Are you aspiring to be a school principal or educational leader?
The Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis: Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation program at UW–Madison is a fully online and skills-based master’s degree designed for working professionals. Offered through the nation’s No.1-ranked School of Education, the program is led by world-class UW–Madison faculty who help prepare educators for principal licensure with equity-minded courses, all backed by expert research.
Participants also collaborate with students in their program cohort and build vital professional relationships.
Following is a Q&A with Arabel Marcano Colon, who graduated from the Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation master’s program in 2023. Originally from Puerto Rico, Colon relocated to Wisconsin six years ago and today is an eighth-grade bilingual resource teacher and dual language immersion coordinator in Madison.
What drew you to pursue a master’s degree from the Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation (WIPP) program at UW–Madison?
Marcano Colon: After completing my doctoral degree, I developed an interest in pursuing a supervisor or principal position. However, I realized that my doctoral degree did not fulfill the requirements for a principal license due to insufficient credits and classes. It was then that I spoke with my friend, Sara Jimenez Soffa, who works at UW. She introduced me to a program and connected me with (WIPP program director) Tina Salzman.
How did you get interested in wanting to become a principal?
Marcano Colon: After teaching for over two decades, I have had numerous leadership opportunities, including leading curriculum development and being a member of the school-based leadership team. These experiences have sparked my interest in pursuing a leadership role as a principal. Given the increasing number of multilingual learners in our schools, I am particularly motivated to leverage my multilingual background to support and facilitate their education as a principal.
How did this program fit into your life as a working professional?
Marcano Colon: I am a passionate learner, constantly seeking out new knowledge and skills while I work. This program has been incredibly accommodating to my work schedule. Because I am highly organized, I allocate my time during the week to focus on work-related tasks, reserving my weekends for the program classes. Furthermore, the program offers the flexibility to fulfill practicum hours through portfolio work and shadowing, allowing me to seamlessly integrate it into my work schedule.
What aspects of the WIPP program did you like the most?
Marcano Colon: I enjoyed the class meetings, as they helped us build a sense of community among peers and provided a great opportunity to clarify any questions with the instructor. I particularly appreciated the instructors’ willingness to answer questions outside of class hours. The support from Tina, as well as the entire faculty and staff, was also something that I found truly valuable.
What was your most meaningful experience with the WIPP program?
Marcano Colon: I believe that the most meaningful experience I had was working on my portfolio. It provided me with the opportunity to reflect on my growth from the beginning to the end. In the field of education, learning is a constant process. However, being able to witness my progress and assume the role of an administrator allowed me to gain insights into the operations behind the scenes at school.
What class or faculty member with the WIPP program had the greatest impact on you, and why?
Marcano Colon: The faculty member who had a significant impact on me was Tina Salzman. Her classes made me think deeply and understand the role of a principal. They challenged me to always take the teacher hat out of my mind and put on the administrator hat. Also, the class that had a great impact was Professor Suzanne Eckes’ law class. It made me realize that this line of work has a lot of challenges. As an administrator, you have to be aware of the policies and laws that protect the students, teachers, and the school.
When did you graduate from the program and what are you doing now?
Marcano Colon: I finished the WIPP program in the summer of 2023 … and at that time I moved from Madison West High School to Gillespie Middle School in Madison to be a BRT (bilingual resource teacher) and DLI (dual language immersion) coordinator. In this position, I lead the DLI program at the school and coach the teachers. Additionally, I have the opportunity to be part of the SBLT (school-based leadership team), PBS (positive behavior systems team), and ICS Equity teams (that work toward more equitable systems around the school).
What do you enjoy most about this work?
Marcano Colon: In my experience, I’ve discovered that I have a genuine fondness for working with middle school students and providing support to teachers. Drawing from the coaching principles I learned in the program, I am equipped to assist both dual language immersion teachers and regular educators in catering to the needs of multilingual learners.
What are your career or future goals?
Marcano Colon: In the future, I aspire to become an assistant principal and eventually take charge of a program within the district.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering pursuing a master’s degree through the WIPP program while continuing to work as an educator?
Marcano Colon: My advice is to be organized. Create a schedule that works well with both your work life and family life. It’s important to talk to your family and have their support so that everyone is on the same page. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you have any questions or concerns!
Anything else that’s important to you about yourself or your studies or anything else that you want to share?
Marcano Colon: Being here in Wisconsin, particularly in Madison, has been instrumental in my growth as a teacher and leader. Advocating for multilingual learners has become my passion, and working to support teachers in my school and as a part-time instructor in the preparation program has shown me that the education field needs more dedicated leaders and advocates for better services for our students.