Community School Leaders: The Role of the Principal

We all know that principals are essential to the long-term success and impact of community schools. But are effective CS principals born, or made (or is it a little of both)? What are the skills, capacities, and dispositions it takes for community school principals to be effective in their role? On May 14th, CSLX will answer these questions and more as we dig into the unique role and requirements of community school principals.

Designed for principals and school leaders at the forefront of community school efforts, this interactive session offers practical, action-oriented support for site-based leaders. You’ll explore strategies for guiding school teams, advancing long-term planning, and cultivating shared leadership. You’ll learn best practices for reimagining how we “do school,” emphasizing that a community school is not a program, but a transformative strategy. And, you’ll examine the necessary mindset and structural shifts that are key to driving lasting school transformation. Key topics such as inclusive decision-making and meaningful educational partner engagement will be explored through the lens of school leadership.

CSLX coaches Cristina Patricio and Melissa Mitchell will take participants through a learning experience aimed at helping you:

• Situate principals within the CS development ecosystem;

• Cultivate a nuanced perspective on the distinct practices of community school principals, with attention to how their roles diverge from those of traditional school leaders;

• Learn about the skills, capacities and dispositions necessary for CS principals to be effective in their work;

• Explore proven, ready-to-use strategies that CS principals can use to bolster their existing skills, build new capacities, and strengthen community school implementation in their schools and districts.

Note: This session will be highly interactive. To ensure that you’ll get the most out of the session, you'll be expected to review and reflect on a small number of materials you will receive prior to the workshop.

Date

Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Location

Community School Leaders: The Role of the Community School Principal is a 100% virtual event. Registered participants will receive the pre-workshop materials, and instructions to join the workshop via Zoom, prior to the event.