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The course

The "Leadership in Education" course was created in partnership with Yale University and the international network "Life Worth Living."

New Bulgarian University (NBU) is the only university from Southeast Europe approved to participate in this prestigious initiative.

This course is designed for students in primary education and encourages future teachers to discover and shape their unique leadership styles – both as individuals and as professionals in the field of education. Drawing wisdom from various beliefs and educational philosophies, students create a compass of values and principles that guide them in their personal and professional development.

Through a combination of self-reflection, learning, and collaborative work, participants in the course gain tools and insights that help them tackle the challenges of modern educational leadership. They not only explore theoretical principles but also apply them in real educational situations, preparing them for the complexities of today's classrooms.

What is the essence of "Life Worth Living"?

The essence of “Life Worth Living” is to help students and professionals in education reflect deeply and discover their answers to some of life’s most fundamental questions. This initiative teaches participants to “read” both their own lives and the lives of others – the people around them and thinkers throughout history. Through reflection and shared learning, they formulate their answers to questions such as:

  • What is worth wanting?
  • What is the good life? How does the good life feel?
  • How should I act?
  • What do I hope for?
  • What do I do when I fail?

These questions are guiding beacons in the process of self-discovery and uncovering a deeper meaning in life.

Thematic plan

Introduction to Educational Leadership

Leadership models and values

Vision for Educational Leadership

Leadership traditions

Educational philosophies and leadership: part 1

Educational philosophies and leadership: part 2

Leadership in the classroom: part 1

Leadership in the classroom: part 2

Leadership in the classroom: part 3

Final evaluation

Competencies

Knowledge

  • They understand the significance of leadership in the educational context.
  • They are familiar with different worldviews, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Chinese philosophy, and their implications for leadership.
  • They understand various educational philosophies, such as public normative education, democratic education, Waldorf, Montessori, progressive education, and others.

Skills

  • They can deeply reflect on their leadership values, principles, and ambitions.
  • They can integrate wisdom from various belief systems and educational philosophies into their leadership style.
  • Can work effectively in groups to create a shared vision of leadership.
  • Apply leadership principles in practical classroom scenarios.
  • Communicate their leadership vision and ideas effectively through presentations and written reflections.

Attitudes

  • They develop a growth mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and development.
  • They cultivate empathy and respect for different worldviews and educational philosophies.
  • Maintain a commitment to lifelong learning and the development of leadership skills.

What do the students say?

I admit, at first, I was quite sceptical about the "Leadership in Education" course. I thought it would overlap with material from the previous semester and wouldn’t offer anything new. However, from the very first sessions, I realised I was wrong – this course was completely different! I’m glad I had the opportunity to participate because I learnt so many things that will be useful to me as a primary school teacher. The most interesting part for me was the simulated educational environment, where each of us had a role – teacher, student, or even parent. It made me see the classroom from different perspectives. Not only did I better understand the students' needs, but I also received concrete ideas on how to tackle classroom challenges. This course was truly a challenge, but also an inspiration!

BozhidaraA student from the 2024 cohort

The "Leadership in Education" course helps us, the students, to express ourselves by placing us in different roles and situations. Personally, it helped me expand my capabilities, relax more in front of an audience, and express myself more freely. The course teaches us to think critically, analyse problems, find solutions, and share helpful advice and different opinions. I appreciate the friendly atmosphere – we’re not worried, we feel comfortable, and every session is filled with diverse and interesting tasks. I believe the course is very relevant to our field of study because it often gives us the chance to express what kind of leaders we want to be, what we strive for, and how we envision ourselves as future teachers. We played out different scenarios, stepped outside our comfort zones, and fully embraced our roles. This was an incredibly useful and inspiring experience!

SarahA student from the 2024 cohort
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