Center Focus

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.

The Center works to create a network of leaders who are in pursuit of the highest and most meaningful results for children, families and communities.

Leaders engaged in the work of the Center for Innovative Leadership are typically interested in learning about and implementing non-traditional approaches to learning that have the potential to result in significantly different outcomes.
Get Involved
Join the Community of Practice
Learn, grow, and connect with peers when you join the Center for Innovative Leadership’s community of practice.
Meet the Fellows

Liz Garden
NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership Fellow and Principal

Scott McLeod
NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership Fellow and Professor of Educational Leadership
Resources
Supporting Safe School Communities Through PEACE
Read MoreA Washington, D.C., school is enlisting partnerships, education, advocacy, collaboration, and empathy to overcome acts of violence in their community and suppo…
Shaping My Purpose Through Professional Learning
Read MoreAfter attending the ASAE Annual Meeting, NAESP Associate Executive Director, Professional Learning, Gracie Branch highlights takeaways from the conference that…
Lead Like a Llama
Read MoreThe best leaders lean into their strengths, embrace them fully, and use them for the benefit of others—just like a llama. Learn how to lead like a llama to gui…
Digital Literacy: Getting Kids Connected and Keeping Them Safe
Read MoreTo cultivate digital citizenship in students, we need to get all kids connected to the internet and keep them safe once we do.
Developing Kindness Through Empathy and Connections
Read MoreHouston Kraft delivered a thought-provoking keynote address on using empathy and connections to grow kindness.
Cultivating an Inclusive, Welcoming School Community for All
Read MoreJoanne McEachen focused on inclusion in her keynote address, encouraging school leaders to break the mold on what’s been done before to meet students’ new need…
Grounding Learning in Inquiry
Read MoreFreeman Hrabowski III speaks about how teachers who are always leading and always learning can touch eternity through their students.
NAESP’s First Latina President Changes Narrative for Her Students
Read MoreLiza Caraballo-Suarez—an educator for 30-plus years in the Brooklyn, New York, neighborhood she grew up in—sets out to change the narrative for her students by…
NAESP Urges Congress to Retain Crucial Education Funding
Read MoreA FY24 appropriations bill under consideration would have a massive impact for millions of students nationwide.
Game-Changing Ideas From Award-Winning Principals
Read MoreSession notes from “Game-Changing Ideas From Award-Winning Principals,” led by Carol Leveillee, Kirsten Jennette, and Laura Schneider.
Little Things Matter: Lessons From Exceptional Principals
Read MoreSession notes from “Little Things Matter: Lessons From Exceptional Principals,” led by Sean Cain.
Lead in the Water: 5 Strategies for Leading in the Midst of Crisis
Read MoreSession notes from “Lead in the Water,” led by Brian T. Miller.
Powerful 2-Minute Positive Walkthroughs: Elevate Instruction, Provide Coaching, and Build Relations
Read MoreSession notes from “Powerful 2-Minute Positive Walkthroughs,” led by Sarah Fillion.
The Relationship Between Effective Mentoring and School Leadership
Read MoreSession notes from “The Relationship Between Effective Mentoring and School Leadership,” led by Bill Truesdale and Denise Gamble.
School Screenings and Welcome Activities: Preparing for a New School Year
Read MoreSession notes from “School Screenings and Welcome Activities,” led by Julie Bloss.
Making Time for What Matters Most: Prioritizing Your Get-to-Do List
Read MoreSession notes from “Making Time for What Matters Most: Prioritizing Your Get-to-Do List,” led by Greg Moffitt.
Trust and Inspire: A New Dawn of Leadership
Read MoreSession notes from “Trust and Inspire: A New Dawn of Leadership,” led by Muriel Summers.
Coming Together to Promote Belonging for Students with Disabilities
Read MoreSession notes from “Coming Together to Promote Belonging for Students with Disabilities,” led by David Bateman.
Now Seeking: Instructional Change Agents
Read MoreSession notes from “Now Seeking: Instructional Change Agents,” led by Adam Drummond.