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Supervisors of Principals' Academy - SOPA

Arizona Supervisors of Principals' Academy SOPA

The Supervisors of Principals’ Academy (SOPA) is a professional development program provided by the Arizona Department of Education and WestEd. Arizona students and teachers deserve great principals who provide essential support for achievement and excellence. Great principals advance their leadership with coaching and feedback from their supervisors. This training series focuses on equipping principal supervisors with the tools and techniques necessary to support increased leadership effectiveness in their principals.

Now in its sixth year, the Arizona Supervisors of Principals' Academy (SOPA) is a learning network for current principal supervisors who are central office administrators who coach and evaluate principals. Individual supervisors or complete central office teams can join the seven-month SOPA program for $500 per participant. SOPA's standards-driven content is informed by best practices, great research, and experienced Arizona colleagues to advance your principal supervisory practices.

"I was skeptical [of SOPA] at the start because if professional learning isn’t individualized, you’re like, 'How is this going to be good for me and my needs?' But it started really positive, and you were great at taking the content and adapting it to what the learner or groups - especially cohort groups - needed."  ~ SOPA Alumni 

Designed For

As a learning community, SOPA members are committed to their learning and supporting network members. SOPA members may be charter or public-school principal supervisors who are also:

  • Superintendent or assistant superintendents
  • Directors of schools
  • Human resource directors
  • Leadership coaches
  • Other central office administrators

We ask that all SOPA members commit to their own learning and support others' learning. SOPA participation can result in continuing education credits.

What to Expect

SOPA network participants are driven to improve coaching, evaluation, and conditions for exemplary school leadership. If you are a current principal supervisor seeking to improve your practice, then SOPA is for you! Through SOPA, we will:

  • Build supervisory skills in coaching, performance evaluation, and principal support.
  • Improve supervisory systems and practices.
  • Exchange ideas and advice among Arizona principal supervisors and experienced coaches.

SOPA Provides

  • Two hours of leadership coaching from experienced administrators each month.
  • In-person learning sessions provided by leading practitioners and researchers on leadership coaching, principal evaluation design, and systems of principal support.
  • Principal observation and survey tools to ensure supervision is data-driven.
  • NOTE - The SOPA professional learning program aligns with the Arizona Department of Education's Principals' Leadership Academy.

Cost

$500 - All sessions, mentorship, materials, snacks, and lunch

When

SOPA is a seven-month professional learning program with opportunities for extended learning.

SOPA KICKOFF

  • August 20, 2026

Regional Session Dates

  • Session 1: September 17, 2026
  • Session 2: October 8, 2026
  • Session 3: November 19, 2026
  • Session 4: January 14, 2027
  • Session 5: February 11, 2027
  • Session 6: March 4, 2027

Enrollment

Admission is rolling, and applicants will be notified of acceptance within 5 days of the receipt of the application. 

Applications are due by July 25, 2026

Click below to apply

SOPA Application

Questions: [email protected] | [email protected] | ETL Tel. 602-542-0334

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