Emerging Leaders Institute

Applications for 2026-27 Cohort to Open March 2, 2026
Applicants should submit the application, recommendation and endorsement by May 1, 2026

Program Description

Emerging Leaders is a year-long cohort-based program designed to develop independent school leaders. The program will support participants to take the next step in their career through reflective practice and building skills. Next steps may be toward taking on new responsibilities in their current role or taking on something completely new. Participants will meet monthly in person and via zoom, attend an opening retreat as well as NWAIS professional development programming. 

Participant Profile 

Participants may be currently serving in a variety of positions within their school including teacher, administrator, or staff. Ideal candidates are actively seeking out leadership opportunities. Teacher candidates should be well established in their classroom and looking to take on new responsibilities and/or roles although they may or may not be interested in leaving the classroom for administrative positions. Administrators and staff who have recently stepped into their roles will also be strong candidates.

Program Components  

Over the course of the one-year program, participants will participate in:

• Day-long opening retreat (August 2026) to kick off each year's learning and develop the cohort as a team and learning community. 

• Monthly cohort meetings. These will have a mix of content delivery and discussion.

• Seven Zoom meetings will take place from 3:15-5:00pm on Tuesday afternoons.
  
  
• One in-person workshop in January in the Seattle area

• One-on-one Sessions with a Coach who is currently serving in a leadership capacity in an NWAIS school. Sessions will focus on problems of practice and supporting participants personal leadership journey. Participants can expect at least three coaching sessions over the course of the year.  

• Participation in some NWAIS Professional Programming, including

  • Fall Educators Conference (October 9, 2026)
  • Leadership Institute (June 22-24 2026 and (Tentatively) June 21-23, 2027)
  • Discounted access to one additional NWAIS online course of your choice during the year of your cohort

Outcomes 

Over the course of this one-year program participants will:

• Build meaningful and transformational relationships with facilitators, cohort members, presenters, and coaches.

• Develop skills and knowledge in core areas of school and organizational leadership.

• Engage in reflection and personal growth to help propel participants to the next career phase.

• Grow more confident in both skills and abilities and readiness for leadership.

• Practice leadership stances and lenses through case studies and discussion.

2025-26 Program Calendar  (Generally 2nd Tuesday, With The Exception of November to Avoid Veterans Day)

• August 15, 2025   |  Full Day Retreat  |  Location TBD

• September 9, 2025   |  3:00-5:00pm  |  Zoom

• October 10, 2025   |   Fall Educators Conference Meet-Up

• November 4, 2025   |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom

• December 9, 2025   |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom

• January 13, 2026   |   10:00-4:00pm  | In-person Meeting (Seattle)

• February 10, 2026   |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom

• March 17, 2026  |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom Please Note Change of Date

• April 28, 2026   |   1:00-4:00pm  |  Zoom Please Note Change of Date and Longer Session

• May 19, 2026  |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom Please Note Change of Date

• June 22-24, 2026   |   Monday 10am - Wednesday 3pm  | Concluding session with ELI Cohort + NWAIS Leadership Institute 

2026-27 Program Calendar  (Generally 2nd Tuesday, With The Exception of November to Avoid Veterans Day)

• August 14, 2026   |  Full Day Retreat  |  Location TBD

• September 9, 2025   |  3:00-5:00pm  |  Zoom

• October 9, 2026   |   Fall Educators Conference Meet-Up

• November 3, 2026   |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom

• December 8, 2026   |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom

• January 12, 2027   |   10:00-4:00pm  | In-person Meeting (Seattle)

• February 9, 2027   |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom

• March 16, 2027  |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom  

• April 27, 2027   |   1:00-4:00pm  |  Zoom Please Note Longer Session

• May 25, 2027  |   3:15-5:00pm  |  Zoom  

• June 21-23, 20267  |   Monday 10am - Wednesday 3pm  | Concluding session with ELI Cohort + NWAIS Leadership Institute 

2026-27 Application Components and Process

Application Requirements

Application Questions 

The application materials will still need to be submitted and reviewed. Applicants will be asked to briefly reply to the following prompts (no more than 200 words each.)

Endorsement Form

Endorsement from current Head of School: An endorsement stipulates that the Head of School is aware that you are applying and is supportive of your participation.

Recommendation Form

Recommendation: Your recommendation should be filled out by someone who can speak to your fit for this program. We encourage this to be your current director or manager but can also be someone else from your current institution who has insight into your leadership capacity.

Note: If the recommendation is being filled out by your head of school, please note that they must also fill out the endorsement form.

Tuition

Tuition is inclusive of all components and event registration fees.

• Registration or the Fall Educators Conference (Lodging provided for our of town participants)
• $150 credit to be applied to the additional program or course of your choice
• Registration, Food, and Lodging for the Leadership Institute
• Coaching Sessions
• Programming and Materials

2026-27 Tuition Rates 

NWAIS Member Rate - $3150

Non-Member - $4675

Eligibility 

The Emerging Leaders Institute will serve approximately 20 participants. The cohort will begin with a required retreat in August 2026. The application will help you and the selection committee assess if this is the right time in your career to take on this program.

This program is open to those working in NWAIS schools. If you are not employed by a NWAIS member school and would like to participate, please contact Emily McGrath to see if you may qualify for a waiver.

Cancellation Policy  

Attendees register for the full year course with their initial payment and commit to participating in the full duration of the experience. We expect that their schools will support their participation for the full duration. Occasionally outside circumstances may prevent participants from completing the program. In that case, participants who withdraw from the program by September 4, can receive a refund after a $250 cancellation fee. After September 4 of that academic year, no refunds will be given.  Circumstances when this might happen include: personal illness, change in career objectives, moving out of the area, departing from their school etc.  

Substitutes: Since the program is application based, participation is non-transferrable and no substitutes will be admitted for individual events or completion of future terms.