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Emerging leaders are educators who
All emerging leaders establish an understanding of ASCD's mission and goals, attend the ASCD Leader to Leader (L2L) Conference, connect with experienced ASCD leaders, and engage in a two-year program of activities.
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There is no age limit for Emerging Leaders program participants. However, since the program is targeted at educators who have been in the profession for 5–15 years and are just beginning to pursue leadership opportunities within ASCD and the field of education, most ASCD emerging leaders tend to be under the age of 40. We ask for a date of birth on the online application to help ensure that each class of emerging leaders comprises a diverse group of individuals.
The window for nominations for the 2021 Class of ASCD Emerging Leaders is now open. To nominate a deserving educator, please complete this online form by 11:59 p.m. U.S. eastern daylight time on April 30, 2021.
You must be nominated by a supervisor, colleague or peer who is familiar with your work as an educator. You will be notified once you are nominated with instructions on how to complete the application process to be considered for the ASCD Emerging Leaders program.
The ASCD Emerging Leaders program application is an online form. We recommend that you fill it out in one sitting. Please allow at least 30 minutes to complete the application. To prepare to fill out the application, either print out a PDF copy of the application or have the following information ready before accessing the online form:
Anyone can nominate candidates for the Emerging Leaders program. Candidates are then invited to complete an application during the months of May and June. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Completed applications are scored by a selection panel trained to use a rubric focused on the program goals. The selection panel is composed of ASCD staff, veteran emerging leaders, and external reviewers who currently hold leadership positions within the organization. Finalists are forwarded to the executive director for approval.
The new class of emerging leaders is announced in September.
The selection committee will accept all applicants who are a good fit for the program. Successful applicants will articulate all or most of the following components in their application: 5–15 years in education; a willingness to engage with ASCD; demonstrated effectiveness, drive, vision, and passion for the profession; an alignment with ASCD mission and vision; and a commitment to growing as a servant leader. As a group, each class of emerging leaders demonstrates diversity of perspective, role, experience, location, and demographics.
Once the new class of emerging leaders has been selected, ASCD makes an announcement welcoming the new class to the ASCD community. Emerging leaders are given a press release template to aid in communicating this achievement at the local level.
Emerging leaders will be invited to attend an online orientation session, which covers the expectations for program participants as well as tips for maximizing the program experience. The orientation session will be recorded and archived for those who are unable to attend the live session.
Emerging leaders are then asked to complete an interest inventory, which will help ASCD staff identify mentors, distribute targeted resources, and share information to program participants. With support from ASCD each emerging leader is expected to create and pursue unique leadership pathways at ASCD.
Throughout the program, emerging leaders will
At the conclusion of the program, emerging leaders receive a certificate of completion and a letter of congratulations from ASCD. Emerging Leaders alumni are encouraged to remain involved with ASCD and continue their leadership and influence through formal and informal leadership roles.
Emerging leaders receive
Emerging leaders are expected to (optional activities listed in italics)
Many of the exclusive opportunities ASCD offers to emerging leaders depend on a number of factors and are always changing. The following are a few of the opportunities ASCD has arranged for emerging leaders in the past:
Even though ASCD emerging leaders are encouraged to follow the leadership path that most aligns with their interests, leadership pathways fall into five general categories:
Examples of each leadership pathway are listed below. Learning and leadership action plans may combine several pathways or focus on a single pathway. Please note that some of the opportunities listed below may depend on a separate application or approval process to participate. Although emerging leaders have access to guidance and support from emerging leader coaches, liaisons, and staff, the success of each endeavor cannot be guaranteed.
The Emerging Leaders program is designed to prepare diverse educators for leadership roles in ASCD and its constituent groups. By the conclusion of their participation in the program, ASCD emerging leaders will have at a minimum
Successful nominees will have met the minimum expectations of the program and demonstrated a willingness to lead, serve, and engage with ASCD throughout the program's course. Emerging leaders who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of completion and a letter from ASCD's Executive Director.
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