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 Coaches Connect & Collaborate
Last Circle: May 7, 2026
Next Circle: Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 12:00 pm ET
Academy Coaches recently came together for a collaborative Academy Coach Circle filled with meaningful conversations, practical strategies, and shared learning. Participants spent part of the session in groups of newer and more experienced coaches, allowing each group to focus on topics most relevant to their current work.
Newer Academy Coaches explored the fundamentals of the coaching role, including supporting academy teams, implementing master plans, and establishing clear boundaries around responsibilities. Coaches discussed the value of bringing a fresh perspective to existing systems by asking thoughtful “why” questions and identifying opportunities to strengthen culture and processes. Collaboration with CTE staff and building cohesive academy teams also emerged as key priorities.
Experienced Academy Coaches focused on ways to “work smarter, not harder” by distributing leadership, refining systems, and improving the management of marquee events and guaranteed experiences. Coaches reflected on what is working well, what could be improved, and what practices may no longer be serving their goals.
Across both groups, coaches shared innovative ways they are leveraging AI and technology tools, including ChatGPT, to streamline planning, communication, organization, and formatting tasks. Several districts also highlighted the implementation of customer relationship management systems to better organize industry partner engagement and collect valuable data.
A common challenge discussed was tracking industry partner involvement, including documenting experiences and collecting “time, talent, and treasure” contributions. Coaches emphasized the need for efficient systems that support reporting, storytelling, and long-term sustainability.
Another valuable takeaway centered on reflection and documentation. Experienced coaches encouraged regularly recording lessons learned throughout the year so insights can be intentionally applied to future planning and continuous improvement efforts.
The session also featured several resource updates, including newly added middle school academy presentation materials and a rich discussion about elevating student voice through communications and social media. Districts shared creative approaches such as student-managed social media accounts, QR code submissions, photojournalism programs, and student-led Instagram takeovers.
A quick follow-up to our January 2026 conversation on Academy Ambassador Programs revealed that while most coaches do not teach a formal ambassador course, many schools successfully engage student leaders through advisory periods, leadership groups, National Honor Society partnerships, and flexible meeting structures. Coaches also noted the importance of balancing ambassador coordination with other academy coaching responsibilities.
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District Transformation Lead Circle Focuses on Sustainability and Long-Term Impact
Last Circle: April 24, 2026
Next Circle: TBD
District Transformation Leads gathered for the final Circle of the 2025–26 school year to reflect on progress, strengthen implementation practices, and plan for sustainable success in the years ahead.
A central theme of the session was the importance of documenting systems and processes to ensure continuity and effective implementation, especially as districts experience leadership transitions or advance into later phases of transformation. Participants discussed strategies for organizing key resources—including role descriptions, partnership systems, collaboration structures, meeting expectations, charters, handbooks, and monitoring tools—within shared documentation systems that support long-term success.
The group explored an essential question: How can documented community-connected structures and processes be used to monitor and ensure effective implementation and sustainability? Participants reflected on how they are monitoring implementation across multiple areas, including teaching and learning, partnerships, distributed leadership, school-level collaboration, and student experiences. A key takeaway was the importance of monitoring adult actions and implementation fidelity as a foundation for achieving desired student outcomes.
Breakout discussions allowed districts to connect with peers in similar implementation phases. Districts in earlier stages shared how they are using 60- to 90-day sprint cycles, accountability structures, tactic teams, and stakeholder workgroups to build momentum and cultivate shared ownership. More experienced districts discussed refining long-term tactical plans, leveraging data systems to monitor partnerships and student experiences, and strengthening connections between academic achievement goals and academy work.
Participants exchanged several effective practices, including:
- Using sprint cycles and scorekeeping processes to monitor progress.
- Expanding stakeholder engagement through tactic teams and workgroups.
- Connecting teams across initiatives to create greater systemwide coherence.
- Utilizing tools such as Salesforce, student information systems, data dashboards, and assessment platforms to track partnerships, student experiences, and academic outcomes.
- Establishing regular data review cycles that align with district capacity and priorities.
- Connecting academic achievement goals directly to transformation and academy implementation efforts.
The session concluded with encouragement to stay connected through the Circle community, continue collaborating with coaches and peers, and help shape future professional learning opportunities through feedback and ongoing engagement.
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Partnership Directors Focus on Measuring Impact and Planning Ahead
Last Circle: May 7, 2026
Next Circle: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Partnership Directors recently came together to explore strategies for strengthening partnership impact, sharing effective practices, and identifying priorities for the year ahead.
A key focus of the session was a discussion around a new Partnership Evaluation and Impact Survey, designed to better understand how communities evaluate partnership implementation and outcomes. Participants explored the importance of moving beyond simply tracking activities to measuring meaningful results that can inform continuous improvement. The survey will help identify trends across communities, highlight effective evaluation practices, surface common challenges, and guide future support efforts.
Participants also completed a 2026–27 Priorities Survey to help shape upcoming Partnership Director Circle topics, resources, and professional learning opportunities. The survey will provide valuable insight into common needs and areas of focus across the Ford NGL network.
Another important conversation centered on the 2026 Business Partner Survey. Partnership Directors reviewed plans for implementation within their communities and discussed strategies for gathering actionable feedback from partners, strengthening engagement, and supporting long-term partnership sustainability. Participants also shared resources and ideas to support successful survey administration.
During the open discussion portion of the session, participants addressed a significant challenge facing many communities: academy coach turnover. With an anticipated 71% turnover rate across communities, the group exchanged ideas for onboarding new coaches, developing helpful resources and handbooks, and preserving institutional knowledge to ensure a smooth transition and continued momentum.
The session highlighted the power of collaboration and shared learning as Partnership Directors work together to strengthen systems, measure impact, and build sustainable partnerships that support student success.
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Calling All Phase 4 and 5 Communities: Ford NGL Circles Return in September!
Ford NGL Circles are starting again in September 2026, and we are excited to welcome members of Phase 4 and 5 communities back into these meaningful learning spaces.
When Circle participants are asked what they would tell a colleague who has not attended a Circle Meet-Up, their top piece of advice is clear: You should participate in Circles! Participants consistently share that Circles are a valuable way to connect with colleagues, learn from others, and bring fresh ideas back to their own communities.
Ford NGL Circles are more than just another meeting. They are a space for shared learning, collaboration, and practical support. As a Circle participant, you will have opportunities to:
- Build connections with peers in similar roles who understand your challenges and opportunities.
- Dive deeper into Roadmap journey topics that matter most at your stage of transformation.
- Gain fresh ideas and innovative practices you can bring back to your own community.
- Find solutions and support for the real issues you are navigating right now.
Circles for the following roles will kick off in September. Please see the Ford NGL calendar for all session dates and details.
- Partnership Directors: Thursday, September 10, 2026
- Academy Coaches: Thursday, September 17, 2026
- District Transformation Leads: More information coming soon. Exciting changes are ahead!
By joining a Circle, you are investing in your leadership and your community’s success.
If one of these Circles is not the right fit for your role, please feel free to forward this message to someone else in your community who may benefit.
