Head Of Highlands School Receives Harvard Certification

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL — Head of School Kavita Vasil of Highlands School was recently awarded a certification from Harvard's Graduate School of Education. Her Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership is comprised of five 12-week online modules, each of which is led by a HGSE faculty member.

"I was honored to be accepted into Harvard’s CAEL program" Vasil said. "Schools are a living, breathing organism which means they are constantly changing and evolving – and my role requires leading that change at a systems and relational level."

The CAEL program not only focused on the latest research-based educational trends and best practices but allowed Vasil the opportunity to further develop her skills as a leader. "What I appreciated most about this specific leadership program was that over half of the classes were comprised of fellow educational leaders from around the world," she said. "To be able to discuss at length educational challenges we all face from a global perspective was a transformative experience."

"The CAEL is designed to help current and aspiring preK-12 system-level leaders develop a robust understanding of the complexities within educational systems, while honing the leadership skills needed to create transformational change," Dr. Katie Heikkinen, Program Director at HGSE. "CAEL, based upon the groundbreaking Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) Program at HGSE, provides education leaders with the skills and approaches to improve their own leadership and ensure that all children have the opportunity and support necessary to fulfill their potential as students and citizens."