School Leader Lab

Nearly 70% of DC principals are black. A majority of those leaders are black women. Over the next few weeks, months, and even years, there will be much questioning about the capabilities and values of a Black and Indian woman on an international stage. This will inevitably be challenging for many people, particularly black women, who are disproportionately subjected to such critique and skepticism. Black women have a vital role in education and, as demonstrated time and again, in our political landscape. If our students are going to experience the consistency, justice and academic experience we know they deserve, taking care of ourselves is not a luxury—it's imperative. There may be a range of emotions right now: fear, bracing for impact (term courtesy of Bridget Myers, Ed.D.), hope. Here are a few tips for protecting your peace during challenging news cycles, no matter where you are. #sonyamassey #sayhername

📣 📣 Introducing SLC 2024! 📣 📣 These 19 leaders come from ten LEAs across DC. Over the next 15 months, they will notice and disrupt patterns of racism in themselves and in their schools, set conditions for those they lead to thrive, and create and maintain instructional systems to highlight the genius in students.

🥁 🎉 Introducing EdEx 2024! 🥁 🎉 School Leader Lab's Executive Leader Cohort (EdEx) 2024, supported by Education Forward DC, is made up of 13 incredible sitting and future C-suite leaders representing 10 DC LEAs. EdEx develops high-performing senior school leaders to drive strategic initiatives and create thriving, antiracist environments. The cohort will sustain a pipeline of C-suite-level leaders, with a particular focus on leaders of color, in DC charter schools to ensure high-quality education options for all DC students.

🌟 Our amazing staff recently took a well-deserved retreat to reconnect with our purpose, strategize for the year ahead, and of course, have some fun! 🚀 From inspiring brainstorming sessions to team-building activities, it was a time of growth, laughter, and rejuvenation. And speaking of fun, check out Akosua's SLL swag in the picture – those sneakers steal the show! 👟✨ #TeamSpirit #SneakerGoals Here's to an incredible year ahead with all our fabulous leaders and schools! 💪🏿 🎉 #SchoolLeaderLab #TeamRetreat #Education #Leadership #TeamBuilding Akosua Kelley Eryn Cochran Kimberly Beck David Ayala

💰 Get a $50 Visa Gift Card + Meal! 💰 Our friends at the D.C. Policy Center are looking to gain community input from D.C.’s public school teachers (DCPS + Charter). The organization is hosting teacher listening sessions later this month and would love for as many teachers to participate as they can.  During these listening sessions, teachers will have the opportunity to share their experiences in school year 2023-24, share future goals, and more. Teachers can sign up here.    Check out the survey link and QR code for more information on how to sign up. The deadline is 6/24.

✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿 Honoring Juneteenth ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿 Today, on Juneteenth, we commemorate the liberation of those who endured the inhumane, peculiar institution of slavery. Historically, many arguments for slavery were steeped in the false belief that Black people lacked intellectual capacity and the ability to self-govern. At School Leader Lab, we honor the resilience and genius of those who came before us by ensuring that their descendants are guided by educators who recognize and nurture their brilliance. By championing rigorous learning and empowering leaders who honor the genius within each student, we will create a future that doesn’t just celebrate the idea of liberty but actually delivers on the original promise. #Juneteenth #BlackBrilliance #Education #Equity #SchoolLeaderLab

We are thrilled to be part of the 2024 Spur Local class of critical local nonprofits! Congratulations to our peer nonprofits, who we’re excited to meet and partner with alongside Spur Local. It’s an honor to be selected by community advocates across the region based on our impact and work. With your support, we can continue to make a difference right here where we live. #SpurLocal #GiveLocal #DMVNonprofit https://lnkd.in/e3XcjUXw

🏆 Welcome Executive Leader Cohort (EdEx) 2024! 🏆 13 Executive Leaders across 10 DC LEAS representing close to 14,000 students. Last Thursday, we kicked off EdEx 2024! After an opening dinner at Art and Soul, we kicked off session one by analyzing our PRISM personality assessments to increase our self-awareness. We then began to set a strategic vision for SY ‘24-’25 by grounding it in Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). Most importantly, we started building cohort connections that will last beyond our time together in EdEx. Thank you, Education Forward DC, for supporting this vision. Thank you to Greenhouse E3 for being our collaborator in strengthening the pipeline of Black and Brown senior leaders in DC. Thank you to our coaches: Lauren Bryant, Tai Dixon Darden, Esq., and Debon Lewis. Thank you, Jessica Akoto, for partnering with us on this work. Thank you to all of our leaders: Alexandria Danielle Brooks, Niya White, Demetria Gartrell, Ed.D., Eric Collazo, Vanessa Gonzalez, Amy Quinn, Aaron Colston, Emily Rodegast, LeAngelo Emperator, P. Christian Yarberry, MBA, MS, Selena G., Angel McNeil-Wright, and Aliesha Maye. Lastly, thank you to our partner networks for their continued trust. E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, Center City Public Charter Schools, Washington Leadership Academy Public Charter School, DC Prep, @Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School, Achievement Prep, Capital City Public Charter School, DC Scholars Public Charter School, DC Bilingual Public Charter School, Meridian Public Charter School, and Rocketship Public Schools.

😎 ⛱ Hello Summer? 😎 ⛱ We’ve been asking school leaders about their summer plans lately, and many reply, "What summer?" Summer planning is crucial. Rest is as well. Our board encouraged our Executive Director, Erica Beal, to take a two-week break, one week for family and another week just for herself. It was transformative. Check out Erica’s summer work rules and other rest tips below to stay re-energized and start off school year ‘24-’25 rested and renewed. Let us know in the comments how you plan to rest this summer!

🏳️🌈 🏳️🌈 🏳️🌈 Happy Pride! 🏳️🌈 🏳️🌈 🏳️🌈 Creating safe and welcoming environments for queer students begins with doing the same for teachers and staff members. Inspired by insights from Sarah Lewis-Kulin's article "5 Ways to Support LGBTQ+ Employees in the Workplace," here are five concrete ways school leaders can support LGBTQ+ staff and celebrate Pride Month this June and all year round. #InclusiveEducation #PrideMonth #LGBTQSupport #SchoolLeadership #DiversityAndInclusion