“What students need today is a new kind of leader. Their very style breathes life on others by the way they perceive the reality
in front of them; how they encourage and inspire others; how they furnish energy to conversations and projects; by how they spot
solutions (not just problems), and how they motivate others through gratitude and encouragement."   ~ Dr. Tim Elmore

Superintendents and other executive leaders are uniquely positioned to transform their school districts and communities they serve. To accomplish this, incoming executives must enter the role at full speed, ready to address the never-ending menu of priorities assigned to the position. KASA is pleased to offer its members a highly exclusive experience designed to build confidence and capacity to thrive as executive leader of the school district.

This will not be your typical leadership development program. KASA believes its members already possess many of the technical and interpersonal skills that have helped them to achieve their current role. Instead, this program will focus on cultivating an expansive, agile leadership mindset with the capacity to embrace innovation, build coalitions, and achieve sustainable change. This is transformative leadership.

The KASA Executive Leadership Academy for Aspiring Superintendents (KELA - pronounced Kee-lah) is a 17-month comprehensive executive readiness series providing a collaborative environment where you can tap into the collective brilliance of your peers, guided by former and current Kentucky and national school leadership experts exploring and working on the real challenges you will face as the superintendent. The result is an invigorated, purposeful, and supportive network of leaders motivated to move forward — as individuals and together — to inspire a ripple effect of unprecedented excellence, innovation, and improved student performance in Kentucky public schools.

It's one thing to be eligible to be a superintendent. It's a totally different thing to be ready. That's what KELA is all about.

A maximum of 30 members will be accepted into the first KELA cohort for 2021-2022.

Application window: May 10, 2021 – August 13, 2021

Program length: 17-monthly meetings (hybrid in-person and Zoom)
First meeting, August 26-27, 2021, program graduation December 2022.

Cost: $3999.00

Application Requirements:
• Must be a KASA Member to participate. May join KASA at registration
• Must have three years of administrative experience at any level
• A $250.00 deposit will trigger application process

For complete information, contact Rhonda Caldwell, or Tammy Newcome.

Successful Completers of KELA:

1. Will have experienced the most immediately applicable, reality based, experience rich preparation program available to Kentucky educators seeking to ascend to the superintendent’s role.
2. Will receive the KASA Executive Leadership Academy Certificate of Leadership Readiness and publicly recognized at the July 2023 KASA Annual Leadership Institute.
3. Will be invited to present a session at the 2022 or 2023 KASA Annual Leadership Institute in a KELA spotlight education session on Thursday of the event.
4. Will have exclusive eRibbon designed for permanent addition to her/his email signature.
5. Will have achievement reported to school district with a request for public recognition at an upcoming school board meeting.
6. Will have achievement reported by press-release on the KASA Education News Brief (ENB) and forwarded to the local print and online news service in his/her area.
7. Will be provided official language for addition to the professional resume.
8. Will receive priority promotion by the KASA Superintendent Search Service to school boards seeking new superintendents.