Leadership Fellows Program

Oct 27, 2023 6:00PM—Oct 29, 2023 12:00PM

Cost $4,500 members; $6,750 non-members

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Leadership Fellows Program

 

RETREAT: October 27 - 29, 2023  at Santa Barbara Inn

SESSION 1: December 8, 2023 | 10:00am - 12:00pm | Virtual

SESSION 2: January 12, 2024 | 10:00am - 3:00pm | Hotel Amarano in Burbank, CA

COACHING SESSION: Virtual

SESSION 3: March 15, 2024 | 10:00am - 3:00pm | Bay School of San Francisco

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

All applications are due by October 2nd!

The job of an independent school leader can be complicated and rewarding–and on some days, it’s pretty darn tough. Often working directly with many constituent groups, school leaders require a myriad of interpersonal and professional skills in order to lead, to collaborate effectively, and to have impact. With an ever-more complicated world landscape, it’s essential to not only be an effective leader but also make the work joyful and sustainable by better knowing oneself and the needs of the position. 

This Fellowship for experienced educators from throughout California supports the unique demands of independent school leaders—the only program of its kind in the state! Facilitated by two Heads of School (one former and one current), the Leadership Fellows Program offers time for personal reflection on one’s leadership journey, practical knowledge and skill development specifically targeted to independent school leadership, as well as supportive professional connections.

The program opens with a retreat in Santa Barbara designed to allow the cohort to connect and reflect as well as engage in sessions designed to hone leadership capacities. Other sessions might include case studies, problem-based discussions, and activities that will challenge participants to reflect on their roles and encourage the development of their skills in their schools or for next steps in their careers.

Goals:

  • To provide experienced preK-12 leaders with the knowledge, skills, and resources important for senior level leadership;
  • To provide time and space to “see oneself” clearly and reflect on where each person is–uniquely–in their leadership journey;
  • To address topics such as leadership EQ, communication, team building, systems thinking, strategic planning, and organizational health;
  • To develop and strengthen relationships and networks of support among school leaders.

CATDC is delighted to structure Leadership Fellows in a hybrid model: with an overnight retreat in Santa Barbara, one virtual cohort check in, one visit to a cohort member’s school (individuals to visit a local colleague’s school), and two day-long sessions, one in Northern and one in Southern California. In addition, participants will have the opportunity for a virtual individual mentoring session with the facilitators.

AUDIENCE

Individuals who are or aspire to be senior leaders and/or heads of school. Preferably individuals with five years experience in a leadership capacity in academic roles (academic deans, division directors or deans of curriculum/teaching and learning, dei) or non-academic ones (admissions, development, communications, or business office).

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS

CATDC and our host schools will be working together to do all we can to ensure your health and safety during our in-person session, monitoring closely nationwide, state, and local updates and recommendations. We ask that you do not attend if you are infected with Covid, have Covid symptoms, or have had close contact with someone who is infected in the last 10 days.

Starting February 2023, we will no longer check vaccination status at the first session of our workshops, but we strongly encourage all CATDC participants to be fully vaccinated.

Given the nature of our in-person programs which gather individuals together from a variety of schools and regions, CATDC may also require or strongly recommend masking indoors and/or testing on a program-by-program basis.  Any updated recommendations or requirements will be communicated to participants in a timely fashion prior to a program or session.   All Covid-related refund requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Thank you for your understanding and your cooperation.

Testimonials

Leadership fellows is honestly the best kept secret in terms of professional development for headship. I was privileged to be a part of the second cohort of this group and the relationships formed there and the coaching I received are why I am able to confidently serve as a head of school now. I continue to lean on those connections and feel fully supported even now – I can’t speak highly enough of this opportunity and encourage everyone interested in serving as a head to make the commitment!

I had no idea how much I would learn from my cohort group, and how bonded we would become during this process. The role playing was incredibly helpful, and all the guest speakers brought excellent (and differing) perspectives to the conversation.

I loved that the group was coming from different types of schools (sizes, grades, etc.). Building those bonds is what is the most important to me! The program leaders are both invested and extremely knowledgeable.

I appreciated knowing that not everyone in the program wants to be a director, that there are other ways to lead. Also, It was reaffirming to hear that other schools are having the same issues as mine, and seeing perspectives from other departments was extremely helpful and opened my eyes to some other job opportunities.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Enrollment in this program is limited and by application only.  Requirements for consideration of admission to this program include: 

  • Application submission: Priority applications are due July 15 with our first round of participants announced early August. All applications are due by October 2nd. Please find our application form here.
  • A $500 program deposit to be submitted via Eventbrite, refunded if you are not accepted.

FACILITATORS

Phil Gutierrez headshot

Phil Gutierrez is the Head of School at Marin Primary & Middle School in Larkspur, CA. Before MP&MS, he was the Head of School at Mid-Peninsula High School in Menlo Park, CA. Prior to headship, Phil worked at The Branson School in Ross, CA for 22 years, first as an English teacher and then in a variety of administrative roles, including class dean, Director of Admission, and Assistant Head of School for Advancement and External Affairs. Phil currently serves on the boards of CATDC, CAIS, and Live Oak School, and he previously served on the Mark Day School board. He is also on the faculty of the NAIS School Leadership Institute in Washington DC. Phil holds his B.A. in English, with a minor in Spanish, from U.C. Berkeley and his M.A. from Stanford. His wife, Robbie, works at Marin Academy. Their daughter is in college; their son will start college in the fall of 2023. Phil loves to play the guitar, read, and entertain the family's black Labrador retriever.

CrystalLandupdated

Crystal Land (she/her) is currently a Senior Associate for Leadership + Design. Crystal has spent her career leading and teaching in independent schools. Following 30 years at the Head-Royce School in Oakland, California, Crystal recently retired as the Head of School where she previously served in a variety of roles from Assistant Head of School and Admissions Director to English teacher. Crystal studies and applies the best practices in authentic and effective leadership and thrives on mentoring others. She has designed and facilitated workshops for school leaders in the Bay Area and nationwide on topics including strategic planning, developing capacity and collaboration in leadership teams, school governance and conflict resolution. Crystal currently serves on the board of directors of CATDC and is involved in supporting first generation college students through the Oakland Promise and the Heads Up program. She holds a M.A. in English from Middlebury College, a M.A. in Education from Stanford University and a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley in English and Political Science. Crystal and her husband, Will Miller, live in the Bay Area and are parents of two thriving adult children and one adored Goldendoodle.

Cancellation Policy

Life happens. We understand that there will be times when you cannot attend a workshop that you have registered and paid for. We strive to be as helpful and flexible as possible when things out of your control happen. Please visit our FAQ page for detailed information about our cancellation policy and answers to frequently asked questions about enrollment and membership.