By Erik Ellefsen, Director of Networks and Improvement
In Jon Eckert’s video on Catalytic Leadership, he makes the important point that this type of sustainable leadership is his greatest hope for our work as educators in schools. He states that a catalyst:
- Is about the good work,
- Accelerates the good work, and
- Speeds up that good work without being used up.
You can watch the video here to get a taste of how schools are changing the way they think about leadership.
Over the past few years, we’ve found colleagues who embrace this sustainable leadership approach and are doing good work in education. We have asked them to help us accelerate the good work we get to be a part of in schools across the country, and around the world. I would like to introduce you to the 2022-23 Baylor Center for School Leadership Fellows who have joined with us and will play a vital role as catalysts in the year ahead. You can look forward to hearing from them across multiple BCSL platforms with practical and inspirational insight on how they have applied a catalytic leadership approach.
Let me introduce these gifted educators…
Kevin Broene is an award-winning athletic director and educator who set out to rethink athletic coaching in schools to bring about better character and wellbeing outcomes for student-athletes. Schools in 12 states and 48 school systems are making dramatic shifts to their coaching practices this year through his Grit Leadership evaluation software, training programs, and practical experiences. Kevin will be partnering with Baylor’s Faith and Sports Institute to continue the rethinking of “What is a Coach?” during a Virtual Institute on October 28. Follow him on Twitter @ea_grit.
Jenny Brady is life-long educator who went from being a classroom teacher to an internationally recognized leader in diversity and inclusion work that has helped schools develop and implement initiatives with the overall goal of Biblical unity. Her work allows her to express her passion for Biblical diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion while combining her personal experience of growing up in Honduras. Jenny is a co-founder of the Christian Educators Diversity Alliance and is leading Virtual Leadership Networks for us with Christian leaders from the US, Canada, and England.
Joel Hazard is in his seventeenth year as an educator who has a passion for school leadership, curriculum development, and is a champion of diversity within school leadership. His efforts focus on professional development, curricular enhancements, and the creation of a learning environment that is biblically inclusive, and culturally proficient in preparing students to thrive in a globally connected world. Joel is also a co-founder of the Christian Educators Diversity Alliance, and he is leading the development of our Black Male Christian Educators and Emerging Leaders networks.
Chris Hobbs is a passionate educator who has jumped from our Advisory Board into the direct work of the Center as he seeks to continue to impact students through leadership in schools. Chris was formerly an Athletic Director in Florida before taking a new role as Director of Institutional Advancement in Houston. During his time as an athletic director, he was named a Top 40 Under 40 Sports Leader by Coach and AD magazine and the National High School AD of the Year by BSN – Varsity Brands. As a blogger, podcast guest, and keynote presenter, Chris’ insights on leadership are regularly featured in the educational, non-profit, and corporate spaces. Make sure to check out his Bite Down and Don’t Let Go blog and follow him on Twitter @Dr_ChrisHobbs.
Anna Surratt is not new to the Center work as she started with us as a co-captain of her school’s Improvement Community team that partnered with 14 other schools to tackle the problem of practice of Peer Observation and Teacher Evaluation. We discovered that prior to her recent position Anna served as a middle school math and science teacher in both public and charter schools, as well as a Math Specialist and later Assistant Principal for Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and that she had developed a background in Collective Leadership, Design Thinking, and Improvement Science. Using that expertise, Anna has jumped in to work with the 24 Improvement Community schools while helping us and them design improved change processes.
Jeff Horner jumped into the work with us last year leading a cohort of schools through a change process on how to better use data to improve schoolwide practices. Jeff has served schools in North Carolina, California, and Georgia. His primary work and research interests are in data analysis, curriculum, blended learning, and the integration of faith and learning. Follow Jeff on Twitter @JeffHorner5.
We hope that you will jump into this work with us, get to know the Center Fellows, and help us discover more catalytic leaders who are dedicated to helping other professionals accelerate the good work within our profession.