EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY – 2022-2023

Developing the Next Generation of School and District Leaders

The EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY (ELA) invites school administrators to recommend teachers, team leaders, counselors, instructional coaches, coordinators, facilitators, department chairs, and deans who want to train as the next generation of school and district leaders to register as participants in the innovative ELA Program. The program is designed to develop the leadership capacity of talented and potential school and district leaders who have a genuine interest and show promise to serve as future administrators. This pathway will connect theory and practice so aspiring leaders can develop the necessary, critical attributes of school leadership. The program prepares future school and district leaders and supports those presently in leadership positions who wish to continue to learn, grow, and develop. The ACADEMY is designed to support aspiring school and district leaders in acquiring the essential knowledge, skills, and practices needed to advance to the next level of leadership. 

Participants will: 

• Have greater clarity about their knowledge and work as aspiring school and district leaders. 
• Identify the challenges associated with their future role as school and district leaders. 
• Develop new strategies in knowing and understanding themselves, their colleagues, current leaders, and school culture. 
• Reach out beyond their boundaries as future school and district leaders. 
• Develop their own personal leadership mission and vision for success. 
• Create an action plan for applying the content of the presentations in the development of their work as future leaders. 
• Connect with other aspiring school and district leaders in a professional learning community environment. 

This year–long, highly engaging, and active learning program will be a serious examination of such topics as instructional and transformational leadership, leadership and communication style assessments, strategic thinking and visioning, school culture and climate, leading change, supervision and evaluation, courageous conversations, decision–making, and systems and time management which will propel the attendees to envision themselves as future school leaders. The ACADEMY is designed to serve and support aspiring school and district leaders in acquiring the essential knowledge, skills, and practices to increase their capacity to lead with greater impact and influence as new school leaders. 

Location: In–person sessions will be conducted at the: Medinah Shrine Center 

550 North Shriners Drive Addison, IL 60101 

Virtual sessions will be conducted via ZOOM only if there are facility, health, safety, or weather issues. 

Dates:

Monday, August 1, 2022

Monday, October 3, 2022

Monday, December 12, 2022

Monday, February 6, 2023

Monday, March 6, 2023

Monday, May 15, 2023 

Time: 

EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Registration Fee: Participants will attend six (6) sessions at a cost of $800 per person and can be paid using ESSA Title IIA funds. Administrators‘ Academy (#3660) credit can be earned through MPC and the DuPage ROE–OR– participants can earn up to 36 hours of PD credit. Your registration fee will also include a complimentary Midwest Principals‘ Center (MPC) membership and an invitation to attend the Legal Breakfast Series at no charge. 

Those interested in registering for the ELA program will be able to do so later this spring. At that time, MPC‘s Program Guide will be available online (midwestprincipalscenter.org) to register for this program and all other 2022–2023 MPC events. 

 

THE FACILITATOR

Bill Melsheimer is a former public school principal and private school head/superintendent with 37 years of administrative experience in Hinsdale and Wilmette, IL.  During his career, he led award-winning schools that were recognized nationally as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, by the National Endowment for the Arts, and NASSP’s Council on Middle Level Education.  His schools were also acknowledged regionally by the Chicago and North Shore magazines and the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

Mr. Melsheimer is founder and president of WM Consulting, Inc., that focuses on leadership coaching and development.  He holds the designation of Professional Coach (PC) as a result of his training, professional development, and over 1,000 hours of leadership coaching experience serving and supporting school and district leaders.  His consulting services center on studies of school climate and culture; school, central office, and district reorganization; and middle school review, revision, and refinement.  Bill Melsheimer serves on the Midwest Principals’ Center’s (MPC) Advisory Board and has been a member of the Board since its inception.  Bill has been a regional facilitator for MPC serving as a professional developer of principals.

 

As a part of the ELA sessions, MPC Advisory Board members participate as guest, co-facilitators.  In addition, practicing school and district administrators are invited to lunch and take part as panelists.  They share their leadership journeys, expertise, and respond to the participants’ questions.  These are two of the many highlights of the sessions according to the ELA members.

 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY

ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES

 

“I participated in the Emerging Leaders Academy and engaged in rich discussions with other aspiring leaders to explore the tenants of effective school leadership.  The greatest aspect of this program was the opportunity to delve into what instructional leadership looks like in practice while reflecting on my own core values and skills. This reflection, and knowledge gained through the Emerging Leaders Academy, will guide me in my future endeavors as a school leader.”

–Team Leader, Willowbrook Elementary School, Glenview, Illinois

 

“I have deeply enjoyed participating in the Emerging Leaders Academy.  I have learned about different leadership styles, developed relationships with colleagues from other schools, and really explored my personal mission and vision for leadership.  The discussion panels have been invaluable with regards to learning about the various administrative roles in a school district and learning about how other school organizations structure their resources.  The facilitator’s expertise in the field of educational leadership has opened my eyes to parts of the job that I never knew existed and have given me the confidence to move forward in my career.  With his support and mentorship, I feel ready to pursue a position in administration.”                     

–Math Teacher, River Trails Middle School, Mt. Prospect, Illinois

 

“I have enjoyed my time at the Emerging Leaders Academy.  By sitting through the multiple sessions, I’ve been able to think about my day-to-day leadership (department meetings, observations, summatives, etc.) but also, what I want from my career long-term.  Just in the last two years (specifically this year) I am able to see myself as more than a department chair — someone who can make change happen, help create building culture, and successfully lead people toward what’s best for kids.  Long story short, the Emerging Leaders Academy has allowed me to evolve.  I’m excited to keep meeting people, network, attend more PD, etc. — I’m excited to find my “niche” in all of this.”                                     –Department Chair, Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake, Illinois

 

“One of the best choices I made this past school year was to participate in the Emerging Leaders Academy.  Each session was framed with the work from the most current and relevant voices in educational leadership.  The information came alive during our dialogue with the Academy’s facilitator and guest administrators.  Each of them had a wealth of experience and knowledge that they enthusiastically shared.  The Academy provided tools that helped me explore my personal leadership and communi- cation styles; and reflecting how I can best use my strengths while developing other needed leadership skills.  Various collabora-tion strategies were also woven into the Academy allowing me to interact with all my colleagues. There was a range of roles, grade levels, and subject matter specialists among the participants which broadened my perspective of education.  Working closely with others who are new to the leadership journey was affirming in my desire to grow as an educator. I would highly recommend the Emerging Leaders Academy.”

                                                   –Teacher on Special Assignment, Winnetka Public Schools, Winnetka, Illinois