About the School Leadership Learning Lab

Teach for America (TFA) Austin seeks to build a coalition of educators and school leaders prepared to meet the current needs of students while also preparing students to live, learn, and thrive right here in Austin. In partnership with Transcend, TFA Austin is excited to launch the second cohort of the School Leadership Learning Lab (SLLL), which will begin in January 2022! 

The SLLL cohort will have an opportunity to activate their visions and plans towards building equitable, extraordinary experiences and outcomes for students. During the four month SLLL, Transcend will facilitate a series of four workshops anchored in Transcend’s 10 Leaps for Equitable, 21st Learning that will offer resources and tools to help our community leaders to actualize equitable change in schools. The cohort will participate in three in-person learning spaces, including school visits to Austin area schools exemplifying one or more of the 10 leaps.  The SLLL will provide participants the opportunity to develop leadership skills, build their understanding of equity, and become a stronger community-centered advocate. Ultimately, TFA Austin hopes the SLLL will help catalyze a cohort of leaders that are reimagining classrooms and campuses that better meet student needs now and in the future.

Workshops

Alongside Transcend, Teach For America Austin developed a customized series of “spark workshops” that give educators the opportunity to come together virtually and in-person to explore, connect, interrogate, and dream about what is possible for students in Austin. These workshops are designed to inspire participants to join a growing coalition of community members as part of our greater collective leadership efforts toward creating 21st Century learning opportunities for all students in Austin. Throughout the four month SLLL program participants will explore the following:

• Transcend’s Leaps for Equitable, 21st Century Learning to deepen your understanding of the shifts that need to be made in their school community in order to realize equitable and extraordinary outcomes
• Learn how to conduct and analyze interviews and focus groups to deeply listen and engage with their communities 
• Understand how to leverage Transcend’s Leap survey to assess the needs of your community 
• Attend school inspiration visits in Austin to see different learning environments 
• Create a Case for Change and an action plan to enact your change in your own contexts

Participants

All educators are encouraged to apply and do not need to be a Teach For America Alumni to participate. The cohort will include 10-12 participants from all areas of Austin and from all levels of education leadership, including classroom teachers, campus leaders, and district central office administrators. 

SLLL participants will be working in small groups throughout the Spark Workshops. To get the most out of the series and learn from others, participants are expected to attend all four Wednesday workshops. The two Saturday workshops are strongly encouraged and will be an opportunity to work together in person as well as dedicated time to complete the pre- and post-work for each workshop. 

The School Leadership Learning Lab is an inspiring and rigorous leadership program. We understand, especially during this time, that teachers and school leaders are extremely busy and your time is precious. We are committed to ensuring the work is both manageable and meaningful. We anticipate cohort members spending 4 hours a month, including the Saturday sessions, preparing for each workshop. We anticipate the following time commitment per month:

• January, 4 hours
• February, 4-5 hours
• March, 12-13 hours (this includes a full day of school visits)
• April, 4-5 hours

Program Costs

Thanks to our generous partners including Applied Materials, the School Leadership Learning Lab is free of charge for all participants. Additionally, Teach For America Austin, will provide a delivery meal credit for each participant for each workshop throughout the program. Participants will also receive a selection of items to support their participation in the program. 

Join Us!

Join us today to engage in meaningful conversation and develop leadership skills necessary to reimagine education for our all Austin students.

Questions? Email Christine Nishimura at christine.nishimura@teachforamerica.org