Through Aspiring School Leaders Fellowship, TFA St. Louis prepares participants to lead high-performing schools and supports them in advancing along a pathway to school leadership.
Next to the teacher in the classroom, research shows that the school building leader has the most significant impact on a student’s achievement and future trajectory.
The Aspiring School Leaders Fellowship prepares a racially and professionally diverse cohort of educators to lead high-performing schools by cultivating their skills to positively influence student outcomes and educational equity, and supports them in advancing along a pathway to school leadership.
Since its launch in 2014, the program has graduated more than 100 participants, a majority of whom are in school leadership roles today across St. Louis. These include over a dozen leaders of local public schools-including traditional district schools and public charter schools-more than 30 mid-level school leaders, and two elected school board members. For our 2021-22 cohort, 100% of participants shared they would recommend ASLF to others and 56% of participants moved into the next stage of leadership after completing the program.
Our 15 2022-2023 fellows represent 13 schools across 8 districts in St. Louis with an average of 10 years in education. 73% of participants identify as coming from an underrepresented background (BIPOC, low-income background, and/or first in family to attend college). So far, 100% of participants would recommend the program to a fellow educator, find the program a good use of time, and can apply what they learn to their current role. One fellow shared “connecting with other educational leaders and exchanging knowledge off-bat completely confirmed that this was going to be a great program.”
100%
Recommended the program to a fellow educator
73%
Identified as coming from an underrepresented background
56%
Moved into the next stage of leadership after completing the program
100+
ASLF fellows since it's launch in 2014
Program Components
The Aspiring School Leaders Fellowship is a nine-month program with more than 55 hours of programming designed to accelerate participants’ leadership development through networking with education leaders in St. Louis and monthly professional development sessions from national and local facilitators.
Program components include:
- Monthly sessions on topics relevant to aspiring school leaders like setting a school vision.
- School visits & learning from local and national education leaders.
- Two individualized career discussions throughout the year
- Optional Master’s Degree and principal certification through Saint Louis University.
Other information:
- Meetings will take place monthly (exact timing TBD)
- Participants may be asked to miss up to five days of school/work to participate in PD opportunities as part of this cohort including trainings, university seminars, or school visits.
“I was better prepared for a school leadership role as a result of this program. The professional development, school visits, resume assistance, interview preparation, and connecting to local leadership was extremely helpful in securing an assistant principal role. I am also equipped with the tools to sustain a long career in the education field due to the ASLF Program.”
Application Process
More information coming soon on 2023-2024 applications. See our Info Session Recording from last year for more details on the application process.