Leadership Development Cohort Program for Senior-Level Administrators, 2023-24
Finding and Leaning into Your Authentic Authority:
A hands-on, active learning cohort for female senior independent school administrators
Designed for deans of students, academic deans, DEIB+ professionals, and assistant heads—people who report directly to the head of school and are primarily charged with leading student-facing programs.
The cohort will:
meet for 90 minutes monthly, August through April, with the exception of December and March, where drop-in hours with facilitators will be scheduled (exact day and time of meetings to be determined depending on participants’ availability)
use a “reflecting team” protocol for participants to share their experiences and learn from the experiences of others
include two 30-minute 1-1 meetings with Julie Faulstich or Jane Moulding - one at the beginning and one at the end of the program
require minimal prep time before each session
agree that confidentiality will be maintained - what happens in the cohort stays in the cohort!
Description:
Senior leadership has its challenges as you manage your own team, play a role on a senior management group and access the most effective ways to both partner and “manage up” to the head of school. This cohort will bring together a small number [6-8] of senior administrators to support and elevate each other on their journey with a core goal of exploring the complexities you face in your day-to-day work while developing your best self as a leader within your community. Stepping into your internal authority and developing your ability to influence others will support sustainability in a complicated role and enhance your success in bringing positive change to your school. Working with members of a cohort all wanting to grow and evolve will bring forward the gift of collegiality and wisdom of like minds coming from different perspectives. Sessions will include a mix of leadership curriculum and the use of a consistent protocol for the group to function as a “reflecting team” as participants bring forward problems and situations for discussion.
Goals for the sessions:
Develop meaningful connections with peers and build relationships that (we hope!) are just the start of enduring professional relationships
Come away from each session with practical insights into problem-solving, conflict management and healthy boundary setting
Relieve the isolation of being the “only one” in your position, at your school
Benefit from the facilitation of two accomplished professionals with complimentary but different points of view
What is a cohort, and why does it support powerful learning:
A group whose members share similar characteristics and appreciate the power of a consistent group of people working together; a collection of like-minded people in different places who see the strength of their diversity and difference.
This upcoming cohort program is created with the strong belief that more minds are always better than one, and a collective deep dive will furnish you with durable insights to use in your current and future work. Our approach to professional growth work is designed to support participants learning from each other through curated and facilitated sessions led by two experienced educators, both former heads of school, senior administrators and teachers.
About the facilitators:
Julie Faulstich and Jane Moulding are long-time friends and colleagues dating back to when they were neighbors - Jane as head of school at The Cambridge School of Weston and Julie as Assistant Head at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts. In 2020, as head of the Westover School, Julie reached out to Jane to work with a cohort of female senior leaders funded through the E.E. Ford Foundation. Through this work, they further developed their thinking about the power of small groups working together. Both had previous experience participating in multi-year learning cohorts of peers in similar professional roles, and found it among the most effective and enjoyable professional development of their careers.
Check these links for more about each of them:
Jane Moulding Bio - SmarterWisdom Consulting
Julie Faulstich - Stony Creek Strategy - LinkedIn profile
Julie's newsletter on school leadership
Fees:
$2200 for each participant.
Note: Participants who join the cohort will be expected to set aside the time needed to be consistently engaged members of the group. It will be worth it to you, and that the group will benefit from the presence of all members at all meetings.
Interested? Contact us here: Finding Your Authority interest form
Jane or Julie will be in touch with you by late May/early June