Filling the Leadership Gap: Empowering the Next Generation of School Leaders

Published on October 17, 2024

About the Event:

This event was presented on October 16, 2024 featuring a panel of alumni leaders and subject matter experts to discuss the importance of school leadership on school culture, student outcomes and success, and why we need to empower our next generation of leaders now more than ever for the future of the profession. Our panelists included:

  • Dr. Mary Grassa O’Neill, Senior Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
  • Hilary Lewis (GNO, ‘01) , Vice President of Alumni Program & Leadership Experiences at Teach For America
  • Dr. Colette Young is the Assistant Director for the Summer Principals Academy at Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Tomi Okuyemi (NY ‘10), Elementary School Principal at Growing Up Green Charter Schools and the co-founder of the Public & Charter School Job Fair for Teachers of Color
  • Dr. George Daniel Galindo (RGV ‘12), Success Leader for Great Minds and assistant adjunct professor with Columbia University

       

 

Featured Resources:

 

Summer Principals Academy at Teachers College, Columbia University

The Summer Principals Academy is a transformative graduate program committed to developing school leaders and promoting equity and excellence in education through an enriching, hands-on curriculum and administrative internships. Our rich, adaptive cohort learning environment allows you to earn your M.A. or Ed.M. over two consecutive five-week summer sessions while continuing to work in your current position. We also have a sister program in New Orleans. 

The priority application deadline for the M.A. and Ed.M. admission is January 15, 2025. Final deadline is April 1, 2025. 

TFA Alumni Benefits 

Through our partnership with Teach for America, SPA provides a range of support for TFA alumni as they navigate the application process.  

  • Application fee waivers to current and past TFA members 
  • Opportunities to participate in dedicated application workshops individually or  in a group setting. Sign up here.
  • One-on-one meetings with the Assistant Director at a time convenient for you.  Sign up here.

SPAs many events can be found here

  • Monday, November 4 at 5:00 PM EST Application Party
  • Friday, November 8 at 3:30 PM EST Prospective Student Virtual Information Session

Application Workshops Webinars: These sessions, sponsored by the admissions department, aim to guide and demystify the graduate school application process by offering insights into admissions, financial aid, and crafting compelling applications. Participants will explore best practices for creating impactful graduate applications, with a particular focus on writing a strong statement of purpose. Registrants will leave with valuable skills and knowledge preparing them for the graduate school application process more broadly.

  • Tuesday, November 12 at 7:30 PM EST Admissions Virtual Information Session 
  • Friday, November 22 at 12:30 PM EST Financial Aid Virtual Information Session 

Education Leadership Doctoral Degree Programs

We encourage you to also explore the following programs: 

Questions?  

We’re happy to help. Please reach out to Dr. Colette Young, Assistant Director|NYC, at  cy2288@tc.columbia.edu.

 

About HGSE:

The mission of the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is to prepare education leaders and innovators who will change the world by expanding opportunities and outcomes for learners everywhere. HGSE offers five distinct residential Ed.M. programs as well as a part-time, online Ed.M. that can accelerate your career and help scale your impact. Designed for aspiring school leaders, our Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship program provides opportunities to develop critical skills while obtaining principal licensure.  

With exceptional faculty mentors, highly personalized learning plans, a lifelong network of innovative colleagues and friends, and a deep commitment to social justice, HGSE helps students pursue ambitious goals and establish a rewarding and successful career in education. 

The application deadline for Ed.M. admission is January 5th, 2025.  

TFA Alumni Benefits
Through our partnership with Teach for America, HGSE provides a range of support for TFA alumni as they navigate the application process.  

  • Application fee waivers to HGSE’s Ed.M. programs 
  • Priority consideration for Leadership in Education Scholarship (for Ed.M.) 
  • Opportunities to participate in dedicated application workshops and one-on-one meetings with admissions officers  

To ensure you receive the full benefits available to TFA alumni, please complete this brief Partnership Referral Form.  

Application Support for TFA Alumni
HGSE’s many public events can be found here. Below please find opportunities offered specifically for HGSE partners:  

  • Ed.M. Application Best Practices and SOP Workshops: This session seeks to demystify the graduate school application process by exploring best practices for crafting an impactful graduate application, with a particular focus on how to write a strong statement of purpose. Registrants will leave this session with skills and knowledge that will not only be relevant to the HGSE application, but also to the graduate school application process more broadly.  
  • Tuesday, November 12, 6 – 7pm ET 
  • One-on-One Virtual Appointments (Ed.M. only): If you are considering applying to our Ed.M. programs and are interested in learning more about Ed.M. degree programs and/or admissions process at HGSE, you are welcome to sign up for one 20-minute virtual appointment to speak with an admissions representative. Register Here 
  • Small Groups Sessions for Doctoral Applicants: Small group sessions are designed to provide prospective Harvard Graduate School of Education applicants with information about the school, academic programs, student life, and the application process. 
  • Ed.L.D. Small Group 
  • Thursday, October 31, 2-3pm ET  
  • Ph.D. Small Group 
  • Thursday, October 24, 4-5pm ET 
  • Ask Us Anything: This is designed to be an informal Q&A session and will be most beneficial for those who have more or less decided on a program of interest and have some familiarity with the admissions process, but may have still some lingering questions they’d like addressed. There is no formal presentation, so please join anytime during the scheduled period with your questions. Monday, November 18, 12 –1pm ET 

HGSE Resources
As you consider opportunities at HGSE, we encourage you to explore the following resources: 

Questions?
We’re happy to help. Please reach out to Jackie Spencer, Assistant Director of Admissions, at askjackies@gse.harvard.edu.

 

About the Panelists:

Dr. Mary Grassa O’Neill (she/her/hers) is a Senior Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she leads the Ed.M. School Leadership Pathway and the Online Certificate in School Management and Leadership, a collaboration with Harvard Business School. She has served as the Superintendent for the Archdiocese of Boston and Milton Public Schools, as well as a Principal in Boston Public Schools, where she brought the Timilty Middle School in Roxbury from the bottom quartile to the top quartile in student achievement.  Mary has also co-created courses focusing on race, equity, and leadership, and she continues to shape education through her work at HGSE and her contributions to various education boards.
mary_oneill@gse.harvard.edu | View Profile | Harvard Graduate School of Education

Hilary Lewis (she/her/hers) is a 2001 Greater New Orleans alumnae who taught Kindergarten and First Grade at Langston Hughes Elementary and is currently the Vice President of Alumni Program and Leadership Experiences at TFA.  Prior to her corps experience, she graduated from American University with a degree in International Relations and Environmental Policy.  After teaching, she joined TFA staff as a recruiter, and then returned to classroom teaching in Gary, Indiana in 2006. She quickly became an administrator and ultimately the principal of West Gary Lighthouse Charter School. Since leaving her school in 2010, Hilary has led TFA’s national work supporting alumni who lead schools and systems of schools across the country. She also served as the Board chair of Steel City Academy, a stand-alone charter started with many of her former Lighthouse colleagues in Gary.  She is now based in Providence, Rhode Island where she lives with husband Nolan and two children, Willa and Harmon.
hilary.lewis@teachforamerica.org | View Profile 

Dr. Colette Young (she/her/hers) is the Assistant Director for the Summer Principals Academy and adjunct professor of music education at Teachers College, Columbia University. With over a decade of experience in education, Dr. Young has held roles such as Dean of Students and Athletics Director at Columbia Secondary School, a select public school in partnership with Columbia University. She is also an Executive Function Consultant and has led initiatives focused on inclusion, awareness, and leadership development. Her research areas focus on leadership, interdisciplinary education, and STEAM education.
cy2288@tc.columbia.edu | 212-870-8605 (call/text) | View Profile | Columbia University Teachers College- Summer Principals Academy New York City & New Orleans

Tomi Okuyemi (NY ‘10, she/her/hers) is the Elementary School Principal at Growing Up Green Charter Schools and the co-founder of the Public & Charter School Job Fair for Teachers of Color, an annual event connecting diverse educators with schools in New York City. With over a decade of experience in education, Tomi has held leadership roles at Prospect Schools and Boston Public Schools, focusing on instructional leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion. With years of experience in shaping school cultures, Tomi will share real world examples of overcoming leadership barriers and navigating the path to leadership positions.
View Profile | Growing Up Green Charter Schools

Dr. George Daniel Galindo (RGV ‘12) is a Success Leader for Great Minds, where he partners with school districts across the southern United States to support strong curricular implementation. A former Teach For America corps member, Dr. Galindo has over a decade of experience in education, including roles such as English Pre-AP teacher and Sr. Secondary ELA Curriculum Manager at IDEA Public Schools. He holds a Doctorate of Education from Baylor University, with research focusing on high-quality instructional materials and their impact on student achievement and serves as an assistant adjunct professor with Teachers College, Columbia University.
gdg2120@tc.columbia.edu | Teachers College, Columbia University