Leadership in a Virtual School

By: Mallory Marquart

Virtual School

A virtual school is an educational organization that offers K–12

courses through Internet-based methods, with time and/or

distance separating the teacher and learner.

Virtual School Leader

• With the increase of virtual schools available to students there is a greater need for educational leadership in these schools.

Traits of a Virtual School Leader

• Flexible and Adaptable• Instructional Leadership Skills• Technology Savvy• Communicates and Collaborates• Ability to Build Relationships• Can Wear Many Hats

Flexible and Adaptable

• A leader of a virtual school must be able to adapt to the changing needs of virtual schools and does not shy away from change. Virtual schools are constantly changing which requires flexibility.

Instructional Leadership Skills

• Having a strong understanding of curriculum, standards, and instruction with the ability to incorporate these skills into an online setting is essential to a leader of a virtual school.

Technology Savvy

• The leader of a virtual school must have a good understanding technology in order to perform job responsibilities efficiently and effectively.

Communicates and Collaborates

• It is essential that a virtual school leader can effectively communicate through written communication because most communication is done electronically. They must also be able to initiate collaboration among all staff through online resources.

Ability to Build Relationships

• The virtual school leader must be able to build relationships with staff to empower them to build relationships with their students.

Can Wear Many Hats

• Many virtual school leaders have responsibilities that a typical brick-and-mortar principal does not. This requires the leader of the virtual school to wear many hats and the ability to take on new roles.

Virtual School Leader

• A person who has these qualities has the potential to be a highly successful leader of a virtual school.