Emerging Leaders FAQ
Who are ASCD emerging leaders?
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. All emerging leaders review ASCD's annual report to establish understanding of our mission and goals, attend the ASCD Leader to Leader (L2L) Event, participate in a mentorship program, and engage in a two-year program of activities.
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How are emerging leaders selected?
ASCD leaders, members, and others are invited to nominate one candidate annually for the Emerging Leaders Program. Self-nominations are welcomed. Candidates are then invited to complete an application. Completed applications are scored by reviewers trained to use a rubric focused on the program goals. All reviewers participate in a teleconference to select the finalists. Finalists are forwarded to the Executive Director for approval. The new class of emerging leaders will be announced in March.
To nominate an emerging leader, please forward your nominee's name and contact information, including an e-mail address, to Constituent Services.
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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. The following indicators of movement range from emerging to leadership status:
- Reflective practitioner, grounded in ASCD values: demonstrates a passion for teaching, learning, and leadership.
- Association interest: demonstrates ethical behavior and commitment to the greater good.
- Leadership and fellowship: demonstrates engagement in ASCD's work in both formal and informal roles.
- Collaboration and inclusion: demonstrates highly developed communication skills and is able to shape policy and advocate.
- Diverse and worldwide: demonstrates deep understanding of ASCD's positions and values.
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What are the program components?
Each emerging leader is matched with an ASCD leader who volunteers to create a personal mentoring relationship and act as a coach. The coaches participate in training to understand their roles, establish an understanding of ASCD's mission and goals, and engage in ongoing communication with the emerging leaders. Each coach and emerging leader pair develop a learning and leadership agreement that establishes a plan for leadership engagement. An ASCD staff person serves as liaison to support the emerging leader and coach.
The first formal activity of the two-year program occurs at the annual ASCD Leader to Leader (L2) Event. The event
- Builds the capacity of ASCD's leadership to better serve their constituents and members and to grow as individual leaders;
- Better enables ASCD's leaders to promote and advocate for ASCD's initiatives; and
- Engages the association's various constituents with each other, the ASCD membership, and the broader education community.
Emerging leaders and coaches have access to an online community on the ASCD Leader2Leader Ning that provides program support and serves as a vehicle for learning and reflection. Face-to-face and electronic communication is highlighted by the program activities.
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What is a leadership and learning agreement?
Each coach and emerging leader pair develops a learning and leadership agreement that establishes a plan for leadership development. The agreement includes the following five component areas:
- leadership focus
- action steps
- resources
- communication
- evaluation
Examples of leadership options, or pathways, and involvement in ASCD include
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