Announcement

Q&A with Dr. Susan Enfield, UW CEL’s New Executive Director

Q: What initially drew you to education? Dr. Enfield: I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. From as early as age 7, I was “teaching” my stuffed animals and dolls. By the time I became a high school English teacher, I knew I was doing what I was put on...

Welcoming Dr. Susan Enfield as CEL’s Next Executive Director

We are excited to share that Dr. Susan Enfield will be joining the team at the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) as our new Executive Director. A respected and visionary leader, Susan brings deep expertise in educational leadership, a...

The Power of Rural Leaders: Building Schools Where Students Thrive

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...

Finding Inspiration During These Turbulent Times

We recognize that educators are leading through unprecedented challenges. Our hearts are heavy for the students, educators, families, and communities who have been impacted by the recent executive orders around immigration, equity, transgender rights, and more. We believe as firmly as ever that every student has the right to rigorous learning environments, schools where their agency is elevated, and classrooms where they belong and are respected.

Recent Posts

From Observation to Action: What Leaders Learn by Seeing School Through Students’ Eyes

When I was a superintendent, one of the most meaningful things my cabinet and I did was spend a day shadowing students. Following them from class to class gave me a perspective that I could not get from reports or test scores. It showed me what school really felt like for them. Sometimes what I saw was hard to take in, and other times it was inspiring, but it always helped me understand how our schools were working, or not, for every student. Now, as CEL’s Executive Director, I am proud to lead an organization that believes strongly in the power of students’ voices. At CEL, we help leaders slow down, listen to students, and see school through their eyes.

Q&A with Dr. Susan Enfield, UW CEL’s New Executive Director

Q: What initially drew you to education? Dr. Enfield: I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. From as early as age 7, I was “teaching” my stuffed animals and dolls. By the time I became a high school English teacher, I knew I was doing what I was put on...

The Essential Role of Coaches in Advancing Instructional Leadership

Instructional leadership is not a solo endeavor—it is a collective effort that thrives on collaboration between school leaders and instructional coaches. While principals and district leaders set the vision for high-quality teaching and learning, instructional coaches...

5 Tips for Classroom Observing: An Educational Leader’s Guide

For over two decades, the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) has partnered with educational leaders across the country who are observing teaching and learning in classrooms. We see time and again that effective classroom observations can...

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