A Professional Development Program for District Leaders
The First Ring Leadership Academy is a year-long professional development and leadership training program for Teacher Leaders in the 16 districts that surround the Cleveland Municipal School District. Participants are nominated by their superintendents each spring to become part of the cohort the following school year.
The Academy meets for nine full days throughout the academic year with a focus on building capacity to address the unique challenges of First Ring Districts: Poverty, Student Mobility, Diversity and Closing the Achievement Gap. Participants engage in a variety of learning activities including on-site presentations and discussion, readings and reflections, and coordinating and mentoring a team of high school Student Leaders within their district. Sessions are held at the ESC of Northeast Ohio, district sites and area colleges.
As participants, District Leaders commit to the following:
Leadership Academy Sessions
Attend all nine full-day sessions (locations announced in August)
Oct. 12, 2021 (8:30-3:30) - Orientation & Foundations for District Leaders (District Leaders only), ESC of Northeast Ohio
Oct. 29, 2021 (8:00-1:30) — Session 1 (with Student Leaders), CSU Campus
Nov. 17, 2021 (8:00-1:30) — Session 2 (with Student Leaders), CSU Campus
Dec. 9, 2021 (8:00-1:30) — Session 3 (with Student Leaders), CSU Campus
Jan. 27, 2022 (8:00-1:30) — Session 4 (with Student Leaders), Remote
Feb. 16, 2022 (8:00-1:30) — Session 5 (with Student Leaders), Remote
Mar. 9, 2022 (8:00-1:30) — Session 6 (with Student Leaders), to be determined
Apr. 28, 2022 (8:30-3:30) — Reflections on Leadership & Making Change for District Leaders (District Leaders only), ESC of Northeast Ohio
May 13, 2022 (8:00-1:00) — Final Meeting & Celebration, St Michael Woodside
Site Coordination for Student Leadership Program
Serve as site coordinator for high school Student Leadership program
Five (5) 10th grade students per high school
Advise Student Leaders on the development and implementation of action research project(s)
Develop relationships with community partners to serve as sites for student projects
Support facilitation, as needed, for three (3) Student Leadership Retreat events
scheduled as a part of Friday FRLA sessions in October, December and February)
Guide students with final project presentations (scheduled during FRLA Graduation Ceremony in May)
