We at UW CEL are excited to announce the launch of the Aspiring Leaders Project, a new three-year initiative supported by a generous grant from College Spark Washington. We’re partnering with Educational Service Districts (ESDs) to ensure that rural communities have the school leaders their students need to be happy and proud at school.
Strengthening Leadership in Rural Communities
Through the project, CEL is providing professional learning for cohorts of 70 aspiring leaders in rural communities including teacher leaders, assistant principals, early-career principals, and the central office leaders who support them. These leaders will gain skills to foster positive school cultures and elevate student experiences.
By collaborating with regional education offices, we aim to strengthen the community of leaders by joining together to solve common problems of practice. This work centers students, advances impact-driven instructional leadership, and builds sustainable systems for preparing future school leaders.
Collaborative Partnerships for Growth
Collaborating with ESD 105 and ESD 189, CEL is working with seven rural districts in Washington state to support leadership development tailored to the unique needs of rural schools.
Fredrika Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning for ESD 189, highlighted the importance of designing learning experiences that reflect rural realities: “Creating applicable and high impact learning opportunities specifically tailored to rural circumstances is imperative if we want to bridge the gap of opportunity and access.”
Max Silverman, Executive Director of UW CEL, emphasized the value of partnering with these two ESDs in particular:
“We’re honored to partner with ESD 105 and ESD 189 to prepare leaders to lead the types of schools that students need to be happy and proud, schools where students’ status, agency, and belonging are front and center in all that leaders do.”
Supporting Leaders to Create Positive School Cultures
Participants in the Aspiring Leaders Project engage in two years of professional learning focused around student belonging and agency and instructional leadership.
In the first year, leaders learn how to understand student experiences directly from students—particularly those furthest from success—and create a vision for a collaborative and supportive school environment. The second year focuses on observing teaching and learning, taking an inquiry stance, and providing strengths-based feedback to teachers. Throughout the program, participants receive coaching and mentorship to help them implement and sustain meaningful changes.
Sara Crowston, K-12 Math Coordinator at Highland School District, has already seen the impact:
“The greatest impact the Aspiring Leaders project has had on our district is a shift in how we think about including students who we don’t typically hear from in our decision-making and school improvement. Personally, I now start my problem-solving process by saying, ‘I wonder what students think?’”
Her approach has led to initiatives like a student-led math council, fostering deeper student engagement and stronger classroom relationships.
Sustaining Leadership Growth in Rural Districts
Assistant Superintendent Alicia Jacob of ESD 105 highlighted the value of this work:
“Having opportunities for leadership to grow and make changes to systems based on student voice is so powerful. We are fortunate that funding from College Spark has allowed districts to start and continue their learning journey. This work is lifting the voices of students, and importantly, perspectives that typically are not heard nor requested!”
Smith expressed her hope for leader learning and growth through this project:
“With intentional learning around the impact of student voice, our leaders will further develop the practices to personalize their educational spaces. We are surrounded by talented leaders who thrive on high quality support and time with their colleagues; the work with the UW Center for Educational Leadership is the perfect fit for their professional learning trajectory.”
Elevating Educator Professional Learning
The Aspiring Leaders Project is about more than immediate professional learning—it’s about building sustainable leadership systems that foster student belonging and success. CEL is developing tools and guidance to support ESDs statewide in preparing leaders who reflect and serve their communities.
Through this partnership with College Spark and rural ESDs, CEL is proud to support a new generation of leaders dedicated to elevating student experiences–especially of those furthest from success–and strengthening instructional leadership, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Learn more about how CEL can support leaders in your school system.
“This project is an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between ESDs and across rural communities, breaking down barriers to foster the spread of great ideas across Washington state.” — Max Silverman, Executive Director, UW CEL
