to teach educators how to be effective leaders, regardless of whether they become master teachers or life-long administrators. Leadership is a very different proposition from administration or management, and especially in independent school communities, is not contingent upon titular authority. Many independent schools rely on the effective leadership of their faculty as well as their administration, and the Center strives to provide the knowledge necessary to answer this call.

The Klingenstein Center is one of many small, mission-driven organizations within Teachers College, Columbia University. The Center is part of the College's Department of Organization and Leadership, has the full support of both the College and the Department, and enjoys the full resources of Columbia University. With over 100 programs of study to choose from, Teachers College is the largest and most comprehensive graduate school of education in the United States. Approximately 5,000 students are currently enrolled at TC in programs leading to both Master's and doctoral degrees in fields ranging from clinical and organizational psychology to curriculum and teaching. Teachers College ranks consistently in the top graduate schools of education in the nation by US News and World Report. For more information about Teachers College, Columbia University, visit the Teachers College web site at www.tc.edu.