Key points:
School leaders who are members of AASA will soon be able to participate in ongoing engagement, collective problem-solving, and development with a professional community of peers providing just-in-time support matched to the specific challenges they face every day.
Cognia, a global nonprofit focused on helping education institutions grow learners, educators, and leaders, and AASA, The Superintendents Association, recently announced an agreement to make comprehensive leadership support and innovative professional learning via the Leadership Circle available to cohorts of educational leaders throughout the country.
“AASA is excited to join forces with Cognia and expand upon our deep bench of timely supports for school leaders,” said Dr. David Shuler, executive director of AASA. “By pooling resources and expertise, this collaboration aims to supercharge how leaders are prepared and supported, ultimately reshaping the education landscape for the benefit of all children.”
“Aspiring and current superintendents will have access to unique resources, networking, collaborative problem-solving opportunities, and cohort-based coaching to address leadership challenges in real time,” said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia.
The partnership expands access for AASA members and educators to ongoing expert counsel, enabling them to continue to grow in their careers by taking part in the numerous leadership development and support programs that are part of Cognia’s Leadership Circle improvement services. As part of the new agreement, cohorts of AASA members will be invited to participate in the Leadership Circle, year-round including:
- Solution Circles, where participants submit leadership problems to get honest,
expert feedback and collectively develop pragmatic solutions with an online or in-person gathering of school leaders from around the country - Leader Chat, a weekly podcast with education and business leaders and relevant video content to keep current with new trends, research, strategies, and innovative work and progress made via AASA professional subgroups
- Think Tanks, in which leaders across the country meet as a larger group to address common problems
- Ambassador Support from experienced ambassadors who guide and nurture
relationships with established cohorts of school leaders - A National Online Learning Community, a private and interactive online
professional learning meeting space for leaders to find content created and engage with one another and Leadership Circle team of Ambassadors. - In-Person Summits convening leaders at Cognia’s metro Atlanta headquarters in a facility designed for just this purpose–targeted learning experiences to provide safe spaces for leaders to discuss relevant topics, participate in small group gatherings, network, and hone their individual leadership skills.
Existing Cognia Leadership Circle and network members will have access to more leaders with similar challenges, responsibilities, and institution types with whom to collaborate, network, and problem-solve with job-alike peers.
“Together, AASA and Cognia are poised to make a lasting and positive impact on the future of school district leadership,” said Dr. Jeff Rose, a former three-time superintendent in Oregon and most recently in Fulton County, Georgia who is Cognia’s senior vice president for leadership development.
District leaders seeking more information should contact the Leadership Circle team, via email at LeadershipCircle@Cognia.org.
This press release originally appeared online.
