The educational landscape is constantly evolving, from the emergence of new technology to evolving policies to changing student needs. It’s enough to make even the most passionate leader feel overwhelmed and isolated.
No leader should face the ever-changing educational landscape alone. This is where the power of collective leadership comes in. Networks like the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools (League) offer a lifeline. The League isn’t just a network; it’s a supportive community where the most forward-thinking leaders collaborate to navigate the complexities of education today.
For more than a decade, the League has been a beacon of collaboration. It dismantles the silos isolating school districts, fostering a vibrant environment where innovative solutions and groundbreaking ideas flourish. Together, League members tackle education’s multifaceted challenges, with a collective commitment to driving positive change.
League superintendents kicked off the convening through a special superintendents’ only session. They built connections with new members, discussed shared challenges and learnings, and laid the foundation for the days ahead.
This collaborative spirit comes alive at the League’s biannual convenings. These convenings are not your typical conference; rather, they are launching pads for real-world action.
The recent convening in New York City exemplified this spirit perfectly. From March 18-21, 2024, more than 300 passionate educators and leaders united in New York, New York, for our 20th biannual League convening, cohosted by long-time League member district Mineola Public Schools (New York) to share, learn, and co-create a better future for education for learners everywhere.
Interactive workshops and presentations showcased the cutting-edge work of more than 30 member districts. Site visits to Mineola’s schools offered a glimpse into groundbreaking practices in action, sparking countless conversations and ideas for adaptation in other districts. Perhaps most importantly, new connections were forged with our newest League leaders, and existing bonds deepened. Our leaders left the convening feeling energized, inspired, and equipped with a network of support that they can rely on as they champion innovative teaching and learning practices in their own districts and communities.
Are you a League member who missed out on the convening, or are you an education leader interested in learning more about these special events? Read on for key takeaways from our time in the Big Apple.
Convenings are a great opportunity for League members to build connections beyond their time together. Leaders are encouraged to swap contact information so that they always have someone to call or text when they need support or are looking for collaboration.
The recent convening showcased the impressive scale of the League’s network, proving that collaboration is a powerful force in education:
Learnings from convenings are brought to life via our site visits. For the League 2024 Convening in New York, New York, attendees selected one of 10 themed “tracks” to follow and experienced innovative practices in classrooms across Mineola Public Schools.
Throughout the League-led breakout sessions, key themes emerged around the shared challenges that districts around the country are facing. Presenting League leaders shone a spotlight on the innovative ways that they are addressing these challenges to best meet the unique needs and experiences of their learners, educators, and community.
League representatives from Digital Promise’s AI Working Group – which is focusing on the development of acceptable use policies for districts – spoke to the importance of AI literacy, including understanding what AI tools are capable of and what they’re not. Keeping “humans in the loop” (especially students and the broader community), empowering educators around the use of AI through professional learning, and being mindful of the bias and equity concerns that AI can pose are all considerations that are front of mind for these leaders.
The ever-evolving workforce – and what this means for how we prepare students to meet its emerging needs – was also a common topic of discussion. Leveraging the “RIASEC model” – which puts students at the center and gives everyone in the school building a common language – to promote progressive career pathways for students; incorporating proficiency-based learning and flexible pathways; and developing cybersecurity training programs that are accessible to all students are just a few of the ways that League districts are preparing students for their future careers.
Several other leaders spoke to initiatives from their districts that are supporting the overall health and well-being of their students and school communities. From forming strategic community partnerships to creating school-based mental health clinics to fostering student well-being while preparing students for a changing workforce, finding innovative, effective ways to support the holistic health of students is a key priority for many League districts.
Convening attendees participated in one and a half days of interactive learning sessions which explored some of the most pressing challenges in education today. More than 60 League leaders facilitated or participated in these sessions.
While the site visits and breakout sessions left us inspired, the true magic was found in the connections made. In the conversations on the train, over a meal, during and between sessions, and visiting Mineola’s schools, our leaders found and strengthened shared purpose, support, and potential collaborations. In these encounters and lasting connections, we will lay the groundwork for meaningful change.
Are you a current League member? Build on the momentum from the convening by tapping into our unique engagement opportunities, available exclusively to League members:
Are you an education leader interested in learning more about the League? Explore the power that exists in this innovative network by considering membership.
