"SILA: School Improvement Leadership Academy" with the CEii logo to the left of the text and UMD's informal seal to the right

Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement (CEii)

School Improvement Leadership Academy

The School Improvement Leadership Academy (SILA) is a seven-month, hybrid leadership development experience designed to strengthen school-based leaders' practice, moving school improvement planning from compliance-driven processes to ones grounded in commitment and innovation. The academy includes four in-person, full-day sessions and three virtual half-day sessions, grounded in improvement science and focused on advancing equity-driven school improvement.

SILA supports principals, assistant principals, and teacher leaders in identifying and refining Problems of Practice while building their understanding of continuous improvement. This shift will strengthen leaders' planning, testing, and adaptation of solutions to their Problems of Practice. Participants also have the opportunity to earn up to two microcredentials in school improvement, further deepening their learning and application.

2026-27 Session Dates: November 2026 - May 2027

  • Up to 36 hours of Engagement - Includes three 1-hour Coaching Opportunities
  • Option to schedule one (1-hour) school team consultancies (scheduled by school teams)

Dates

Location

Time 

November 4, 2026In-Person9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
December 2, 2026Virtual9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
January 13, 2027In-Person9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
February 3, 2027Virtual9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
March 3, 2027In-Person9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
April 21, 2027Virtual9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
May 12, 2027In-Person9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
CEii SILA Event 3

Register Today

Click to register for the School Improvement Leadership Academy! Additional details are available below.

Academy Goals

Enhance Equity Leadership: Build the knowledge and capacity of school leadership teams to lead with an equity-driven approach.

Strengthen Improvement Leadership: Deepen the understanding and skills of leaders in driving school improvement efforts.

Improve Planning & Implementation: Equip leaders with the strategies to develop and implement high-quality school improvement plans effectively.

Expected Outcomes

  • Improved Leadership Practices: Participants will develop stronger, more effective leadership approaches aligned with school improvement objectives.
  • Equity Audit Proficiency: Leaders will be able to conduct, interpret, and utilize equity audits to inform decision making and improve school equity practices.
  • High-Quality School Improvement Plans: Participants will create and implement more effective, data-driven school improvement plans that lead to tangible results.
  • Advancement of School Performance Goals: Leaders will use improvement science tools to progress toward meeting school performance goals.
  • Design & Conduct PDSA Cycles: Participants will design, implement, and assess PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycles to monitor and refine continuous improvement efforts.

Program Structure

The SILA initiative combines theoretical learning with practical application, ensuring that participants gain the knowledge and skills to effectively lead improvement efforts in their schools. Each participant will engage in hands-on activities, collaborative discussions, and individualized coaching to support their development throughout the program.

Program Investment

Program Options

Rate

Network Member Rate$2,500 per person
Standard Program Rate$3,000 per person

Join an Information Session to learn more about SILA!

Session

DateTimeRegistration
Information Session 1TBATBATBA
Information Session 2TBATBATBA

Past Fellows

Click each category below to see our past fellows

Alice Burke - Assistant Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Allison Kiarie - Assistant Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools
Anne Gorman - Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Brian Wallace - Principal, Howard County Public Schools
Duane Edwards - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Elizabeth Smith - Assistant Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Erin Cribbs - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Jamie Proctor - Assistant Principal, Howard County Public Schools
Jane Martin - Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
John Noonan - Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Kai Cunningham - Principal, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Kyshia Simmons - Assistant Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Sibigi Lipford-Transou - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Ronae Smith - Principal, Prince George’s County Public Schools
LaTricia Thomas - Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools
Mckenna Lewis - Director, Charles County Public Schools
M. Deneise Hammond - Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools
Michelle Brennan - Assistant Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Nicholas Cometa - Assistant Principal, Howard County Public Schools
Nicole Abdullah - Principal, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Orinda Nelson - Assistant Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools
Trish Lannon - Principal, Howard County Public Schools
Thomas Fare - Assistant Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Rashaun Bass - Assistant Principal, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Regina Coleman - Principal, Howard County Public Schools
Sara Cypress - Principal, Prince George’s County Public Schools

Adam Eldridge - Principal, Howard County Public Schools
Allison Goldbloom - Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Allison Johnson - Assistant Principal, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Sparkle Jefferson - Assistant Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Beth Foster - Assistant Principal, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Beverly Botchway - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Brandi Smith - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Casey Hunt - Principal, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Cassandra Heifetz - Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools
Colin Riffe - Assistant Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Stacy Hebert - Assistant Principal, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Erica K. Bennett - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Frederick L. Rivers - Principal, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Ivy Peeples - Executive Director, Plainfield Public Schools
Tito Villosillo - Assistant Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Jared Sherman - Assistant Principal, Caroline County Public Schools
Jessica Coley - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Jessica Grant - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Karyn Chisholm - Assistant Principal, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Kathleen Setzer - Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Katie Fridley - Assistant Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Trevor A. Liburd - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Kristi Allan - Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Leah Warble - Assistant Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Lorie Barnes - Principal, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Mary Silva - Title I Supervisor, Dorchester County Public Schools
Sandra Colluzzi - Literacy Coach, Garrett County Public Schools
Shaunta Jones - Assistant Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Micah Pate - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Michelle Matteis - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Thomas Rivers - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Nyree Smith - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Patricia Twitty - Assistant Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools
Rachel Wise - Principal, Garrett County Public Schools
Renee Jenkins - Principal, Baltimore County Public Schools
Renee Jones - Principal, Prince George's County Public Schools