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Central Office Leadership Academy (COLA)

Outcomes

This academy will introduce the principles of organizational leadership that will support the participants' development as existing or future executive leaders in education.  These principles will delve into areas impacting the sustainability of executive leaders; and support their leadership development in moving the goals of their district’s strategic plan.  This program will provide a safe space for leaders to reflect on who they are and what they stand for, AND to explore how their educational leadership is impacted by world crisis, political climates, as well as the current needs of students, staff, schools, and offices.  These learning experiences will equip the attendees to understand these concepts of leadership to better support them in advancing their district’s strategic plan and grapple with the complex problems of practice they face as leaders.

Areas of Focus

For Leadership Sustainability 

  • Self-examination (Recognizing Leader Identity)

  • Intentional Professional Development (Self-assessment of strengths/areas of growth; creating work experiences for continued skill development)

  • Work Experience (Diversifying your work experiences)

  • Leading Others (Developing and leading an engaged and positive workplace culture)

  • Work/Life Balance (Self-care/Well Being)

For Organizational Leadership

  • How to support the vision and mission and strategic priorities of the District/organization

  • How global incidents impact local communities

  • Managing politics in education

  • The evolving needs in education impacting all stakeholders

  • Managing and supporting a healthy and supportive culture as a leader

  • Understanding educational policy and how to develop meaningful policy for today’s needs

Academy Structure

Desired participants

District teams of executive leaders and/or central office administrators with a passion to lead in education.  We also welcome teams of executive leaders from educational foundations and organizations who serve as allies to leaders in education.  We can also enroll individual leaders from districts and/or educational organizations. 

Benefit of these collective participants

 These participants and teams coming together would establish and develop a multi-stakeholder allyship to build individual and collective capacity, establish a strong network of support, and most importantly solve problems that are impacting education to improve the outcomes of students and productivity of the overall school districts/organizations.

Program Design  

The Academy is delivered over a 6-month period, November 2025- April 2026. Three in-person sessions and three full- day virtual learning experiences.  Each month has three engagement strategies. 

  • An in-person full day or virtual day learning experience
  • 1- hour virtual team executive coaching session
  • 1- general virtual office hour opportunity 

Each month has a targeted focus area i.e. Change Management, Examining and Understanding Leadership Strengths, Creating A Positive Workplace Culture etc. that is examined through the lens of individual leadership and the context of the problem of practice identified by the participating team. Strategies, research and content are provided during the full day learning experience. Application of the content and strategies happen in between monthly sessions and are part of the virtual team coaching sessions.  Sessions would be facilitated by university professors and practitioners in the field.  

Pricing Information

General Price

  • $3000 per person
  • $12,500 for team of 5

Network Member Price

  • $2,500 per person
  • $10,000 for a team of 5.

Information Sessions 

  • September 3rd at 4:30 pm
  • September 10th at 4:30 pm