Instructional Leadership is dedicated to the development of effective and ethical instructional leaders. Graduates of this program will be prepared to serve as competent, committed and reflective professional educators and have a positive impact on student achievement and the overall instructional process. A residency is required. Possible career tracks include: Assistant principal, Educational coach, Assistant professor preschool director, Local and state department, and central office personnel. We offer a master’s and educational specialist degree program.
The Special Education programs in the College of Education at Auburn University at prepare teachers to provide specially designed instruction for students with exceptionalities and to work across diverse educational settings. Courses focus on topics such as: Assistive Technology, Autism, Behavior Management, Assessment, Applied Behavior Analysis, STEM, and High Incidence Disabilities.
The school of counseling and clinical mental health tracks of AUM’s Counselor Education program helps students develop skills and theories that are applicable for career settings in areas such as: schools, clinical mental health agency and private practice. We offer a master’s (M.Ed.) and educational specialist (Ed.S.) degrees in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling. These programs are CACREP accredited.
Dr. Jana’ Sparks is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Leadership and in the Department of Counselor, Leadership, and Special Education in the College of Education at Auburn University at Montgomery. Dr. Sparks joined the faculty after seventeen years in the public school system. In the public school setting, she has served as a Principal, Assistant Principal, New Teacher Mentoring program coordinator and has taught a variety of grade levels in the K-12 setting. Scholarly endeavors include peer reviewed presentation at international, national and state conferences on topics such as new teacher mentoring programs, quality staff development, and innovative leadership practices. Dr. Sparks teaches a variety of graduate and Educational Specialists level courses that provide opportunities for future leaders and instructional leaders to enhance their personal and professional career. Her commitment to education is noted by the following awards and recognitions: 2020 Valdosta State University Alumni, Graduate of the Last Decade award, and the 2021 AUM College of Education Department Service Award. Dr. Sparks is currently serving as the Program Chair for the Instructional Leadership program.
Ed.D. (2016) Valdosta State University
Ed.S. (2005) Troy University
M.Ed (2003) Troy University
B.S. (2000) Delaware State University
