Emerging Leaders Fellowship

Please find the Emerging Leaders Fellowship application here.

Please note that:

• Identifying information will be removed and the Application Review committee will score each anonymous application
• Selection of the best qualified candidates will be based on the merits of the anonymous applications
• Each applicant will be informed by email of the outcome of his or her submission

For additional information on the Emerging Leaders Fellowship, please contact Cheryl Johnson Watts, PACSP Director, c.watts@pacharters.org.

The target profile of Fellowship participants will be individuals identified by board members and current leaders as being on the verge of progressing into a leadership role.

Candidates must receive an endorsement from the current school leader and their board chair and will be asked to complete a brief application that explores their interest in the program and asks them to indicate the areas in which they’d like to grow professionally prior to embarking on a leadership journey.

Priority will be given to aspiring leaders within PACSP subgrantee schools.

It’s anticipated that the Fellowship will consist of six modules, each of which will be aligned to a key charter school leadership domain. Participants will likely meet every six weeks — three times in the fall and three times in the spring.

Two modules will likely take place in person and will include school visits. The other four training courses will likely occur virtually.

Fellows will be expected to attend the PCPCS Annual Conference. Travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate’s charter school.

Specifically tailored for the Pennsylvania charter school context, the Fellowship will help prospective leaders navigate the full breadth of issues they are likely to encounter in their capacity as lead administrators.

Charter school leadership is distinct in that it often encompasses responsibilities associated with district superintendents in addition to traditional public school building leaders. Accordingly, Fellowship content will cover an array of topics rather than being confined strictly to either instructional or operational leadership.

Depending on participant need, modules may include:

• Board and Authorizer Relations
• Data Use
• Adult Culture
• External Accountability
• Instructional Leadership
• Family and Community Engagement
• Staff Recruitment and Development
• School Finance

Yes. As part of the Fellowship, each fellow will be paired with a mentor that closely aligns with their needs and goals. The mentor will be a current successful charter school operator and will support the fellow in the following manner:

• Help participants identify and achieve career development and personal growth goals that support innovative educational practices and opportunities for all students
• Reinforce a strong team of school leaders who have the knowledge, skills and abilities to support one another and enhance the educational community throughout Pennsylvania
• Promote high levels of partnership, engagement, and the development of best practices
• Support participants with the resources and a framework to perform to their highest capability
• Create opportunities to meet and partner with others throughout the PCPCS community

View our current mentors here.

No. The Fellowship is tuition-free.

Click here to download an information sheet on the Emerging Leaders Fellowship.