From Exploration to Possibility
Year 1 of the Innovative Leaders Network (ILN) invites secondary principals into a collaborative learning journey that surfaces assumptions, challenges the status quo, and builds the foundation for meaningful school transformation. Through a progression of book study, thought leadership, site visits, webinars, and intersession work, leaders will explore emerging models for personalized learning, modern instruction, and technology integration—while reflecting on their leadership identity and vision for change.
This experience develops the mindset, awareness, and professional network needed to reimagine what’s possible and prepare for implementation in Year 2.
Outcomes for Participants
By the end of Year 1, participants will:
- Build awareness of innovative instructional structures, models, and technologies
- Engage in peer dialogue to challenge traditional assumptions
- Reflect on leadership identity and narrative
- Identify a focus area for future innovation work
Key Components
Program Launch & Visioning ( In-Person or Zoom, September 24, 2025 | 8:30–11:30 AM)
The journey begins with a dynamic kickoff grounded in core ideas from Most Likely to Succeed, A Manifesto for a Modern Learner, and 12 Big Questions for Reimagining Schools. Participants reflect on their leadership narratives, examine misaligned systems, and connect with peers to establish shared expectations and collaborative norms.
- Explore foundational themes and big questions that challenge the status quo.
- Reflect on the principal’s role as Chief Narrator and reframe the story of school.
- Build connections across the ILN network and set norms for learning.
- Preview the ReOpen to ReInvent book study and how it will connect to future sessions.
Book Study & Thought Leadership (Zoom, October-December 2025| 8:30–9:45 AM)
Guided reading and discussion of Michael Horn’s ReOpen to ReInvent offers a call to transform—not just recover—our schools. Each session includes reflection prompts that build toward identifying a Year 2 change project.
- Link theory to emerging local needs and opportunities
- Engage with practical frameworks and mindsets for innovation
Webinars (Zoom, January–May 2026 | 8:30–9:45 AM)
Five 75-minute virtual sessions offer deep dives into three innovation domains introduced in Year 1:
- Personalized Structures – models like microschools, academies, and hubs
- Instructional Models – frameworks such as Modern Classroom and Portrait of a Graduate
- Emerging Technologies – AI, data tools, content creation platforms, and more
- These sessions are interactive and grounded in real-world examples.
Site Visits (In-Person, January–March 2026)
Optional, targeted in-person visits offer experiential insight into schools actively implementing the innovations explored during webinars.
- Observe classrooms and programs
- Engage in dialogue with host school leaders and teams
- Reflect upon and extrapolate key takeaways
- Consider how to adapt ideas within their own local contexts
Intersession Learning (Ongoing between sessions, October 2025–May 2026)
Intersession learning bridges each major experience, helping participants connect ideas, deepen reflection, and sustain momentum throughout the year.
- Synthesize insights from webinars, book study, and site visits
- Engage in short, purposeful tasks that apply learning to local contexts
- Share reflections and resources with peers working on similar themes
- Strengthen connections through collaborative dialogue and idea exchange
Program Structure & Timeline
| Month | Event/Component | Focus |
| Sept. 24 | Program Launch & Visioning (In-Person or Zoom | 8:30–11:30 AM) | Launch the ILN journey, explore big questions, reflect on leadership identity, and set shared norms |
| Oct. 8 | Book Study Session 1 (Virtual | 8:30–9:45 AM) | Ch 1–2: Reframing disruption and identifying conditions for reinvention |
| Oct. 22 | Book Study Session 2 (Virtual | 8:30–9:45 AM) | Ch 3–5: Aligning purpose, redesigning learning experiences, and mastery-based instruction |
| Nov. 5 | Book Study Session 3 (Virtual | 8:30–9:45 AM) | Ch 6–7: Empowering teachers, building parent partnerships, and fostering buy-in |
| Nov. 19 | Book Study Session 4 (Virtual | 8:30–9:45 AM) | Ch 8–9: Removing barriers and leading adaptive change |
| Dec. 3 | Book Study Session 5 (Virtual | 8:30–9:45 AM) | Ch 10–12: Piloting innovation, aligning systems, and scaling strategies |
| Jan. 7 | Webinar 1 – Personalized Learning Structures (Virtual | 8:30–9:45 AM) | Explore flexible models that personalize time, space, and support: microschools, academies, community hubs |
| Jan. 21 | Site Visit 1 (Optional) | Observe personalized learning in practice |
| Feb. 4 | Webinar 2 – Modern Classroom Approach (Virtual | 8:30–9:45 AM) | Examine mastery-based, self-paced classrooms that foster student ownership |
| Feb. 18 | Site Visit 2 (Optional) | Observe Modern Classroom implementation and reflect on implications for your school |
| Mar. 4 | Webinar 3 – Instructional Models & Student Support (Virtual | 8:30–9:45 AM) | Explore Portrait of a Graduate, interdisciplinary PBL, SEL, and competency-based systems |
| Mar. 18 | Site Visit 3 (Optional) | Observe flexible schedules and instructional support models in innovative learning environments |
| Apr. 22 | Webinar 4: Tools & Technologies | AI (SchoolAI, Brisk), content creation, data tools, VR/AR |
| May 6 | Webinar 5 – Leading in Complexity (Virtual | 8:30–9:45 AM) | Return to 12 Big Questions to challenge assumptions, synthesize learning, and identify Year 2 project focus |
Closing Rationale
Cohort 2, Year 1 is about discovery, curiosity, and courage. It cultivates the mindset needed to move from management to meaningful leadership—fueling bold questions, deep reflection, and readiness to lead future-ready change. Through this foundational experience, participants expand their thinking, build powerful networks, and prepare to take action in Year 2 and beyond.