CHERRY VALLEY — Cross County School District is proud to announce that Stephen Prince, the distinguished master teacher at Cross County High School, has been selected as one of the inaugural members of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) Fellows Program. This prestigious program recognizes 12 exceptional educators from across the United States who have demonstrated outstanding instructional leadership and a commitment to advancing student success.
“I’m thrilled to congratulate Mr. Prince on being named a fellow in this inaugural cohort,” said Cross County Superintendent Dr. Nathan Morris. “This selection is a testament to Mr. Prince's dedication to excellence in education and his impact on our students and community. We are excited to see the growth and insights he will bring back to our school.”
The NIET Fellows Program is a one-year training program for teacher leaders in districts currently partnering with NIET. Designed to provide teacher leaders with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement, the program aims to more effectively support the work taking place within and beyond their school and district. The first cohort of fellows will begin the program in July 2024.
Through the Fellows Program, candidates will build their skills to advance educator effectiveness by:
Building a strong foundational understanding of leadership best practices
Understanding how leadership structures provide opportunities to grow and support their own learning and the learning of their colleagues
Increasing foundational perspective and understanding of the role successful distributed leadership plays
Learning how instructional practices lead to positive change in districts and schools
Deepening their instructional skills and their abilities to coach others
As part of the fellowship, Prince will receive a $10,000 stipend, participate in professional development activities designed to enhance leadership capabilities, and develop content for NIET’s national conferences throughout the year. He will also shadow NIET’s team locally to advance their coaching skills to more effectively support educators in their own schools and districts.
Prince, who served eight years as the high school principal, brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to educational excellence to this fellowship. His selection is a reflection of his exemplary work and leadership in our school district.
“I am honored to be selected as a fellow in the NIET Fellows Program,” said Prince. “This opportunity will allow me to further develop my leadership skills and bring new insights and strategies back to our school and district to enhance the learning experience for our students.”
For more information about the NIET Fellows Program, please visit niet.org.