Supervisors' Management School
The Supervisors' Management School develops management and supervisory skills. The school will provide park and recreation professionals with the necessary tools to improve their ability to impact the day-to-day activities of their organization. For those who supervise employees, this school will provide a strong understanding of the principles of managing people and supporting co-workers and supervisors.

Registration, Fees, and Dates
Save the date!
November 5-10, 2023
November 3-8, 2024
November 2-7, 2025
All dates are subject to change.
For more information on registration, contact Oglebay at ntc@oglebay.com
Location
The Supervisors' Management School is hosted annually at the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia in partnership with the National Training Center at Oglebay.
Partnership
Supervisors' Management School is a partnership between the National Recreation & Park Association, the National Training Center at Oglebay, and North Carolina State University.
Who should attend?
This two-year program is well-suited for any park and recreation professional responsible for the supervision of employees.
Key Subjects Covered
- Apply personal core characteristics to lead an organization with individual strengths.
- Identify variables that shape and direct an organization.
- Describe skills to manage the workforce individually and as a whole.
Year One Session Topics | Year Two Session Topics |
Strengthening Supervisory Skills from the MBTI | Building the Elusive High Performing Team |
When to Lead When to Manage | Coaching Difficult Employees |
Selecting & Keeping the Right Employee | Managing Yourself, Leading Others |
Building Trust | Planning for the Unexpected: Managing Conflict and Crisis |
Organizational Culture - Your Role, Your Responsibility | Understanding Group Dynamics |
Creating a Motivating Work Environment | The Art of Negotiation |
Effective Communication Skills | Cultural Competency |
The In-Box: Challenge of Setting Priorities | Our Profession: Identifying Trends for Future Impact |
Managing Performance | Ethical Management |
What do graduates say?
“The SMS program for me was an invaluable asset. The knowledge I gained has helped me grow leaps and bounds in the past two years alone and has helped me to develop skills that will continue to help me grow through my career. Not only was the course work helpful, but I was also able to build my network and gain some friendships that I will have for a lifetime. In my opinion, the SMS program is a must have for every new and seasoned supervisor. Our main goal as supervisors is to be effective in how we lead. To do so, we must first educate ourselves so we can then educate others. There is no better way than the SMS program.” --Wyatt Richardson, Crew Chief I, Park Development Division at City of Durham, NC
“No matter how long you have been in management, you will take away good information from the classes and your classmates.” --Frank Hackett, Parks Foreman at City of Ft.Lauderdale, FL
“After attending the second year of SMS, I came back to work with a different perspective of my role as supervisor. I see how my leadership has changed and it has improved the dynamics of my crew. Not only that, my relationship with my boss is smoother because I understand the importance of my position and how to communicate my needs appropriately. I felt SMS provided new ideas for strengthening my leadership skill and tactics for managing people and time. Thank you!” --Patricia Greenberg, Environmental Resource Supervisor at Reston Association (Reston, VA)
Access Date | Quiz Result | Score | Actions |
---|
Engage With Us