Reflection and Insights from the Ford NGL Superintendent and Leadership Council Convening
Transformation thrives through the power of collective leadership, collaboration, and shared learning. From October 22-24, 2024, members of the Ford NGL Superintendent and Leadership Council gathered for our annual convening, bringing together leaders from across the network to share strategies, reflect on challenges, and turn insights into action. While this event was an opportunity to celebrate the power of the network and deepen connections, it also featured Hampton City Schools’ inspiring journey, “One Community, One Transformation,” serving as an example of progress for others to explore and adapt to their own contexts.
This convening reinforced the collective strength of our network—highlighting that transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s driven by connected, reflective, and inspired leaders who are ready to learn from one another, adapt successful strategies, and make an impact in their own communities.
Day one kicked off with a presentation from Mary Bunting, City Manager about her role in the Hampton transformation. This was followed by unpacking what it means to be a transformational leader. Attendees then participated in an “unconference” where they supported each other on challenges and shared successes. The day was capped off with a fabulous dinner hosted by Dr. Jeff Smith at the Air and Space Museum.
The second day included a visit to one of the Hampton High Schools with members of the Ford NGL Superintendent and Leadership Council where they heard from administrators of the building, enjoyed a tour by the student ambassadors, and then reconvened to ask questions of the administrators and students. What was evident was how well Hampton has built distributed leadership throughout the district and in the actual buildings. As is typically the case, the students were exceptional contributors and were able to answer any question that the Superintendent and Leadership Council members asked them. We also had the chance to visit middle schools and participate in “The Living Library” where students interviewed members of the Superintendent and Leadership Council about their backgrounds, careers, skills needed, etc. This creative approach demonstrated how student engagement can extend beyond the classroom to create meaningful connections and foster curiosity.
The final part of day two included a deep dive into Hampton’s transformation journey where we heard from various administrators and board members. That was followed by an opportunity for the superintendents to meet with their Leadership Council members to unpack the day and do some forward planning. Participants additionally had the chance to experience Hampton Bay onboard a charter boat where we watched the sunset, enjoyed a fine dinner, connected with friends, and capped off the evening with a little karaoke.
Those who participated in the two-day event learned:
- Distributed Leadership: Participants learned how Hampton built and sustained a model of shared responsibility across the district and in individual schools.
- Student Engagement: The focus on elevating student voices and leadership offered tangible ideas for other districts to adopt.
- Transformational Vision: Hampton’s “One Community, One Transformation” approach provided a replicable framework for engaging all stakeholders in district-wide change.
- Practical Strategies: Attendees left with actionable insights to implement in their own schools and communities, such as how to foster collaboration, engage stakeholders, and build alignment across sectors.
Along the way, attendees also shared what they felt to be standout moments and quotes from students, superintendents, and administrators that captured key thoughts and will inspire their future actions. For those learnings and an incredible overall experience, we want to give a very special shout-out to Dr. Raymond Haynes and his outstanding team at Hampton City Schools for hosting the Ford NGL Superintendent and Leadership Council meetings.
To learn more about the signature Ford NGL Superintendent and Leadership Council experiences email us at [email protected]
