PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional Development is a vital to the long-term success of any employee. Continuing to gain knowledge within your profession, listening to leaders in your craft and networking with colleagues is a great way to share and gain 'best practices'. 
For athletic directors, professional development must be viewed from two lenses:
  1. Professional Development for the athletic director. To stay current with the professional while building a strong network of collegial individuals, athletic directors are encouraged to seek out varied professional development opportunities. The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (the NIAAA) offers a comprehensive professional development platform through their Leadership Training Institute (http://www.niaaa.org/niaaa-programs/leadership-training-institute/). The NIAAA offers over 40 courses and an accredited certification program for athletic directors.  These courses are offered at the state and national level.  If you have interest in this program, you can contact Jeff Lowell ([email protected]) to get some additional information. WSSAAA through the state conference also provides ‘local’ professional development opportunities that every athletic director should access.
  2. Professional Development for coaches. Through any number of organizations like the WIAA, and the NIAAA, athletic directors should work with coaches to develop a plan to help them continue their growth as professionals as well.
Resources for Athletic Directors ​Coaching Professional Development: