Circles

OPEN TO PHASE 4 AND 5 COMMUNITIES

What are Circles You Ask?

Ford NGL Circles are places 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.

They are virtual professional learning communities for folks with specific roles in our Phase 4 and Phase 5 communities. They typically meet every other month for 60-75 minutes.

Academy Coaches Circle

Designed for those who serve as Academy Coaches, or have similar roles, at their high schools, coordinating and facilitating academy/pathway activities, including work-based learning experiences, effective teaming, and more.

Academy Principals Circle

Intended for academy principals or those responsible for the day-to-day oversight of one or more academies within a high school.

District Transformation Leaders Circle

Geared toward Assistant Superintendents, Directors, Coordinators, and others responsible for overseeing the implementation, progress, and monitoring, of community-connected transformation.

Partnership Directors Circle

For those who coordinate work-based learning opportunities across multiple high schools within a district.

Academy Coaches Circle

Are you an Academy Coach or have a similar role?
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, supporting effective academy 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 experiences?  Do you support effective academy team practices  SMART goals and the 3Is (Interdisciplinary Instruction, 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 and/or 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, Circle Facilitator, at [email protected].

Does this sound like the right circle for you?
If so, then email us at [email protected] to get enrolled!

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!