JP Schools Announces Inaugural Cohort of Aspiring School Leaders

HARVEY, La. (press release) — Jefferson Parish Schools launched another program to support current educators as they advance in their career. JP Schools announced its inaugural class of the Aspiring Leaders Academy. These 22 educators will spend the next six months training to become school leaders in Louisiana’s largest school system.

“The Aspiring Leaders Academy is a new innovative program that will allow our district to continue cultivating our teachers and leaders from within,” said Superintendent Dr. James Gray. “By growing the skills of our future leaders now, this will benefit our students and district for years to come.”

The Aspiring Leaders Academy is designed to establish the foundational leadership skills needed to successfully lead 21st century schools. Developed by JP Schools to invest in employee growth, the program consists of three critical components:

- Sponsors -
  • Professional Development: Educators attend workshops that identify the profile and a successful school leader and develop the skills needed to meet these high standards.
  • On-the-Job Assignments: Educators engage in special projects inside schools and classrooms that align to the skills identified during professional development. Projects are job-embedded based on the educator’s current role.
  • Coaching: Educators receive targeted feedback from school and district leaders throughout the entirety of the program.

Participants in the 2022-2023 Aspiring Leaders Academy cohort include:

  • Charles Aboyoun
  • Lashara Allen-Smith
  • Kristen Burke
  • Nicole Butler
  • Jessica Chatelain
  • Nicole Craig
  • Kristina Daggs
  • Merri Davis
  • Monique Guitterrez
  • Jessica Harrison
  • Tiffany Hohensee
  • Devin Howard
  • Andrew Johnson
  • Valerie Johnson
  • Sharalynn Keju
  • Benjamin-David Legrand
  • Meagan Phillips
  • Erica Rosher
  • Ozzie Ross
  • Joshua Russell
  • Erika Russo
  • Michael Tardy

The Aspiring Leaders Academy aligns with priority three in the district’s strategic plan and is the first phase of JP Schools’ comprehensive principal leadership program, Operation Lead. Educators in the Aspiring Leaders Academy will have the opportunity to progress through subsequent Operation Lead phases: assistant principal pool, principal pool, and principal cluster meetings. Operation Lead allows educators to gain valuable skills in their journey to become a principal. Each phase offers opportunities to learn competencies and skills for successfully leading schools. Educators also develop new perspectives as they network with experienced leaders. 

Digital Sponsors / Become a Sponsor

Follow the issues, companies and people that matter most to business in New Orleans.

Email Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter