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
Why You Should Invite a Legislator to Your School
Read MoreUse this planning checklist to schedule a legislator visit so your school’s story of challenge and success is top of mind as they create policies that affect y…
Game-Changing Solutions to Staff Shortages
Read MoreAdministrators share their biggest challenges of staffing shortages and game-changing solutions to address a shrinking educator pipeline.
Hispanic Heritage: Addressing Inequities and Celebrating Culture
Read MoreThis Principals’ Voices in School Equity blog post highlights resources school leaders can use to create equitable learning environments for Latino students an…
Discovering Your “Why” as an Educator
Read MoreSimon Sinek challenged attendees to discover their “why” on a personal level and as a school leader and use it to create positive change in schools, build trus…
Overcoming Challenges to Find Your Calling
Read MoreInky Johnson’s inspiring story of overcoming adversity after a career-ending football injury to find his calling is a lesson to school leaders to continue to s…
Leading in Challenging Times
Read MoreSession notes from “Leading in Challenging Times,” a panel moderated by Doug Reeves that featured principals Allyson Apsey, Howard Fields, Rachael George, Jess…
Help! I Didn’t Pick These People! Dealing with Difficult People
Read MoreSession notes from “Help! I Didn’t Pick These People! Dealing with Difficult People,” presented by Stephanie Johnson and Diane Watkins.
Jefferson County Schools’ Comprehensive Approach to Family Engagement
Read MoreSession notes from “Jefferson County Schools’ Comprehensive Approach to Family Engagement,” presented by Chrystal Hawkins and Andrea Brown.
School Improvement: The Fundamentals and Framework
Read MoreSession notes from “School Improvement: The Fundamentals and Framework,” presented by Tonya Goree.
Establishing a Tiered System of Supports
Read MoreSession notes from “Establishing a Tiered System of Supports,” presented by Lance McClard.
Tried That! What’s Next? Tiered Support for Students
Read MoreSession notes from “Tried That! What’s Next? Tiered Support for Students,” presented by Amy Niemeier.
Like a Phoenix in the Ashes: Change Agents Rise
Read MoreSession notes from “Like a Phoenix in the Ashes: Change Agents Rise,” presented by Adam Drummond.
21 Keys for Positive School Climate and Culture
Read MoreSession notes from “21 Keys for Positive School Climate Culture,” presented by Ryan Eckart and Keith Kuwik.
Ways to Maximize Your Building Leadership Team
Read MoreSession notes from “Ways to Maximize Your Building Leadership Team,” presented by Courtney Goodman.
The Literacy Lever: Every Reader, Every Leader, Whatever It Takes
Read MoreSession notes from “The Literacy Lever: Every Reader, Every Leader, Whatever It Takes,” by Brad Gustafson.
How to Get All Teachers to Be Like the Best Teachers
Read MoreSession notes from “How to Get All Teachers to Be Like the Best Teachers,” presented by Todd Whitaker.
School Safety and You: Tools to Address Emerging Threats in the K-12 Community
Read MoreSession notes from “School Safety and You,” by Kaitlin Seale, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Aimee Manjarres, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, …
Connect and Engage at the Learning Lounge
Read MoreTake time at the conference to learn from fellow educators and build relationships.