Educational Executive Leadership Starts with Orientation

FLAGSTAFF May 6, 2019

The Beat The Odds School Leadership Academy expanded to Northern Arizona beginning with an orientation session today for members of Flagstaff’s inaugural cohort.

During the event, community leaders discussed the importance of executive leadership development for educators as it relates to the advancement of world-class education and community vitality for Flagstaff and Northern Arizona.

LAUNCH Flagstaff partnered with the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) and the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) to bring the Beat The Odds School Leadership Academy to the community, which will provide executive leadership training to school leaders in the Flagstaff area. The rigorous training is designed to foster strong learning environments and transformational school leadership foundations within Arizona schools.

LAUNCH Flagstaff and CFA worked together to form a cohort of 25 participants from public school districts and charter schools, as well as preschool directors and post-secondary leaders who will comprise the Flagstaff cohort.

Flagstaff’s Beat The Odds School Leadership Academy cohort members participating in this program are eligible to receive six credits towards a graduate degree in education from Northern Arizona University after completing the program. The graduate course credit and grant funding for financial assistance is a credit to the strong relationship between LAUNCH Flagstaff, CFA and Northern Arizona University (NAU), and their collective drive to improve Arizona schools.

Financial assistance for participants was provided by GEAR UP, a federal program administered through NAU.  Location sponsorship is being provided by Coconino Community College and NACET.

LAUNCH Flagstaff is also building local business support through financial sponsorship of lunches during the 12 units of the academy which meets for two full-day sessions per unit.  Funding has already been secured for lunch from:

• Loven Contracting
• Edward Jones Investments, Sedric Cade
• North Country HealthCare

Additional business sponsorships are still pending.

Beat The Odds Academy facilitators understand education in Arizona and are recognized in the field. All are NISL certified. Facilitators include Rodel Exemplary Principals, National Blue Ribbon Principals, traditional public school district and charter school network leaders, A for Arizona leaders, Beat The Odds Mentors, A+ School of Excellence Principals and Teach for America alumni.

Beat The Odds School Leadership Academy program curriculum:

• Nationally researched, evidenced-based and locally delivered in a cohort model;
• Improves the practice of leadership, transforms instruction and student achievement in schools;
• Coursework spans strategic leadership, standards-based education systems and instructional practices in math, English, history and science;
• Consists of 12 two-day units, delivered in 12 to 15 months;
• Bridged with online coursework, readings and job-embedded application of key concepts.

The first unit of the academy will be held on June 19-20, 2019 and will run through September 2020.

Keep updated on the cohorts progress at this webpage.

(Top Photo:  Mountain Elementary School Director, Vanessa Fitz-Kessler speaking with other members of the cohort)

All photos courtesy of Zachary Fountain