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New Fellowship Aims To Help Superintendents Implement Personalized Learning

Ten public school superintendents have been selected for an inaugural fellowship program designed to introduce them to the concept of personalized learning and help them implement programs in their own districts.

The Lexington Education Leadership Award (LELA) Fellowship is being sponsored by the Arlington, VA-based Lexington Institute, a public policy think tank that focuses on issues dealing with the intersection of technology and education, national security and energy.

The superintendents, selected from a group of 50 applicants and representing districts of every size, will, during the six-month program:

  • Participate in a specialized conference track at the Education Elements' National PL (Personalized Learning) Summit May 7-8 in San Jose, CA, that will include school visits, access to district leaders already implementing personalized learning programs and discussions with current thought leaders;
  • Receive technical assistance, resources and support to develop their own customized PL programs;
  • Have access to an online LELA Community of Practice forum; and
  • Attend a conference and awards dinner in Washington, DC, for LELA Fellows that will include nationally recognized speakers on the topic.

The Fellows will also be mentored by educators who already have experience with personalized learning, including:

"This will enable me to learn, develop and grow my leadership skills," said Theron J. Schutte, superintendent of the Bettendorf Community School District in Iowa. "At the end of the day, it's about finding new and innovative ways for teachers to facilitate learning opportunities in which all students are engaged, enriched and achieving at high levels."

Applications for the second class of LELA Fellows will open in September for a November launch.

About the Author

Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.

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