Gibbs, Fulton County Principal, chosen for participation in Leadership Institute

June 04, 2019
Gibbs Gibbs

A Fulton County principal is set to begin a year-long executive level leadership training course usually reserved for the nation’s top CEOs. Sondra Gibbs, of Fulton County Elementary and Middle School, was selected in March to participate in the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Institute for School Principals by an advisory board made up of business leaders and school superintendents.

Gibbs, one of 50 selected principals, will begin attending classes this summer at The BB&T Leadership Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina, in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. The BB&T Leadership Institute has customized a program to meet the specific leadership development needs of school administrators. Principals will also attend follow-up sessions in the fall and early next year in Kentucky.

“I am very excited to be selected to participate in this program,” said Gibbs. “This is a wonderful opportunity to grow as a leader while networking with administrators from across the state. I can’t wait to see how this experience will benefit our school.”

Elementary, middle and high school principals from across Kentucky representing both public and private schools applied for the institute, which is supported by generous donations from businesses across the state. So far, more than $3 million has been spent on over 380 principals from 95 Kentucky counties since the program began in 2011.

“The business community takes great pride in supporting the Leadership Institute for School Principals,” said Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson. “Employers value the importance of effective leadership in the private sector, and the same is true for schools. That’s why we think it is important principals experience executive-level training similar to what is provided for corporate leaders.”