This October, SMU welcomed the 2024-2025 cohort of District Leadership Fellows to campus for their highly anticipated Fall Retreat. After a month of virtual collaboration, the Fellows eagerly gathered in person for two days of interactive learning, goal setting, and meaningful discussions about leadership within their districts.
The retreat kicked off with an engaging team challenge focused on Angola, providing Fellows with the opportunity to work collaboratively while sharpening their problem-solving skills. This exercise was followed by sessions aimed at understanding individual and collective strengths, and establishing Peer Group agreements.
Two guests joined the afternoon, the first of which was Stephanie Knight, Dean of the Simmons School of Education and Human Development who stopped by to welcome the leaders to SMU. Dr. Angie Brooks, an 2023-2024 alum of the program, joined to share her reflections on how to maximize the fellowship experience. Her thoughts resonated with the group, setting an optimistic tone for the remainder of the retreat.
As the sun set on day one, the cohort bonded at a lively networking dinner, where stories, experiences, and aspirations were shared. Faculty and staff from the Simmons School of Education and Human Development join the dinner, and shared their perspectives.
The second day began with coffee and conversation, allowing Fellows to network before diving into goal-oriented work. Fellows engaged in deep discussions about their project goals, resources, and activities, focusing on applying the leadership techniques they’ve learned to real-world district challenges. These interviews, carried out in pairs, allowed each participant to refine their vision and map out actionable steps for the year ahead.
The afternoon sessions focused on drafting their individual Impact Models and scoreboards, tools designed to measure both lead and lag measures critical to district success. Dr. Eric G. Bing, the program director, and facilitator Dr. James Randle, guided the Fellows through this process, helping them link their goals to tangible outcomes. Fellows collaborated in pairs to synthesize their ideas and strategize how best to implement changes in their respective districts.
As the session closed, Peer Groups took the opportunity to capture group photos. As they parted ways, the Fellows felt inspired and equipped to lead transformative initiatives in their schools and communities.
With weekly online meetings lined up for the fall, a winter retreat scheduled for January 2025, and online meetings through the spring, this year’s cohort is well on its way to making a lasting impact. We can’t wait to see how their projects evolve and shape the future of education in their districts.
To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, engage with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.