Emerging Leaders FAQs
Who are ASCD emerging leaders?
Emerging leaders are educators who
- Have been in the profession approximately 5–15 years;
- Demonstrate a passion for teaching, learning, and leadership;
- Have not previously been involved with ASCD in a leadership capacity;
- Collectively exhibit a broad range of diversity in position, location, cultural background, and perspective;
- Hold promise as leaders; and
- Are committed to ASCD's beliefs and to pursuing leadership opportunities.
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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Is there an age limit for Emerging Leaders program participants?
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.
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How do I nominate someone for the Emerging Leaders program?
Nominations for the Emerging Leaders program are open year-round. Self-nominations are accepted. To nominate yourself or a colleague for the Emerging Leaders program, please forward the nominee's name and e-mail address to Constituent Services. Nominees will be notified via e-mail when the online application is available each spring.
There is no limit to the number of nominations an individual can submit. If an individual is nominated several times in a single selection cycle, it will not affect the application process.
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How do I apply for the Emerging Leaders program?
The Emerging Leaders online application is open from February 15 to April 1 each year. The application period will open again in February 2013.
If the application period is not open, you may nominate yourself or a colleague for the program at any time by sending the nominee's name and e-mail address to Constituent Services. The nominee will be notified via e-mail when the online application is available. If an individual is nominated several times in a single selection cycle, it will not affect the application process.
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What are the components of the Emerging Leaders application?
The ASCD Emerging Leaders program application is an online form, and it is recommended 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 the application (PDF) or please have the following information ready before accessing the online form:
Contact Information
- First and last name
- E-mail address
- Work phone number
- Employer name and work address
- Name and e-mail address of nominator or a reference
- Your relationship to nominator or reference
Demographic Information
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Ethnic background
- Years in the education field
- Current role in education
- Type of community served
- How you heard about the Emerging Leaders program
About You
- Employment history
- Past and current professional affiliations
- Awards and accomplishments
- Short essay questions (200 words or fewer per question):
- Please describe a way you demonstrate leadership that engages other educators in the education field. Examples may involve your professional work setting, ASCD-related events, or other organizations.
- ASCD Emerging Leaders are encouraged to follow a leadership path that most aligns with their interests. Leadership paths fall into seven categories: ASCD Programs and Leadership, ASCD Outreach, Policy, Professional Development, Social Media and Online Collaboration, Whole Child, and Writing for ASCD. Please select two leadership pathways that appeal to you and describe why you're interested in them.
- What do you hope to get out of the Emerging Leader program?
- What is one interesting thing about you?
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How are emerging leaders selected?
Anyone can nominate candidates for the Emerging Leaders program. Self-nominations are welcome. Candidates are then invited to complete an application during the months of February and March.
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 and external reviewers who currently hold leadership positions within the organization. All panelists participate in a teleconference to select the finalists. Finalists are forwarded to the executive director for approval.
Each new class of emerging leaders is announced in May.
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How does the Emerging Leaders program work?
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.
Upon acceptance to the Emerging Leaders program, the new class is invited to the first formal activity of the two-year program: the ASCD Leader to Leader (L2L) Conference in July.The registration fee for this event is waived for the incoming class of emerging leaders.
At the L2L Conference, emerging leaders will have the chance to meet one another, ASCD constituent group leaders, and ASCD staff.
After the L2LConference, 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 distribute targeted resources and information to program participants. Depending on emerging leaders' interests, they may be matched with an emerging leader coach or ASCD liaison.
Once matched with a coach or liaison, emerging leaders are asked to complete an emerging leader action plan. Emerging leaders are encouraged to focus on one or two major areas of leadership for each goal within the leadership action plan. With support from ASCD and a coach or liaison, each emerging leader is expected to create and pursue unique leadership pathways at ASCD.
Throughout the program, emerging leaders will
- Become part of a select pool of educators with exclusive access to opportunities to expand their professional reach.
- Receive the Leader to Leader (L2L) newsletter, a monthly e-publication with timely notices and news for ASCD leaders.
- Be encouraged to share news and updates with ASCD staff. News about emerging leaders will be shared via social media and in the L2L newsletter.
- Have the opportunity to connect with local affiliate leadership, if applicable.
- Have the opportunity to participate in activities for emerging leaders at the Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy (LILA), Annual Conference, and the L2L Conference.
- Have access to program updates and resources on the online Young Professional Leaders group on ASCD EDge® social networking platform.
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.
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What sort of exclusive opportunities will I have as an emerging leader?
Many of the exclusive opportunities ASCD offers to emerging leaders depend on a number of factors and are always changing. Here are a few of the opportunities ASCD has arranged for emerging leaders in the past:
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How does the program help emerging leaders grow?
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
- Developed an understanding to advance ASCD’s positions and values.
- Participated in shaping education policy and advocating for the whole child.
- Explored multiple ASCD leadership pathways through formal and informal roles.
- Encouraged others to get involved in ASCD.
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What are the benefits and expectations for emerging leaders?
Benefits
Emerging leaders receive
- A one-year complimentary ASCD Select membership. If a new emerging leader already has an active ASCD membership, the membership is extended for an additional year.
- Complimentary registration to the L2L Conference for first-year participants.
- Reduced registration for the Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy.
- Visibility throughout the ASCD community.
- Various networking opportunities with other emerging leaders, ASCD leaders, and ASCD staff.
Expectations
Emerging leaders are expected to (optional activities listed in italics)
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What is an emerging leader coach?
Depending on emerging leaders' interests, they may be assigned an emerging leader coach. An emerging leader coach creates a personal mentoring relationship with the emerging leader.
An emerging leader coach has been involved with ASCD for two or more years, shares ASCD's mission and beliefs, exhibits leadership in the education profession, currently serves or has served a leadership position in ASCD governance or ASCD affiliates, may have been requested by an emerging leader, and may have indicated an interest in serving as an emerging leader coach.
Emerging leader coaches are expected to
- Commit to a minimum of one year in the program.
- Attend an online orientation session for emerging leader coaches.
- Work with their assigned emerging leader to craft the learning and leadership action plan.
- Communicate regularly with the emerging leader in person and online.
- Join the ASCD EDge social networking platform.
- Join the Young Professional Leaders group on the ASCD EDge social networking platform.
- Become an ASCD Educator Advocate.
- Complete an emerging leaders program evaluation.
Most emerging leader coaches reside in the same geographic region as their assigned emerging leader. Emerging leader coaches are strongly encouraged to attend the Leader to Leader Conference, the Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy, and the ASCD Annual Conference.
Emerging leaders who are not matched with an emerging leader coach are assigned to an ASCD liaison. Although an emerging leader coach is matched with one emerging leader, an ASCD liaison may be matched with several emerging leaders with similar interests. ASCD liaisons may or may not reside in the same geographical region as their assigned emerging leaders; most communication will take place electronically. An ASCD liaison possesses expertise in a specific area of interest, commits to communicating with assigned emerging leaders, provides feedback on each emerging leader's learning and leadership action plan, and seeks and shares opportunities for emerging leaders to get more involved with ASCD.
An emerging leader may request a different coach or liaison at any point of the program by e-mailing Constituent Services.
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What is a learning and leadership action plan?
Emerging leaders are expected to complete a learning and leadership action plan, which is designed to help emerging leaders maximize their program experience and achieve measurable goals throughout the duration of the program.
Emerging leaders may use the Emerging Leader Learning and Leadership Action Plan Template (PDF) or create a plan in the format of their choosing. Emerging leaders are encouraged to create up to four achievable goals that align with one or two leadership pathways. A copy of the completed learning and leadership agreement is sent to Constituent Services.
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What leadership pathways are available to emerging leaders?
Even though ASCD emerging leaders are encouraged to follow the leadership path that most aligns with their interests, leadership pathways fall into seven general categories:
- ASCD Programs and Leadership
- ASCD Outreach
- Policy
- Professional Development
- Social Media and Online Collaboration
- Whole Child
- Writing for ASCD
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.
ASCD Programs and Leadership
ASCD Outreach
Policy
Professional Development
- Facilitating or assisting with ASCD professional development opportunities.
- Presenting at ASCD's Annual Conference.
- Presenting at other ASCD events.
- Piloting or evaluating ASCD products.
Social Media and Online Collaboration
- Participating in or presenting a web seminar.
- Creating and maintaining your own blog on ASCD EDge.
- Creating and facilitating your own interest or discussion group on ASCD EDge.
- Facilitating online conversations with your fellow emerging leaders.
Whole Child
Writing for ASCD
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