Maintaining a leadership pipeline is a challenge facing school districts across the state. In 2021, the Livingston Educational Service Agency (ESA) launched the “Cultivating Leaders” series of workshops to address this challenge and fill the space by cultivating new and emerging leaders.
On March 20, educators from across Livingston County attended the last of this year’s four “Cultivating Leaders” workshops. The group was the second cohort to participate in the series.
“Cultivating strong leaders is one of the most important things we can do to support our schools,” said Michael Hubert, superintendent of the Livingston ESA. “Through this workshop series, we hope to help educators develop the skills and confidence they need to take on leadership roles in their schools and to build a network of supportive mentors and peers.”
Designed to empower participants to recognize and apply their own leadership qualities, the workshop series was facilitated by Sean LaRosa, LESA assistant superintendent for early education; Jonathan Tobar, LESA assistant superintendent for; and Trish Poelke, principal of Parker Middle School in Howell. Principal at Howell Public Schools’ Parker Middle School.
The series demonstrated that anyone can bring leadership to the table, regardless of job title. It explored the true meaning of leadership, and how it builds and nurtures relationships founded on trust and loyalty.
Cristian LaBar, EarlyOn Occupational Therapist at the Livingston ESA, said the series “helped break down and define what characteristics go into leadership, and what qualities build the capacity in people to be good leaders – not necessarily ‘leader’ as in a supervisor – but how can you impact people in a positive way that they look for you or trust in the relationship.”
“We all have the same goal: It’s for the kids,” said Emily Clay, a third-grade teacher at Round Elementary School in Hartland. “When you build that community of trust in your building or district, everyone becomes a leader willing to take risks to pursue that bigger goal.”
