The Superintendents Leadership Network was initiated in 1997 by the BellSouth Foundation to offer a high-profile response to the need in the Southeast for a focus on leadership development in the region’s public school districts. The uniqueness of this network lay in its focus on district-level leadership; the network was launched with the understanding that strong school-site leadership, while essential for successful schools and high-achieving students, would last only as long as the school district could support, sustain, nurture, and continually develop that leadership. Thanks to support from Cisco, the SLN evolved from a regional presence to a national one. Currently the Network is sustained with membership fees.
We are pleased to be launching our 27th year of the Superintendents Leadership Network (SLN). While the context for public education has changed dramatically, the need for superintendents to have access to intellectually stimulating learning experiences has not changed. We have heard many times from superintendents that the SLN provides them with the best professional development they have experienced. However, it is not only the content that is valued by SLN members; it is also the opportunity to learn from one another.
Each SLN institute is designed using the same frameworks we make available to educators to use in the design of engaging work for both students and adults. We always start a new SLN design with a guiding question: What can superintendents learn from this experience to help them be better leaders in their districts? When field trips are involved, we ask another question: What can superintendents learn from how this organization does its business?
SLN institutes for 2024 are listed below. These are private meetings and are open only to SLN members and their guests. Members will be notified via e-mail when logistics are finalized for each Institute.
April 24–26, 2024
Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange in Jacksonville, Florida
The field trip for this institute will take place on Thursday. We will depart for Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange directly from breakfast. We are pleased to offer participants a chance to explore and learn how the Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange creates a "fluid system" to solve problems and support innovation with the ultimate goal of improving the treatment of patients.
Logistics: We will begin on Wednesday, April 24, at 4:00 p.m. with a dinner immediately following the opening session. Our institute will conclude by 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
July 8–11, 2024
The Breakers, Palm Beach Florida
In schools as learning organizations, student engagement and student achievement are not in opposition. Indeed, amongst other benefits, increasing engagement is the most effective strategy to increase achievement. In addition to exploring the relationship between engagement and achievement, participants in this institute will consider what it means to be accountable for as opposed to accountable to, and how standards can serve as a source of direction.
We are fortunate that Audrey Amrein-Beardsley and John Tanner have agreed to be speakers and institute resources. Each brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of assessment, testing, and evaluation.
Logistics: We will begin on Monday, July 8, at 4:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following the opening session. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will meet from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., leaving plenty of time to enjoy the resort. Our institute will conclude by 11:30 a.m. on Thursday.
October 23–25, 2024
Location and Theme TBD
Logistics: We will begin on Wednesday, October 23, at 4:00 p.m. with a dinner immediately following the opening session. Our institute will conclude by 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
“What your organization and the leaders populating this network are doing is among the finest work in the nation. It was so great to hear from those behind the scenes and in the trenches and not those talking heads who have for too long been the message makers.”
Through years of working with districts and schools, the Schlechty Center has come to understand that significant long-term change in public education is best supported through the efforts of collaborative networks of committed school districts, school leaders, or education organizations.