Ford NGL

District Transformation Leaders Circle
2026-04-24 11:00 - 12:00 UTC
Every community identifies a key individual who is responsible for leading the community-connected transformation efforts on a daily basis. Communities have various positions that fulfill this role such as an Assistant Superintendent, Director, Coordinator, etc. Whatever your title is, if you have the responsibility for overseeing the implementation and progress monitoring of your community-connected transformation, this is the circle for you! We encourage all Phase 4 and Phase 5 Ford NGL Designated Community District Transformation Leaders to engage, contribute and collaborate in our circles to continually innovate and improve the school experience for all students.
The 2025-26 sessions are outlined below.

Friday, September 19, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Establishing a Documentation System
•Onboarding New Instructional Staff

Friday, November 21, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Communicating Roles and Responsibilities

Friday, January 16, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Managing Community Partnerships

Friday, March 13, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Monitoring the Implementation

Friday, April 24, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Ensuring Community-Connected Ownership

For more information about this circle, please email Lisa Oleski, Ford NGL Community Coach and Circle Facilitator, at loleski@fordngl.com

Partnership Director Circle
2026-05-07 12:00 - 13:15
Exclusively for Phase 4 and Phase 5 communities, Ford NGL Circles provide a valuable opportunity to network with peers, discuss relevant Roadmap journey topics, learn innovative practices, and receive support for current challenges. If you are a Partnership Director or hold a similar role, responsible for coordinating work-based learning across a multi-high school district and engaging with key business and community organizations, talk with your Ford NGL Coach to see if this Circle is right for you. To enroll, email info@fordngl.com.
The 2025-2026 Partnership Director Circle is invite-only for Phase 4 and Phase 5 Ford NGL communities and will follow the below-noted schedule and topics.

Date
Major (30 minutes)
Minor (15 minutes)

September 4, 2025 (12-1:15 pm ET)
Experiential Learning:
1. District Job Shadow Day
2. Adulting Day & Student Voice
Academy Coach Professional Development or Partnerships

Nov 6, 2025 (12-1:15 pm ET)
PoG integration into business engagement activities
Deepening Partnerships via Impact Effort Matrix
Highlights from LC

Jan 15, 2026 (12-1:15 pm ET)
Building Convener Role Org Capacity
Connecting the Dots: Aligning Business & Education
(foundation for Teaching thru Lens and Experiential Learning goals and impact)

Mar 12, 2026 (12-1:15 pm ET)
How Partners can help with Teaching Thru the Lens
Partner Recruitment Strategies

May 7, 2026 (12-1:15 pm ET)
Program Evaluation: Student Impact
Next year’s priorities survey

Learn more about all of our Ford NGL Circles here.

Academy Coach Circle
2026-05-14 11:00 - 12:00
All Phase 4 & 5 communities have an individual at each of their high schools coordinating and facilitating academy/pathway activities, including work-based learning experiences for students and teachers, supporting effective academy teacher teams, working alongside academy principals, and more.
Sometimes this individual has peers in other buildings in your district; sometimes they are the only one in their district doing this work. The Academy Coach Circle is designed to provide all academy coaches, and those in similar roles inside the school district with the space and opportunity to come together, network, and learn from one another. It is a space to share solid practices and celebrate successes, as well as to discuss challenges and crowdsource solutions. The Circle is an example that represents the best of the idea of “the power of the network!”
If this sounds like the work you do inside your school district (regardless of title) and a group that you think would be of value to your role, reach out to Beth Grzelak (bgrzelak@fordngl.com), co-facilitator of the Academy Coach Circle, to learn more about the group and to get enrolled!
The 2025-26 sessions are outlined below.

Thursday
September 11, 2025
12 pm – 1 pm ET
Special Session – New Phase 4 Academy Coaches & new to their role Academy Coaches only

Thursday
November 6, 2025
12 pm – 1 pm ET
Highlights from Leadership Council

Thursday
January 8, 2026
12 pm – 1 pm ET
Setting up or Evolving Your Student Ambassador Program

Thursday
March 5, 2026
New Times:

Experienced/OG Academy Coaches 12 pm – 1 pm ET
New Academy Coaches 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm ET

Thursday
May 14, 2026

Experienced/OG Academy Coaches 12 pm – 1 pm ET
New Academy Coaches 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm ET

Ford NGL Superintendent's Council Meeting
2026-10-20 - 2026-10-21
Annually, Ford Next Generation Learning brings together our visionary network of superintendents for the Ford NGL Superintendents Council. This dynamic 1.5-day event is intentionally designed to cultivate an environment of shared learning and mutual support, empowering district leaders to drive impactful change in their communities. To learn more about this experience, reach out to us at Info@FordNGL.com.

SC members, please save the date! The event will kick off with an opening session on Tuesday, October 20, and wrap up on Wednesday, October 21, in Knox County, TN.
For questions about the Ford NGL SC Council, please email us at Info@FordNGL.com

Ford NGL Leadership Council Meeting
2026-10-20 - 2026-10-22
The Ford NGL Leadership Council (LC) comprises communities in Phases 4 and 5 of the Ford NGL Roadmap. Each participating community is represented by two members: a district lead and a community convening organization or Steering Committee lead.
The Leadership Council is a dedicated space for transformation leaders to enhance their knowledge, develop skills, and foster relationships and friendships that support their transformation journey. Guided by the Ford NGL Framework and input from members, our in-person meetings are structured to create an engaging and productive environment.
LC members, please save the date: our meeting will begin with an opening session on Tuesday, October 20, and conclude on Thursday, October 22, in Knox County, TN.
For more information on the Ford NGL LC reach out to us at Info@FordNGL.com
