WOCEC National Fellows Meet in Newark
Research consistently highlights the importance of adaptive leadership in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of K-12 education. As districts and charter management organizations (CMOs) face shifting policies, funding uncertainties, and increasing demands for equity-driven outcomes, strong leadership is essential to driving meaningful change. According to a 2023 study by the Learning Policy Institute, districts that foster collaborative leadership between boards, superintendents, and community stakeholders are more successful in implementing sustainable reforms.
With this in mind, the WOCEC team and current WOCEC National District Fellows gathered in Newark on March 13 for an intensive day of learning and collaboration, centered around the theme “Building Political Will to Implement Adaptive Change Strategies.”
Throughout the day, fellows engaged in rich roundtable discussions, tackling pressing questions such as:
- How is your district/CMO preparing for potential policy and funding shifts?
- What strategies can leaders employ to maintain focus on long-term goals amid uncertainty?
WOCEC President Dr. Stephanie Wood-Garnett and WOCEC executive coaches facilitated conversations about adaptive leadership, offering insights into how education leaders can effectively navigate complex challenges.
The event concluded with a panel discussion on strategic alignment, exploring how districts and CMOs can maximize collaboration between school boards and superintendents, particularly during the superintendent search process. Panelists included:
- Michael A. Jaime, Board Trustee, Elmont Union (NY) Free School District and Chair, National Black Council of School Board Members, National School Boards Association
- Lorna Lewis, EdD, Superintendent, Malverne Union (NY) Free School District
- Denise M. Lowe, EdD, Board Member, Howell Township (NJ) Public Schools
Join the WOCEC network: Are you interested in gaining access to exclusive learning opportunities like this? Want to learn more about becoming a WOCEC member? Click here to get involved!
Empowered to Lead: Perfecting Your Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Skills
Educators, just like you’d tidy up your home for spring, now is the perfect time to “spring clean” your resume and cover letter. Whether you’re considering a transition into a new leadership position or simply updating your professional profile, freshening up these key documents ensures they highlight your growth, expertise, and leadership potential, making you ready for the next opportunity.
The WOCEC can assist with its series of spring workshops, which are both virtual and face-to-face. Need help with your resume, cover letter, interviewing, and personal branding to make sure you’re ready to move on to your next big job? See below and join us in April.
Career Coaching I, April 5, 9:00 am to 11:30 am ET, virtual
Topics to be covered: Cover letters, resumes, elevator speech, social media, and personal branding
Virtual workshop fee: $10 for WOCEC members and $35 for non-members
Click here to sign up: Members or non-members
Career Coaching I, April 12, 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm ET, virtual
Topics to be covered: Cover letters, resumes, elevator speech, social media, and personal branding
Virtual workshop fee: $10 for WOCEC members and $35 for non-members
Click here to sign up: Members or non-members
Career Coaching II, April 30, 9:00 am to noon ET or 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, in person at the George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Avenue, the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, New Brunswick, NJ.
Topics to be covered: Interviewing techniques and mock interview
In person workshop fee: $50, with lunch included
Click here to sign up: Morning time or afternoon time
RSVP for lunch (noon-1:00 pm) here
Recent Research and Diverse Women Leaders
Recent research spotlights the experiences of diverse women leaders in K-12 education. Studies explore the challenges faced by Asian-American, Latina, and African-American women, revealing the impact of cultural identity, resistance capital, and leadership pathways. During Women’s History Month, these insights celebrate the evolving landscape of women’s educational leadership.
- So, You Think You Can Lead? A Study On The Emotional Intelligence Of Female District Leaders Of K-12 Education by Meocha Williams (2024). This phenomenological qualitative study investigates the emotional intelligence competencies of female district-level leaders in the K-12 education system, highlighting the disparities between the high percentage of female teachers and the lower representation in district leadership positions.
- Spotlighting the Need for More Minority Women in K-12 Education Leadership by Natasha N. Johnson (2024). This work addresses the challenges and disparities minority women face in pursuing leadership positions in K-12 education, emphasizing the positive impact of increasing minority women in leadership on student academic success.
- Experiences of Female African American Educators When Seeking Leadership Positions by Shawania Marshall (2024). This paper explores the lived experiences of African-American female educators in Georgia as they pursue leadership roles, shedding light on systemic barriers and challenges they encounter.
- Understanding the Journey to Leadership for Asian American Women Who Ascended to Their First K–12 School Leadership Position: A Narrative Study by Binal Kumar (2024). This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of Asian-American women who achieved their first school administrator roles in New Jersey, examining the intersectionality of gender, race, age, and social norms in their leadership development.
- Add Hoop Earrings: An Examination of the Career Pathways, Supportive Factors, and Barriers Experienced by Latina Superintendents in the Midwest by Mallory Umar (2024). This study investigates the professional backgrounds, supportive factors, and challenges faced by Latina superintendents, highlighting the underrepresentation of Latina/o/x educators in K-12 public schools and their career trajectories.
- Resistance Capital as a Cultural Asset That Supports Latina Leadership Development and Addresses Environmental Leadership Challenges in K-12 Schools by Manuela Jimenez (2024). This research delves into the leadership experiences of Latina principals in New Jersey public schools, emphasizing how their cultural assets and resistance capital contribute to their leadership practices.
These dissertations contribute valuable insights into the dynamics facing women of color in the current K-12 ecosystem.
WOCEC’s 2nd Leadership Chat: Dr. M. Ann Levett
The WOCEC held its second leadership chat on March 20, with Dr. M. Ann Levett, Assistant Executive Director, Leadership Network, AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
Prior to joining AASA, Dr. Levett was the superintendent of Savannah-Chatham County (GA) Public Schools, and prior to that, she served as dean of the school of education at Middle Georgia State University and as the executive director of the Comer School Development Program (SDP), a national school reform program at Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to coordinating SDP’s school university partnerships across the US and its territories, Dr. Levett led reform efforts in Dublin, Ireland, and Rennes, France. She also consulted on significant community development projects in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and several major U.S. cities.
The WOCEC’s virtual “fireside chats” are designed to bring together women leaders who are navigating and shaping education during a time of significant political and societal change, impacting schools, districts, and communities alike.
As these chats are open only to WOCEC members, click here to learn more about membership.