Hey Ford NGL Phase 4 & Phase 5 Communities!
Our Circle meet-ups are ongoing professional learning opportunities, so feel free to join a Circle any time. We would love to have you!
What is a Circle, you ask?
Ford NGL Circles are a place where you can network with your peers, discuss topics that are impacting your work, learn about innovative practices other communities are using, and get support for strategies you’re trying to implement.
It is a virtual professional learning community for folks with specific roles in our Phase 4 and Phase 5 communities. They typically meet every other month for 60-75 minutes.
The Circles
Academy Coaches Circle
Are you an Academy Coach or have a similar role?
All Phase 4 & 5 communities have Academy Coaches at each of their high schools, coordinating and facilitating academy/pathway activities, including work-based learning experiences, effective teaming, and more.
Does this sound like what you do?
Reach out to Beth Grzelak ([email protected]), co-facilitator of the Academy Coach Circle, to learn more about the group and to get enrolled!
Academy Principals Circle
Are you an Academy Principal or have a similar role in which you have day-to-day oversight of one or more academies in the school?
Does your day-to-day work focus on both academic and non-academic aspects of the student experience and supporting effective academy teams focused on SMART goals and the 3Is (Interdisciplinary, Interventions, and Identity)? Do you work closely with the academy team lead, academy counselor, and the academy coach?
If this sounds like what you do, then the Academy Principal Circle may be for you! To learn more and to get enrolled, reach out to Beth Grzelak, Circle facilitator, at [email protected].
Please note: In our smaller communities, this circle may be appropriate for the building principal if they also have direct responsibility for one or more academies. In our larger communities, however, where the building principal may often have the title of “executive principal,” this circle may not be the best fit for you. If you are unsure, talk with your Ford NGL coach reach out to Beth.
District Transformation Leaders Circle
Are you the District Transformation Leader in your district?
Every community identifies a key individual who is responsible for leading the 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. For more information about this circle, please email Lisa Oleski, Ford NGL Community Coach and Circle Facilitator.
Process for DTL and Partnership:
- Reach out to your coach or email us at [email protected] for your access code. You’ll need this to get started.
- Once you have your access code, create your account here.
- Once your account is created and you’re logged in, navigate to the Groups page and request access to the District Transformation Leaders Circle.
- You should receive a confirmation email shortly after submitting the request.
- Once your request is approved, you will be able to see the Circle listed in your profile under the “My Circles” navigation item (located in the profile drop down menu).
Leadership Council Circle
Are you the designated Leadership Council Representative for your community?
Now, you can continue to connect with your Leadership Council peers after our annual in person gathering. You don’t have to wait to connect. Continue to leverage your network on this community connected transformation journey in your role as the district lead or the community convening organization or steering committee lead. This is a private group just for you, lean in on each other and maximize the power of your Ford NGL Leadership Council Network.
Once you register for the Ford NGL U, our team will enroll you in the Leadership Council Circle. You will be able to access all the material shared during our in person gatherings. You will also be able to continue to stay connected virtually.
About the Ford NGL Leadership Council
- The Ford NGL Leadership Council (LC) is made up of communities in Phases 4 and 5 of the Roadmap.
- Each community has two representatives invited to join the Leadership Council. A district and community convening organization/Steering Committee lead.
- The Ford NGL Leadership Council is a place for a community’s transformation leaders, like you, to acquire more knowledge and skills and build relationships and friendships to support your transformation journey.
- We use the Ford NGL Framework and input from you to guide our topics of exploration through a structured and engaging environment.
- The structure of our meetings includes:
- Sharing successful practices,
- Role-alike network connections
- Just-in-time network support around real implementation challenges
- Opportunity to continue building your knowledge bank and toolbox with tools and resources
Partnership Directors Circle
Are you in a role named, or similar to, Partnership Director?
Many communities have a Partnership Director or similar role, who coordinates work-based learning opportunities across a multi-high school district. They serve as the liaison with the convening org and other key business and community organizations. This may be an internal (district-level) position or an external position (United Way, EDC, chamber representative) in charge of business partnership development and engagement.
Does this sound like what you do?
Talk with your Ford NGL Coach(es), to see if this is the right Circle for your role, and if so, email [email protected] to get enrolled!
Superintendents Circle
Are you the Superintendent in your district?
You don’t have to be alone on this community connected transformation journey in your role as a Superintendent. This is a private group just for you, lean in on each other and maximize the power of your Ford NGL Superintendent’s Network.
Once you register for the Ford NGL U, our team will enroll in the Superintendent Circle. You will be able to access all the material shared during our in person gatherings. You will also be able to continue to stay connected virtually.
