Circle Updates: What’s Been Happening & What’s Coming Next!
Ford NGL Circles continue to be places where ideas get tested, practices get sharpened, and communities learn with and from one another. Here’s a snapshot of the energy, insights, and momentum across our circles:
Academy Coach Circle
Last Circle: January 8, 2026
Next Circle: Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 12:00 pm ET
This circle was buzzing with rich conversation around Student Ambassador programs with two powerful breakout rooms:
Starting & Strengthening Student Ambassadors
Beth facilitated a breakout with newer Ford NGL communities focused on launching and refining Student Ambassador programs. She shared a Student Ambassador Program: Building It Up & Solidifying It checklist, and the group added even more practical ideas to strengthen the tool. A true crowd-sourced win!
Taking Student Ambassadors to the Next Level
In Thommye’s breakout, communities with more established programs explored how to evolve ambassadors beyond tours using Student Ambassador Program: Evolving It Beyond Tours. The conversation prompted deeper thinking about student leadership and broader impact.
What’s Next?
Our March 5th Circle will focus on storytelling (2025 Ford NGL Tactic 3.5). We’ll ask you to bring a key communication or storytelling tool from your role. To whet your whistle:
- Parents → Facebook
- Business partners → LinkedIn
- Students → Instagram
This Circle also welcomes a new co-facilitator, Elizabeth Duehr (“Deer”) from the Academies of Shakopee (MN). We’re sending huge thanks and congratulations to Thommye Kelley, who is stepping away after two incredible years of service—and preparing to welcome a baby girl in early March!
District Transformation Leads Circle
Last Circle: January 16, 2026
Next Circle: March 13, 2026 | 12:00 pm ET
This session surfaced a shared challenge—and opportunity:
Documentation is everywhere… but not always together.
Key themes and bright spots:
- A strong desire for one central “home” for documentation, with clear ownership and a regular review cadence.
- One district shared a sustainability plan built around a representative vision team and 14 agreed-upon documentation chapters, informed by staff, students, and community partners.
- Another district discussed a handbook originally designed for community coaches and team leads, now being expanded for new-teacher onboarding and broader staff use.
- A third district is refreshing its master plan for the first time in a decade, emphasizing the importance of documenting not just what it does but also how it follows up with partners.
Big takeaways:
- New superintendents and leaders need to be immersed in governance and teaming structures—not just briefed on them.
- Start with the “why,” history, and a few high-leverage structures before handing over the full archive.
The March 13th session will dig deeper into community partnerships and engagement processes.
Partnership Directors Circle
The January 15 Circle focused on strengthening systems-level partnerships and aligning education and industry by speaking the same language—and being far more intentional with time and tools.
Highlights included:
- Connecting the Dots
Kari Morey (Academies of Racine) led a deep dive into the Connecting the Dots protocol. Employers highlighted durable skills such as communication and collaboration, while educators emphasized technical skills, creating powerful “aha” moments and renewed alignment among curriculum, PBL, advisory councils, and work-based learning. - Portrait of a Graduate in Action
Elizabeth Duehr (Academies of Shakopee) shared how teacher externships are moving the Portrait of a Graduate from the wall to classrooms. Teachers gained real-world insights, stronger confidence, and clearer pathways to embed employability skills, along with candid lessons about sustainability and scale. - Storytelling that Scales Impact
Tosha Ridenour (Academies of Louisville) concluded by demonstrating how effective communications and partner storytelling (such as a re-energized partnership with Ford Motor Company) drive engagement and provide students with real manufacturing challenges to tackle.
Circles Summary:
Our great circles are doing what they’re designed to do among their participants: Build clarity, deepen practice, build peer relationships, and help communities move further, faster together. We can’t wait to keep the learning going with you this spring!
