Three educators at Assumption High School have been selected as candidates for the Assumption Parish School’s first Aspiring Leaders Cohort, which has been created by school leaders to grow and prepare inspiring young educators within the district to assume greater leadership roles.

The first candidates for the cohort include Dr. Johnny Lawrence, Cari Leonard, and Keith Menard.  District leaders are hoping to add more candidates in future sessions.

“We are excited to have three outstanding educators participate in our first cohort effort.  Preparing future leadership is critical to our district’s ability to build upon our successes and to take our efforts to higher levels.  This effort is one of the key elements of our strategic plan that we developed through much collaboration with our various communities,” Superintendent John Barthelemy said.

Barthelemy and other top administrators led the Feb. 8 meeting with the candidates.  Other participants included Director of Curriculum & Instruction Britney Allen, Supervisor of Elementary Education Rachel Dugas, and Supervisor of Special Education Margaret Cage.

“Our mission is to prepare school leaders to inspire lifelong learners, prepare students for their chosen future, and cultivate an environment conductive to learning,” Cage said.

Barthelemy said district leaders plan for the cohort to meet monthly, focusing on field work exercises and digital reflections through this summer.  The aspiring leaders will participate in a variety of activities that align to leadership standards that govern school leaders, including vision, mission and goals, teaching and learning, managing organization systems and safety, collaborating with families and stakeholders, ethics and integrity, the education system, and understanding political, social economic, legal and cultural contexts.

He said expectations for the cohort include:

• Engage in a variety of learning activities as the leader of their own school;

• Complete activities with research, data, and current information taking ownership and the initiative to color outside the lines;

• Be present in leadership activities in their current positions at their school to bring positive changes and make a difference;

• Be lifelong learners engaging in professional praxis to build a body of work that is transferable to impact positive changes in schools; and

• Be change agents to inspire learners at all levels, impact school growth, and overall student achievement.