Over the past 18 years, nearly 200 school directors from around the state have completed the Leadership WSSDA program. Designed for school directors with at least two years of experience, Leadership WSSDA helps participants deepen their personal and professional capacity for leadership.
Participants will enjoy highly engaging, place-based learning that connects them with state and local leaders. Graduates of the program have become leaders at the state level themselves, serving on WSSDA committees, the WSSDA Board of Directors, and even in the Legislature. Ten graduates have gone on to become WSSDA presidents.
The Leadership WSSDA program provides the time and framework to examine today’s most important education issues with other experienced school board members. There is very little lecture time. Participants will be up and moving, engaging with each other in one-on-one discussions, group activities, and actively learning. The curriculum may also include reading articles and books between classes to enrich discussion around current education and leadership topics.
Leadership WSSDA is for school directors with at least two years of school board experience. Those with fewer than two years on their board are not eligible to apply for this program. Instead, newer school board members are encouraged to participate in WSSDA’s Board Boot Camp and OnBoard professional learning opportunities. Also, serving on a WSSDA committee is a great way to build experience.
Following the schedule below, participants will enjoy visits by expert speakers and field trips to facilitate in-depth learning. School directors admitted to the program will need to commit to all five sessions, though exceptions could occur in rare circumstances..
Here are the topics, dates and locations for every 2024 Leadership WSSDA session:
Leadership Defined
February 8-9
At the WSSDA office and Capitol Campus in Olympia
Leadership for Influence
March 28-29
At the Lacey Hampton Inn & Suites and OSPI in Olympia
Leadership for All
May 30-31
At Walla Walla Public Schools, Walla Walla (tentative)
Leadership for Change
September 12-13
At Highline Public Schools, Burien (tentative)
Leadership for Life & Graduation from the Program
November 20-21
At the Spokane Convention Center/Davenport Grand Hotel in conjunction with 2024 Annual Conference
The tuition of $1,200 covers the cost to run the program plus meals and snacks to keep participants energized. Tuition does not include the cost of travel and lodging.
Most school districts fully or partially cover the costs for school directors to participate in Leadership WSSDA as part of their investment in the board’s professional development. Scholarships may be available for those whose school district does not fund their participation.
If a registrant suddenly becomes unable to participate, half of tuition (50%) is refundable following the first session and prior to the second session. After the second session, no refunds will be given.
Sign up to be notifed when the next application window opens.
Tracy Morgan
Castle Rock School District
Kristina Mayer
Chimacum School District
Deborah Kilgore
Edmonds School District
Rob Perkins
Evergreen Public Schools
Trudy Davis
Federal Way School District
Leslie Hamada
Kent School District
Larry Otos
Mount Vernon School District
Jenn Stevenson
Othello School District
Lisa Rivera Smith
Seattle Public Schools
Nikki Lockwood
Spokane Public Schools
Jenny Slagle
Spokane Public Schools
Albert Schreiber
Stanwood-Camano School District
Jennifer McDonald
Steilacoom Historical School District
Loujanna Rohrer
Steilacoom Historical School District
Sandra Linde
Sunnyside School District
Sherri Darrow
Toppenish School District
Laurie Stanton
White Salmon Valley School District
Norm Walker
Yakima School District
Contact Tricia Lubach or Christine Najarro.