Berkshire principal selected as Fulbright leader

Berkshire Middle School Principal Jason Clinscale was one of 10 school administrators in the nation selected for the Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program, an international program that will allow Clinkscale and nine colleagues to visit Finland for an intensive 10-day program from March 6-16.

The Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government. It is administered by IREX in the U.S. and Fulbright Finland Foundation in Finland. The program is a progressional development opportunity for U.S. K-12 school and district administrators, who are chosen to travel to Finland for a 10-day immersive, international experience. The group will learn and share best educational practices through briefings, panel discussions, visits to schools and networking events. According to Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program, administrators will gain a deeper understanding of their roles as leaders in creating students who are ready for the global economy.

Clinkscale’s said his personal and professional goals is “to do everything possible to close achievement and opportunity gaps that exist between various subgroups of students in our society.” He said he hopes to learn about many of the educational best practices that are utilized throughout Finland that ensure equitable learning opportunities and outcomes for all students.

Clinkscale came to Birmingham Public Schools to work at Berkshire Middle School in 2006, as an assistant principal and athletic director. He became principal in 2011.

Prior to his work in Birmingham Schools, he was a middle school science teacher in Southfield Public Schools. He received his B.S. degree in elementary education from Wayne State University and a master's degree from Michigan State University in educational administration.

Clinkscale serves as a board member on Birmingham Youth Assistance (BYA), Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition (BBCC) and The Einstein Method. He and his wife Koren, who is principal of Beech Elementary in Redford Union, are the parents of Kyle, 11, and Kara, 9.