Equity School Leaders Fellowship (Region Based)
The Call to Action
Representation matters. The demographics of the student population across the country, especially in urban areas, are not currently reflected in their local school educators. The Equity Leader Fellowship seeks to change outcomes by increasing the pipeline of BIPOC and equity-minded educators working in schools in leadership positions. This cohort-based fellowship is designed to support and accelerate the alumni educators currently sitting in school leadership positions and/or who aspire to be in school leadership within the next 1-2 years. Learning opportunities center our leader's values in equity and require application in relevant, competency-based scenario practice and on-the-ground experiences. Regions will work to identify current and aspiring leaders with a track record of results for students and communities, a heart for equity, and an eye for increasing impact as a school leader to join the cohort. Fellows will learn and grow alongside local alumni with the support of experienced school and systems leaders facilitating the cohorts and providing transformational 1:1 coaching.
Candidate Characteristics:
What they are...
Living in a designated TFA Alumni Region by the start of programming (September 2023)
Aspiration of becoming a school leader within 1-2 years, or a new school leader
Minimum of 5 years of full-time teaching experience
Holds a valid teaching credential
Holds a valid administrative service credential
OR committed to obtaining one within the timeline of the fellowship
The Program:
Transformational Behaviors of Leaders
To lead people and organizations, school leaders must have clarity of vision and defined core values that will guide them, especially in times of uncertainty or ambiguity. The fellowship begins by helping leaders to reflect on their experiences, identities, beliefs, and mindsets in order to clearly define their vision and values for their work.
Technical Aspects of School Leadership
When leaders begin by anchoring in students, equity dispositions, and vision, they are ready to develop technical skills in role-specific behavior of school leadership (ex. Instructional Coaching, Team leadership, Data Analysis and Action Planning, Hiring and Performance Management, and much more).
Application-Based "Pressure" Practice
Using tools like Problem-of-Practice, Case-studies, Equity Action Projects, and School Visits, school leaders are challenged to grapple with the real complexity of the school leader role. Proximal Practices help leaders hone evergreen skills such as decision-making, adaptive communication, navigating ambiguity, prioritizing and planning while getting ready to apply the learning immediately and practically. Learning in a cohort allows for us to practice safely, while also receiving courageous feedback from our teammates that ensure we can be or best in front of our staff, families/community, and kids!
Personalized Coaching
As part of the leadership fellowship experience, each leader receives individual coaching a minimum of 1x/month for the length of the cohort. Coaching is designed to help you apply the content and learning from sessions in highly personalized ways that fit your leadership style and school's context. Coaches become lifelines that are there to help you reflect, process, prioritize, practice the mindsets and skills you need to successfully meet the needs of the school you lead and grow as an individual.