Empowered Leaders
People are the foundation of what makes a great school. School leaders set the tone for equitable and effective learning.
Why it matters
Schools have been designed inequitably. In order to effectively close gaps, we need empowered leaders willing to be flexible, deliberate, and collaborative with teachers and families to ensure students’ unique needs are met.
Empowered leaders with direct knowledge of and proximity to students are best positioned to make decisions that meet the needs of their school community.
Our work with schools starts with establishing a strong partnership with leaders, walking alongside them to develop and implement customized improvement efforts.
2-7
Highly effective principals can add 2-7 months of learning in one school year*
25%
School leadership accounts for 25% of a schools’ impact on student learning*
Putting it into practice
Schools participating in our Good to Great Cohort have the opportunity to participate in coaching and professional development to ensure they have what they need to effectively lead their teams to improve impact for students. Our portfolio director connects school leaders with best in class capacity building and strategic interventions that are customized to the needs of their school community.
17
school leaders received executive coaching
26
school leaders participated in a Relay Program
18
school leaders accessed ANET
Featured Strategic Partners
Bellwether Education Partners
Our portfolio directors and partners at Bellwether provide school leaders with the 1-1 technical assistance and support they need to lead effective and inclusive school improvement planning. We take a customized and holistic approach, working to improve the full continuum of leader supports to help them achieve their vision.
Relay Graduate School of Education
Relay Leadership Programs provide a space for leaders to learn together, inspire, and empower each other, and return to their schools with the skills and clear vision on how to better serve students, teachers, and school communities.
“Relay was hands down the most impactful professional development I have ever had and really helped set our school up for success. It pushed me to shift my thinking and notice different areas of growth.” – Liz Ferguson Prodeo St. Paul Primary Academy
Achievement Network (ANet)
ANet works alongside school leadership teams to strengthen their school-wide practice and culture of using learning standards, achievement data, and analysis of student work to get breakthrough results for students. The level of partnership with ANet is tailored to school need and readiness for implementation; this can include job-embedded coaching for instructional leaders, interim assessments, data reports, tools, and instructional resources, as well as informational supports such as learning walks in participating schools.
Learning Walks
Great MN Schools and ANet host Learning Walks for school leaders and educators. This is an opportunity to visit schools throughout the country demonstrating excellence. School leaders consistently report these trips as vital learning experiences for inspired leadership and transformative growth.
“One big takeaway that I had was that leadership varies from each location and despite the variation, there is a lot of success and student joy! I am excited to take some of what was observed and start planning for the end of this year and next year.” – Denver Learning Walk Participant
Research & Proof Points
- Eight Cities continuously improving systems of schools, Bellwether Education Partners
- ‘Reinventing America’s Schools,’ Progressive Policy Institute
- Minnesota Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System, Minnesota Department of Education
- National Center for Educational Statistics
Former middle school math teacher, Great MN Schools board member, and investment committee member
*https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/empowering-principals-to-empower-their-schools
Get Involved
Do you believe empowered leaders are key to a great school?