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, instructional innovation, 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, ILN Cohort 3 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, September 23, 2026 | 9:30 AM –2:30 PM)
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 2026 | 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 2027 | 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 2027)
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 2026–May 2027)
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
*Dates/Times may change due to the availability of guest contributors and site visit host schools. Most changes are communicated weeks in advance.
| Month/Date | Event/Time | Focus |
| Sep 23, 2026 | In-Person Kickoff 9:30 AM–2:00 PM | Launch the network, build connections, surface assumptions, introduce the Explore & Discover Notebook, and frame Year 1 as a year of observation, reflection, and possibility. |
| Oct 7, 2026 | Book Study Session 1 8:30–9:45 AM | Introduction + Chapters 1–2: Explore the case for rethinking school and identify the assumptions leaders bring into the work. |
| Oct 21, 2026 | Book Study Session 2 8:30–9:45 AM | Chapters 3–5: Explore purpose, learning design, student agency, and mastery-based thinking. |
| Nov 4, 2026 | Book Study Session 3 8:30–9:45 AM | Chapters 6–7: Explore teacher leadership, family/community expectations, and the conditions that support change. |
| Nov 18, 2026 | Book Study Session 4 8:30–9:45 AM | Chapters 8–9: Identify barriers, small wins, and what leaders need to notice before moving too quickly. |
| Dec 2, 2026 | Book Study Session 5 8:30–9:45 AM | Chapters 10–12: Use discovery-driven thinking as a lens for observation, reflection, and future exploration. |
| Jan 13, 2027 | Webinar 1 8:30–9:45 AM | Personalized Learning Structures: Explore flexible structures, academies, microschools, school-within-a-school models, community-connected learning, and flexible scheduling. |
| *Jan 27, 2027 | Optional Site Visit 1 9:00 AM–2:00 PM | Personalized Learning in Practice: Observe how structure, time, space, and student support are being redesigned. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Webinar 2 8:30–9:45 AM | Instructional Models & Supports: Explore Modern Classroom, mastery-based learning, Portrait of a Graduate, PBL, competency-based systems, SEL/student support, and interdisciplinary learning. |
| *Feb 24, 2027 | Optional Site Visit 2 9:00 AM–2:00 PM | Instructional Models in Practice: Observe student agency, flexible pacing, feedback, instructional supports, and teacher moves. |
| Mar 3, 2027 | Webinar 3 8:30–9:45 AM | Tools & Technologies to Improve Outcomes: Explore AI, adaptive tools, data tools, productivity tools, content creation, and responsible technology integration. |
| *Mar 17, 2027 | In-Person Workshop 9:00 AM–2:00 PM | AI + Innovation Sandbox: Engage in hands-on exploration stations, guided reflection, practical examples, and shared noticings without jumping into implementation planning. |
| Apr 21, 2027 | Webinar 4 8:30–9:45 AM | Leading in times of complexity: how does leadership account for chaos and conflict when implementing change for stakeholders? |
Closing Rationale
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.