Five Pathways for Teacher Leadership and Professional Development

At Breck, we believe that when our faculty thrive and feel a deep sense of belonging, our students thrive. Our "Future Focus" strategic plan is dedicated to making Breck the premier school workplace—a culture where excellence is a journey of continuous learning. By intentionally expanding pathways for leadership, we ensure our faculty have meaningful opportunities to grow as both educators and professionals. Below are five examples of how our faculty and staff are empowered to grow as leaders and learners.

1. Leadership Development: The Art of Coaching Teams

In the summer of 2026, leadership teams and specialists from across the school—including the Senior Leadership Team, Academic Leadership Team, Deans, Faculty Fellows, and operational leaders—will participate in a two-day workshop: The Art of Coaching Teams by Bright Morning. Designed to strengthen trust, communication, and collaboration across our leadership groups, this framework is based on the work of Elena Aguilar and provides a practical guide for leading effective teams. It focuses on the essential skills needed to build resilient school communities, offering tools for both the logistics of leadership—such as agenda setting and decision-making—and the emotional intelligence required to maintain a positive and productive environment. By investing in these shared strategies, Breck ensures that our faculty and leaders are well-equipped to support their teams and, ultimately, the entire school community.

2. Faculty Advisory: Guiding Professional Growth

Composed of both teachers and administrators, Faculty Advisory helps guide professional growth at Breck. This collaborative committee ensures that faculty have a direct voice in professional development programs. By bringing together diverse perspectives from across the school, the group connects teachers with professional pathways that match their interests and oversees the approval of school-funded grants. The committee reviews and awards funding for:

• Mid-Year School Visits
• Summer Grants & Curriculum Writing
• Academic Courses
• Sabbaticals

3. The Leadership and Instructional Fellows: Teacher Leadership

Launched in the 2025-26 academic year, this program empowers nine faculty members to serve as divisional leaders focused on the Breck Instructional Framework. These Fellows work in partnership with Melrose and the Peter Clark Centers. The goal of the Leadership and Instructional Fellows is twofold: to build systems for instructional improvement across the school and to empower educators to lead change.

Sarah Flotten, Director of the Peter Clark Center (PCC), highlights the institutional value of the initiative:

“Breck is committed to supporting teacher leaders and creating pathways for faculty to grow. The Leadership and Instructional Fellows create embedded leadership opportunities in each division to support the work of the Breck Instructional Framework.”

For those in the program, the fellowship offers insight into the school's larger ecosystem. Senali Dias Abeygunawardena, Third Grade Teacher, shares:

“Programs like the Leadership and Instructional Fellows have given participants the opportunity to serve as a culture carrier at Breck and gain insight into how the school’s many pieces fit together. I love that I can develop my leadership experience and skills while staying connected to the classroom and the work I love in the Lower School.”

4. Lower School Leadership: Facilitating Alignment and Connection

The Faculty Leadership Team (FLT) and Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) in the Lower School are two examples of formalized structures for leadership and embedded professional development. These teams provide opportunities for leadership growth while creating support structures and feedback loops to enhance curriculum and programming. This model facilitates a partnership between deans, curriculum specialists, and classroom teachers to improve the student experience.

5. Specialized Leadership: Women in Leadership (ISACS)

Breck continues to support leaders through unique regional opportunities like the Women in Leadership workshop hosted by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). This experience is an investment in our faculty as people, professionals, leaders, and change-makers through the lens of being a woman in leadership. Participants learn from one another and leave with a greater sense of self and an action plan for stepping into a new way of being as a leader in their schools, communities, and lives. This program underscores Breck’s commitment to providing diverse avenues for growth that honor individual strengths.

Ashley Keiger, World Language Department Chair, reflects:

“The Women in Leadership workshop through ISACS was the kickstart I needed to settle into my leadership role as Department Chair. It was a reminder that there is a place for me in leadership in big and small ways. It was inspiring to hear other women's stories and what brought them to leadership roles.”

Rachel Green, Lower School Student Support Specialist, adds:

“This experience showed me that without a formal leadership title, I can still grow as a leader; it helped me see the unique strengths I already bring to the table.”

The Goal: A Community Where People Stay and Grow

These pathways embody our commitment to our faculty. By creating space for faculty to lead and influence our direction, we build a culture of true belonging. Supporting our educators' growth ensures Breck remains a home for excellence, where faculty success directly fuels student success.