Explore Our Leadership Development Programs
Just like a coach guides a winning team, great school leaders guide everyone toward success. Research proves that after quality teaching, leadership makes the biggest difference in student learning. On national surveys, the number one factor in teacher satisfaction and retention is their leadership team, even more than pay. After all, people don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad bosses.
Our programs connect leaders from different schools and support them directly in their work environment. Many participants also benefit from personal coaching sessions.
Having strong leaders at every level – from classroom teachers to district chiefs – creates a powerful chain of success in schools. This leadership pipeline helps schools grow their own talent, plan for the future, and keep improving. Most importantly, when leadership is strong at all levels, students thrive.
Find your program:
DC Executive Leader Cohort
10 months (June - April)
Purpose
Develop high-performing and diverse systems leaders with the key skills and competencies needed to lead strong teams in chief-level executive roles.
Target Audience
- Assistant principal leading in DC Public Schools
- In second year or beyond in the AP role
- Must have supervisor approval/recommendation to apply
DC School Leader Cohort
- 15 months (May - August)
Purpose
Develop exceptional principals and assistant principals so that they inspire staff, disrupt racism, and champion rigorous learning.
Target Audience
Principals and assistant principals at any point in their careers.
Learn More
Teacher Leader Cohort
- 9 months (August - May)
August 11, 2025
Purpose
Develop transformational classroom-based leaders so that they exercise leadership on the teams they lead while remaining impactful with their immediate groups of students.
Target Audience
Teacher leaders, grade-level chairs, department chairs, instructional coaches, or equivalent roles.
Learn More
Principal PLC with TFA DC and Virginia:
- 6 months (October - April)
Purpose
This professional learning community of charter and district principals meets for monthly sessions to observe best practices, grow together and reflect on next steps for their leadership.
Target Audience
The program is open to principals, assistant principals who plan to be in a principal role within two years, and senior leaders of smaller districts/networks.
Learn MoreDeltaStrong: PLC for Principals with TFA Delta
- 4 days
Purpose
In partnership with Teach for America (TFA), School Leader Lab is honored to convene school leaders to learn together through school walkthroughs, fellowship, and rich, genuine dialogue.
Target Audience
Principals, assistant principals who plan to be in a principal role within two years, and senior leaders of smaller districts/networks in the Greater Delta area.
Learn More
RPS LEAD
- 4 days
- August 1, 2025
Purpose
In partnership with Teach for America (TFA), School Leader Lab is honored to convene school leaders to learn together through school walkthroughs, fellowship, and rich, genuine dialogue.
Target Audience
Richmond Public School assistant principals and new-to-the-role principals (in years 1-3).
Learn More