Thirty-Six Educators Announced as ASCD’s 2011 Class of Emerging Leaders

Alexandria, VA (05/31/11)—ASCD has selected 36 educators for its 2011 class of Emerging Leaders. The Emerging Leaders program recognizes and prepares young, promising educators to influence education programs, policy, and practice on both local and national levels. ASCD is the global leader in providing programs, products, and services that empower educators to support the success of each learner.

The leaders are enrolled in the program for two years, and may be paired with an ASCD mentor—a Board of Directors member, Leadership Council member, affiliate leader, or other high-level contributor—who will provide support and help to guide their development. Emerging Leaders will also attend ASCD's Leader to Leader (L2L) Conference in late July, where they will have the chance to grow as ASCD leaders and access new ideas, resources, and best practices from ASCD leaders, presenters, and staff.

This year's leaders were invited to apply for the competitive program based on self-nominations and recommendations made by past program participants, current ASCD members, and the greater education community. Once ASCD received the online applications, an advisory panel composed of ASCD staff, leaders, and Emerging Leader alumni reviewed and selected this year's class.

“ASCD's mission and positions on teaching and learning reflect my own values and beliefs, so I see the opportunity to join the Emerging Leaders program as a way not only to articulate the shared best practices, but also build leadership skills through working with ASCD leaders and outreach initiatives,” said Brad Cawn, senior manager of school performance for Chicago Public Schools and a 2011 Emerging Leader.

Throughout the program, leaders will have the opportunity to pursue various leadership pathways—such as serving on committees, hosting meet-ups for educators, advocating for sound education policy, and contributing to ASCD publications like Educational Leadership—that not only match their current strengths, but also empower them to continue to grow as leaders.

“I want to be an Emerging Leader because I have a desire to grow and learn all that I can in order to be an effective school administrator at the K–12 level,” said Armentress Robinson, a classroom teacher from Bessemer, Alabama, and a 2011 Emerging Leader. “Although I am currently a classroom teacher, I have much to learn about leadership as I transition from the classroom setting. I believe that becoming an Emerging Leader will assist me in making a successful transition so that I will be able to inspire and empower other educators as well.”

Emerging Leaders have generally been in the profession between 5 and 15 years, have a marked interest in making a positive contribution to education policy and practice, and have invested in professional growth opportunities aimed at improving student outcomes. The 2011 class of Emerging Leaders is both professionally and regionally diverse, ranging from reading specialists to effectiveness managers, hailing from across the globe and educating students from Iowa to Argentina.

“We are proud to work with this group of outstanding young people and provide them with the tools and connections to help them on their journey to become leaders in education,” said ASCD Executive Director and CEO Gene Carter. “This 2011 group of leaders is such a passionate group of teachers and administrators, and we’re proud to induct them into the program.”

For more information on ASCD’s Emerging Leaders program or to learn more about ASCD and ASCD membership, visit www.ascd.org.

Contact Information  

• Stephen Wakefield, communications director, at 1-703-575-5764 or by e-mail.