We are committed to engaging a diverse community and building capacity to improve learning, teaching, and leadership. In its quest to build capacity, ASCD has designed the Emerging Leaders Program to prepare younger, diverse educators for potential influence and ASCD leadership. A new cadre of emerging leaders will be selected annually.

This leadership program equips new leaders to

• Advance ASCD positions.
• Strengthen ASCD's voice for influencing policy and practice.
• Become involved in ASCD governance.
• Explore multiple pathways toward ASCD leadership.

Emerging leaders are educators who have been in the profession approximately 5–15 years, hold promise as leaders, and are committed to ASCD's beliefs and to fulfilling leadership opportunities. ASCD leaders, members, and others are invited to nominate one candidate annually. Self-nominations are welcomed. Learn more about this program.

Meet an ASCD Emerging Leader: Peter Badalament

Peter Badalament, a high school principal from Concord, Mass., and a member of ASCD's Emerging Leader Class of 2005, shares his thoughts on the benefits of his participation in the program and involvement with ASCD.