The Diverse Leader Network (DLN) originated from the Advance Illinois Educator Pipeline Group and received support from the W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation. DLN is designed to mobilize a statewide collective focused on strategies for recruitment, development, placement, and retention of a leadership pipeline of district and school leaders that reflects the diversity of students in the state.
The following is the problem statement and goal developed by the DLN.
Problem Statement: Among in-state and out-of-state teachers of color, there is a lack of interest in leadership opportunities, a lack of incentives to become a leader, a lack of clarity around the experiences necessary to become a leader, and a lack of support (and/or knowledge about existing supports) necessary to enter and stay in the teacher leader and principal profession. These supports include school, district, and community supports.
Goal: “By June 15th, we will have developed a Call to Action that includes state recommendations designed to increase the number and diversity of principal candidates entering and staying in the profession.”
The Diverse Leader Network (DLN) is made up of advocates, institutions, educators, and agency leaders.
Members of DLN Partner Organizations and Individuals
Name |
Organization |
Name |
Organization |
Erika Hunt, Chair |
LEAD Hub at ROE #17 |
Cynthia Barron, Chair |
EdD Urban Ed Leadership, UIC |
Patrick Rice, Staff |
Black Educator Advocacy Coalition |
Marty McGreal |
DDSL, ISBE |
Ernesto Matias |
ISBE |
Sean Banks |
Hunt Institute |
Diana Zaleski |
Illinois Education Association |
Rachel Roegman |
College of Ed, UIUC |
Jim O’Connor |
Advance Illinois |
David Ardrey |
Assoc. of IL Rural and Small Schools |
Paul Bruno |
College of Ed, UIUC |
Edwin Monarrez |
College of Ed, UIUC |
Elizabeth Alvarez |
IL Assoc of Latino Admin and Superintendents |
Shyla Kinhal |
Leading Educators |
Mark Klaisner |
Illinois Assoc of Regional Superintendents of Schools |
Nakia Hall |
Illinois Association of School Board Association |
Laurie Elish-Piper |
College of Education, NIU |
Dana Butler |
Illinois Principals Association |
Sue Homes |
Illinois Principals Association |
Darlene Ruscitti |
DuPage ROE |
Pallavi Abraham |
Teachers Supporting Teachers |
Jamar Scott |
Springfield District #186 |
Ed Howerton |
IL Council of Professors of Ed Admin |
Devin McFarland |
Dept of Principal Quality, CPS |
Mike Herring |
Talent Management, CPS |
Beulah McCloyd |
New Leaders |
Lisa Skelly |
Lead Hub at ROE #17 |