Supervisors of Principals' Academy

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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.

 

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 fifth 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 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.

 

Who can attend?

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 can I expect from this training?

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, regional 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.

The SOPA professional learning program aligns nicely with the Arizona Department of Education's Principals' Leadership Academy, and we plan to convene supervisors and principals to learn together.

 

How much does it cost?

$500

When does SOPA start and end?

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

SOPA KICKOFF

  • August 21, 2025 

Regional Session Dates

  1. Week of September 8, 2025
  2. Week of October 13, 2025
  3. Week of November 10, 2025
  4. Week of January 12, 2026
  5. Week of February 9, 2026

Enrollment

Applications are due by July 16, 2025. Admission is rolling, and applicants will be notified of acceptance within 5 days of the receipt of the application.

Click the button below to apply:

SOPA Application

Questions? For additional information, please contact our team at [email protected] or email [email protected].