Program alum Dr. Chris Moran shared his wisdom on effectively working with school boards.
Category: Leadership Training
“The District Leadership Fellows Impact Model has been very beneficial for me. It gives me a way to distill big ideas into something that is very concise and easier to communicate.” Dr. John Tackett, 2020-2021 cohort alum
Gratitude, conviction, execution, growth, intentional, accountable and open are words the 2021-2022 cohort will embody as they move forward on their leadership journey.
“District Leadership Fellows is such a helpful program to not only connect with other school leaders, but also gain insight from Dr. Bing. He brings a different view and lens to school leaders.” – Dr. Michelle Cline, Superintendent, Throckmorton Collegiate ISD, Texas
I can go almost directly to that goal, without leaving and going back and forth …..and I contribute that model with just keeping us focused and determined and driven. Dr. Michelle Cline, Superintendent, Throckmorton Collegiate ISD.
Twenty-seven district leaders have kicked off the 2010-2022 District Leadership Fellows cohort with an online meeting.
“I would say that District Leadership Fellows definitely saved me . . . in so many ways. I felt like I wasn’t alone.” – Khechara Bradford (Deputy Superintendent of Learning, Providence Public Schools, RI)
The 2020-2021 cohort of the SMU District Leadership Fellows program wrapped up the year with a final meeting. Fellows participated in a roundtable on Social Emotional Learning programs for educators and provided updates on their projects.
The 2020-2021 cohort of District Leadership Fellows has wrapped up with a virtual year-end retreat. The session opened with a roundtable discussion titled “Social Emotional Health for Educators: Caring for Those who Care for our Kids”. Juany Valdespino-Gaytán, Executive Director of Engagement Services at Dallas Independent School District, described the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program that has been implemented for staff and students in Dallas ISD. District Leadership Fellows program facilitator, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Waco ISD, Dr. Josie Hernanadez-Gutierrez described the process underway at Waco ISD to implement a Social Emotional Learning program for district staff.
Fellows then provided year-end updates on their projects. Dr. Gerald Hudson, Superintendent at Cedar Hill ISD in Texas, described his initiative to work with the community to create a Community Based Accountability System for the district. Ms. Khechara Bradford, Deputy Superintendent of Learning at Providence Public Schools in Rhode Island, described her transition from education leadership in Texas to Rhode Island. Other Fellows also presented updates, and discussed the common themes that emerged from their year’s work.
The leaders had a chance to reflect on key insights and lessons learned in their time in the program, and to think through critical next steps as they move forward to next year. The session ended by circling back to the important work the leaders have engaged in throughout the year, both in terms of moving their projects forward, and in terms of building a network of peers to support each other as they continue to learn and grow.
Information on applying to join the 2021-2022 cohort of District Leadership Fellows is available here.
To learn more about Institute for Leadership Impact programs, visit our website, email us at leadershipimpact@smu.edu, and engage with us on Twitter.
Taking a two-year approach to catching up after the pandemic, considering alternatives to retention, focusing on skills gaps not content gaps, and providing summer activities for all learners were some of the ideas raised at the April meeting.
I would say that District Leadership Fellows definitely saved me this year, in so many ways. I felt like I wasn’t alone. – Khechara Bradford