NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership

The NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership provide focused learning and development for elementary and middle-level principals throughout the nation.

Overview 

While similar in nature, each center will develop its own approach to deepen and broaden learning focused on the learning interests of participants.  Each center is led by fellows who are well-respected, experienced leaders with a track record of connecting with colleagues and creating powerful professional networks.  The role of the fellows is to facilitate learning and professional growth related to current and emerging issues; identify and share best practices, current research and resources; promote the essential leadership role of the principal; and create a network of colleagues with an interest in expanding their learning. Leaders who choose to participate in learning through the centers will share experiences with colleagues while moving at their own pace.  Leaders can choose to participate in more than one center and are encouraged to explore topics that will benefit them as professionals.

Centers  

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Center for Diversity Leadership

The Center for Diversity Leadership focuses on promoting best practices and sharing resources related to cultural responsiveness and inclusion leading to a deeper understanding among all leaders on how to address the needs of each student.

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Center for Innovative Leadership

The Center for Innovative Leadership works to highlight transformative and innovative practices and strategies that serve as a catalyst for shaping the long-term impact of school improvement efforts.

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Center for Middle-Level Leadership

The Center for Middle-Level Leadership focuses on providing the exceptional skills and support that middle-level administrators need to lead outstanding schools with high levels of student achievement.

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Center for Women in Leadership

The Center for Women in Leadership is dedicated to the strategic study of women administrators and the unique challenges that they face as educational leaders because of their gender.

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Center for Early Learning Leadership

The Center for Early Learning Leadership works to develop a network of school leaders who create and support connections to prioritize best practices and strategies in leading the early grades, from preschool to grade 3.

Meet the Senior Fellow

Andy Jacks, Ed.D.

Senior Fellow, Centers for Advancing Leadership
ajacks@naesp.org

Andy Jacks, Principal at The Nokesville School, is a well-respected and experienced leader with a track record of connecting with colleagues and creating powerful professional networks. Jacks’ role is to facilitate learning and professional growth related to current and emerging issues; identify and share best practices, current research and resources; promote the essential leadership role of the principal; and create a network of colleagues with an interest in expanding their learning. 

Resources

  • Middle-Level Meetup

    Are you an NAESP member leading a middle school looking to connect with peers, discuss challenges, and share resources? Held every other month via Zoom, Middle…

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  • Middle-Level Meetup

    Are you an NAESP member leading a middle school looking to connect with peers, discuss challenges, and share resources? Held every other month via Zoom, Middle…

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  • Middle-Level Meetup

    Are you an NAESP member leading a middle school looking to connect with peers, discuss challenges, and share resources? Held every other month via Zoom, Middle…

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  • NAESP Mastermind

    A Mastermind group is a peer-to-peer mentoring group used to help members solve their problems through input and advice from the other group participants. NAES…

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  • Middle-Level Leadership Fellow Application Open

    NAESP is excited to announce that we have an opening for a fellow in our Center for Middle-Level Leadership due to Kevin Armstrong being elected vice president…

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  • Women in Leadership Book Study

    Join us for the Center for Women in Leadership’s third national book study. Sign up to be a book study facilitator for our book of choice, She Leads, The Women…

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  • Imposter Syndrome

    A look at why some think they don’t “deserve” their roles, and how to work through these feelings.

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  • Mentor Recertification Training

    NAESP National Mentor Certification is valid for a period of three years and can then be renewed through participation in a recertification training. This thre…

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  • Mentor Recertification Training

    NAESP National Mentor Certification is valid for a period of three years and can then be renewed through participation in a recertification training. This thre…

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  • Mentor Recertification Training

    Upon completion of the LII, participants who choose to pursue National Mentor Certification transition into a nine-month virtual Mentor-in-Training (MIT) inter…

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  • Mentor Recertification Training

    Upon completion of the LII, participants who choose to pursue National Mentor Certification transition into a nine-month virtual Mentor-in-Training (MIT) inter…

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  • NAESP Virtual Leadership Immersion Institute Training

    This 2-day event provides the foundational knowledge for the mentor program. Participants receive 15 professional development hours upon completion of the LII.…

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