In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the role of a school leader is no longer confined to managing staff and overseeing curriculum. It’s about navigating a post pandemic world, responding to political polarization, embracing technological disruption, and fostering an inclusive environment for every student. Few organizations understand this better than New Leaders, a nonprofit group that has spent over 25 years preparing transformative school leaders across the country. 

“We’re still coming out of a once in a century pandemic,” said Jean Desravines, CEO of New Leaders, in a recent conversation with Praxis. “You compound that with the level of disruption we’re seeing driven by technology, AI, and the political climate—it’s clear that the demands on school leaders have never been higher.” 

A Fellowship Built for the Future 

To meet these challenges head on, New Leaders launched the National Aspiring Principals Fellowship, a groundbreaking online principal preparation program in partnership with historically Black colleges and preeminent higher education institutions like Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, and Bank Street Graduate School of Education. 

The Fellowship is designed to reduce barriers to leadership for all educators, including those serving in under resourced communities. “We really focused on the program being a national cohort,” explained Denise Dennis, Chief of the Fellowship Program. “Whether you’re in a rural school in Texas or an urban school in California, there are shared challenges, and our cohort-based model helps leaders collaborate and problem solve together.” 

Leadership That Lasts 

The results speak volumes. According to Desravines, over 80% of New Leaders alumni remain in their roles five years or more, far above the national average. “Our leaders statistically outperform their peers in math and reading, and they stay in education longer,” he noted. “That’s critical when we’re facing a national shortage of both teachers and principals.” 

But it’s not just about retention, it’s about resilience. The Fellowship emphasizes personal leadership, virtual coaching, and job embedded learning to help participants build the confidence and skills needed to lead through uncertainty. 

“Many educators have a passion for creating change but aren’t sure how to turn that into action,” said Dennis. “We give them the tools and support to manage change and improve outcomes for students.” 

Looking Ahead: AI and the Accelerator 

New Leaders isn’t stopping there. The organization is preparing to launch an AI embedded, competency-based accelerator to fast-track paraprofessionals into certified teaching roles. With nearly a million paraprofessionals in the U.S., this initiative could be a game changer for addressing the teacher shortage. 

“We’re thinking about how to leverage technology to reimagine the teaching profession,” said Desravines. “Not to replace teachers, but to support them by reducing administrative burdens and enabling more personalized learning.” 

A Call to Action 

As the conversation around education reform continues, New Leaders is urging funders and policymakers to think differently about workforce development in K 12. “Going from a teacher to an administrator can increase your salary by $30,000 to $50,000,” Desravines pointed out. “That’s a meaningful shift not just for individuals, but for entire communities.” 

In a time when schools are both at the heart of communities and the frontlines of societal change, investing in strong, adaptive leadership isn’t just smart policy—it’s a moral imperative.