Learning While Leading
Candidate Information
Accepting application and materials for all candidates from rural schools only through July 31, 2023.
If you are using a Google Account: If you are using an email account other than Google:
Important Dates
Application opens on April 14, 2023
Application materials due June 16, 2023, rolling admissions for rural candidates only through July 31, 2023
LWL participant notification by July 7, 2023
LWL Virtual Orientation occurring during last week of July and first week of August (must attend one orientation)
LWL Candidate Criteria
Be certified with a principal endorsement on their Illinois license or currently enrolled in a program leading to licensure (required);
Currently not be serving in a principal position;
1+ years experience in current school and intent to stay in their current school during the program year (2023-2024) (preferred);
Intend to apply for a principal or assistant principal position in Illinois (in their current school or another school/district) that starts in 2024-25 (preferred); and
Serve in a school that administers the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (or SATs) and the 5 Essentials Survey.
Learning While Leading Project Purpose
To address the principal shortage by identifying high-potential teachers and teacher leaders with principal certification (Type 75 or principal endorsement) and preparing them to successfully fill assistant principal or principal vacancies, especially in rural and low-income schools.
Learning While Leading Program Description
The Learning While Leading (LWL) Program is a federally funded program coordinated through the ROE Lead Hubs to prepare educators who already have a principal endorsement on their license and intend to stay in the same school during the program year (2023-24). The goal of the LWL program is to enable participants to successfully apply in the 2023-24 school year for an assistant principal or principal position starting in the 2024-25 school year.
Through the program, participants receive:
Pre-service training and coaching that supports participants in leading a team of teachers through a Learning Cycle process, which includes using data to identify a problem with student learning, selecting a responsive instructional strategy, and monitoring results to inform improvement;
Coaching, professional networking opportunities, and resume-building experiences that help participants seek and secure principal or assistant principal positions; and
Induction and coaching support for the first year on the job as new principal or assistant principal.
Through the LWL program, candidates will:
Separate themselves from other principal/assistant principal candidates to improve their competitiveness in the job market;
Succeed as a new school principal/assistant principal because they will receive coaching and networked supports in the formative first year on the job; and
Locate schools that are a good fit for them, as a new principal or assistant principal.
LWL Candidate Application Materials
Accepting application and materials for all candidates from rural schools only through July 1, 2023.
If you are using a Google Account: If you are using an email account other than Google:
Lead Hubs
If you have any questions, please contact the Lead Ed Hub Coordinator in your service area:
Service Area 1: Deborah Doyle, ddoyle@dupageroe.org, Regional Office of Education #19
Service Area 2: Scott Kuffel,skuffel@bhsroe.org, Regional Office of Education #28
Service Area 3: Michaela Fray-Tappe, mfray@roe1.net, Regional Office of Education #1
Service Area 4: Erika Hunt, hunte@roe17.org, Regional Office of Education #17
Service Area 5: Martha Weld, mweld@sscroe50.org, Regional Office of Education #50
Service Area 6: Pam Walden, pwalden@roe21.org, Regional Office of Education #21