L.I.S.D. Selects Participants for Aspiring Leaders Academy

Lufkin ISD has selected participants for the first year of the Aspiring Leaders Academy. The Lufkin ISD Aspiring Leaders Academy is a content-focused, professional development program for teachers and instructional coaches to develop knowledge and skills to grow professionally as leaders on their campuses and in the district.

According to a release from LISD, the academy will include monthly seminars led by campus/district leaders covering topics related to instructional leadership, special services, discipline management, professional/digital learning, financial oversight, human resources, and support services. The participants are teachers or instructional coaches who were chosen from an application process that included a series of questions, a written essay and input from their administrators.

Some of the activities will include: mentorship opportunities, networking and leadership talks featuring community and business leaders, shadow current campus leaders and district administrators, participate in reflective reading assignments, engage in dialogue with district level personnel for collaboration and networking, participate in on-line learning experiences, and discuss case studies.

Participants will do a group project over the course of the year that will include a relevant topic for the school district. The group will meet monthly through the end of the school year. Mrs. Barbara Lazarine, the Executive Director of Primary and Elementary Instruction and Dr. Anthony Sorola, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services will be coordinating the academy.

Dr. Sorola, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, said, “I see this academy as the creation of a close-knit learning community. It gives teachers and instructional coaches who have gone above and beyond in the classroom as educators the opportunity to convene with administrators and business leaders to collaborate and refine their leadership skills.”

Sorola went on to say, “Some of the activities will include a literature study and presentations by guest speakers. These speakers will not only include those from the education field but also in the community and business industry.”

The next session takes place today, Monday, November 14 from 2 to 5 p.m.  Dr. Janet Tareilo from Stephen F. Austin State University is partnering with the district to offer this session entitled “Developing Leadership Capacity and Personal Growth.”  Dr. Tareilo is a former Lufkin ISD principal and Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at SFA.

Members of the Aspiring Leaders Academy include: