MLDS Toolbox for District Leaders 

The primary purpose of the Missouri Leadership Development System (MLDS) is the development and support of effective school leaders. Effective school leadership is an essential factor to ensure equitable access to excellent education for all Missouri students.

MLDS Mission: 

The Missouri Leadership Development System is a comprehensive research-based program which ensures every student in Missouri will attend school with an effective and confident leader by developing, supporting, and refining the leadership capacity of all Missouri school principals.

MLDS Vision:

•MLDS is a national model for continuous leadership development.

•MLDS is known, trusted, sought-after professional development and support for ALL Education Leaders in Missouri.

•100% participation in MLDS by Missouri Principals.

MLDS Core Values:

Equity (statewide consistency), Fidelity, Sustainability, Relevance, High Quality

MLDS is implemented statewide through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the nine Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC). The Central RPDC serves 14 counties in the West Central Missouri area in and around the University of Central Missouri. MLDS uses a curriculum designed by and for Missouri principals. The topics covered in each level of MLDS are topical, emergent, and proven to be of great use to new and developing principals.

MLDS is a competency-based system rooted in five transformational domains. MLDS seeks to support leaders as visionary, instructional, managerial, relational, and innovative. The system is further organized into experience levels. The Emerging Level is intended for principals or assistant principals in their first and second year of leadership experience. The Developing Level is for principals or assistant principals in their third and fourth years. The third year of MLDS encompasses the Missouri Leadership Academy Experience (including the Outdoor Leadership Experience). More advanced principals can take part in the Transformational Level of MLDS curriculum.

Participants in the Central Region MLDS have access to regional meetings, conferences, coaching labs, one-to-one mentoring (at the Emerging Level), and online events.

This flyer gives some details about MLDS. We invite you to reach out to the Central MLDS Specialists if you have further questions.

For testimonial information, see our MLDS Impact page.

MLDS is a comprehensive system that encompasses principals and assistant principals from aspiring to retiring. Whatever the experience level, we have support for you.  We consider years of experience as the determining factor about which level of participation is right for each person.

• Year 1 Principals or Assistant Principals (MLDS 1): This is the intial phase of connection with MLDS and perhaps the most crucial for long-lasting success. MLDS provides the following support for the first year principal:

  • Three day-long regional meetings with the first session held in late July or early August to address critical first-time epxeriences,

  • Two half-day Coaching Labs at area schools,

  • Access to specific Learning Experiences from the Emerging Level Curriculum,

  • Central MLDS provides connection with a trained Mentor and at least 20 hours of mentor/mentee contact (helping to meet DESE requirements). Mentors are encouraged to attend regional meetings with their mentees for increased contact and connection. Beginning in 2025-2026, mentoring will be provided through MLDS, MAESP, and/or MOASSP. There will be a cost associated with the level of mentoring that a new principal (along with their superintendent) chooses.  More details will follow soon.

  • Access to continuous support from the Central MLDS Specialists,

  • Register Year 1 Principals and Assistant Principals here.      Complete this registration form (with Superintendent signature)

• Year 2 Principals or Assistant Principals (MLDS 2): The second year is a continuation of year 1 themes and ideas. MLDS provides:

  • Three day-long regional meetings,

  • Two half-day Coaching Labs at area schools,

  • Access to specific Learning Experiences from the Emerging Level Curriculum,

  • Central MLDS provides continuing connection with a trained Mentor and at least 20 hours of mentor/mentee contact (helping to meet DESE requirements). Mentors are encouraged to attend regional meetings with their mentees for increased contact and connection. For 2025-2026, MLDS 2 principals will remain connected with their mentor from the previous year. Cost of this mentor connection has not yet been determined.

  • Access to continuous support from the Central MLDS Specialists,

  • Register Year 2 Principals and Assistant Principals here.

• Year 3 Principals or Assistant Principals (MLDS 3): Continuing on the Emerging Level foundation, the Developing level provides opportunities for leaders to apply their learning to their local context. MLDS Developing Level 1 provides the following to third year leaders:

  • Three day-long regional meetings,

  • One day-long Coaching Lab at an area school,

  • Statewide Leadership Academy,

    • Kickoff Meeting in June (two to three days)-features statewide networking and nationally-known speakers,

    • Outdoor Leadership Academy (four days in late October),

    • Winter Meeting in February (two days)-features statewide networking and nationally-known speakers,

    • Graduation in June (two to three days)-features statewide networking and nationally-known speakers,

  • Access to specific Learning Experiences from the Developing Level Curriculum,

  • Access to continuous support from the Central MLDS Specialists,

  • The nominal cost of $500* is payable to the Central RPDC. Pay the Central RPDC directly.  A portion of this fee goes toward the Outdoor Leadership Experience.

  • Separate registration for Leadership Academy and Regional Sessions are required.

• Year 4 and beyond (Transformational and Continuing Cohort-MLDS 4): After three years of leading experience, principals and assistant principals can participate in the Central MLDS Continuing Transformational Cohort. This group continues the Developing Level curriculum and forges into the Transformational Level curriculum. Featuring two regional meetings and two Coaching Labs, this group supports principals by exploring solutions to emergent problems of practice. This cohort adds new members each year and strives to help principals further refine their professional practice and network with other administrators. The cost for each participant is $200* and covers materials, meeting space, parking passes, and lunch. Register here for the Continuing Transformational Cohort. 

• Assistant Principal Networking and Support Cohort: The Assistant Principal Networking & Support sessions are sdesigned for assistant principals at any level of service or experience. Participants will actively engage in networking with other APs to grow as visionary, innovative, relational, instructional, and managerial leaders. Although assistant principals may be attending regular MLDS Emerging or Developing Level sessions, the MLDS Assistant Principal Networking and Support sessions are specifically tailored for the assistant principal. These four half-day sessions are open to any assistant principal regardless of previous participation in MLDS activities. The cost for each participant is $100* and covers materials, meeting space, and parking passes. Register here for the Assistant Principal Networking and Support Cohort.

*Cost recovery fees are subject to change.

MLDS 1 (Year 1): There is no cost to the individual or district. Register here.

• Tuesday, July 28, 2026: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Tuesday, September 29, 2026:  8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026: Coaching Lab. Location TBA. All day.

• Wednesday, January 13, 2027: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Tuesday, February 16, 2027. Coaching Lab. Location TBA. All day.

• *Beginning in 2025-2026 mentoring will be faciliatated by a partnership of MLDS, MAESP, and/or MOASSP. 

MLDS 2 (Year 2): There is no cost to the individual or district.  Register here.

• Thursday, July 30, 2026: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Wednesday, September 30, 2026: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Tuesday, October 13, 2026: Coaching Lab. Location TBA. All day.

• Thursday, January 28, 2027: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Wednesday, February 17, 2027. Coaching Lab. Location TBA. All day.

MLDS 3 /Leadership Academy (Year 3): $500* cost payable to the Central RPDC. Register separately for statewide Leadership Academy and Regional Sessions.

• Monday, June 8, 2026 - Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Summer Leadership Academy Kickoff: Wyndam Executive Center, Columbia, MO. Provide your own accommodations. Some meals provided. 

• Tuesday, September 15, 2026:  Regional Session #1. 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus, RPDC Classroom. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Thursday October 8, 2026: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Regional Session #2. UCM Campus, RPDC Classroom. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Wednesday, November 4 - Saturday, November 7, 2026. Outdoor Leadership Experience. Camp Lakewood, Potosi, MO. (All days required).

• Wednesday, December 2, 2026: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Regional Coaching Lab at a local school location TBA. All day.

• Wednesday, January 20 through Thursday, January 21, 2027. Winter Meeting. Wyndam Executive Center, Columbia, MO. Provide your own accommodations. Some meals are provided.

• Tuesday, February 23, 2027: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Regional Session #3. UCM Campus, RPDC Classroom. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Wednesday, June 9, 2027 - Thursday, June 10, 2027. Wyndam Executive Center, Columbia, MO. Provide your own accommodations. Some meals provided.

Continuing Transformational Cohort (Year 4 and beyond): $200* cost payable to the Central RPDC. Register here.

• Thursday, September 3, 2026: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus, RPDC Classroom. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Tuesday, October 27, 2026: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus, Elliott Student Union Room 219. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

• Wednesday, December 2, 2026: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Regional Coaching Lab at a local school location TBA. All day.

• Tuesday, January 12, 2027: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., UCM Campus, RPDC Classroom. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

• Wednesday, February  24, 2027: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. UCM Campus, RPDC Classroom. Breakfast & Lunch provided.

*Cost Recovery Fees are subject to change.

New Principals Conference

The New Principals Conference is co-sponsored by the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP), the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (MoASSP), and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

• Who: First-year principals

• When: The New Principals Conference is June  16-17, 2026.

• Where: Courtyard by Marriott, 3301 Lemone Industrial Blvd., Columbia, MO 65201

• Cost: Depending upon registration type a membership in MAESP or MOASSP

• Registration is available through MAESP and MOASSP.

Building Your Leadership Capacity

• Who: Educators interested in Educational Leadership (superintencency, directorship, principalship, etc.)

• When: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on the following dates:

  • Tuesday,  October 20, 2026. 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. RPDC Classroom.

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026. 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. RPDC Classroom.

  • Thursday, December 3, 2026. 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. RPDC Classroom.

  • Friday, January 29, 2027. 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. RPDC Classroom.

• Where: UCM Campus.

• Cost: $200

• Enroll here.

For a First Year principal or assistant principal with no MLDS experience:

• Review information for MLDS Emerging Level 1

• Complete the MLDS 1 Registation Form and return it to the Central MLDS Specialists

• Register your new principal for the MLDS 1 sessions on Frontline

• Register for the New Principal's Conference

For a new principal or assistant principal in their second year of principalship:

• Determine if the new principal participated in MLDS (if so, they already have a mentor)

• Be sure the second year leader is registered for MLDS  2 at the Central RPDC

For a new principal or assistant principal in their third year of prinicipalship:

• Encourage your principal's participation in the statewide Leadership Academy

• Be sure the new principal is registered for Leadership Academy and MLDS 3 Regional Sessions

For any other new principal or assistant principal:

• Determine if your new principal or assistant principal has any MLDS experience

• Encourage them to register for the appropriate level of MLDS Support

• See our MLDS Spectrum of Support Flyer

If you have questions, use one of the contact methods below to reach out to your Central Region MLDS Specialists!

“An effective principal’s impact is stronger and broader than previously thought, making it ‘difficult to envision’ a higher return on investment in K–12 education than the cultivation of high-quality school leadership.” (Wallace, 2021) 

Over 2,000 principals across Missouri are advancing their leadership learning through MLDS. The idea of being the lead learner is not just a convenient notion, it sets the tone for adult learning in your building.

MLDS provides school leaders with three important development tools:

• Leadership Learning

• Implementation Support

• Peer Networking

"I firmly believe the Missouri Leadership Development System is a necessary and positive experience for all of Missouri’s school leaders. The learning process of being a strong leader cannot stop with the earning of a degree. As we face a variety of challenges in our school, we need leaders who understand how to lead through difficult times, maintain a strong and positive school culture, and connect with other leaders for problem-solving in the region and the state. I would strongly urge all superintendents to provide their principals with the opportunity for this experience. A few days a year can make the difference for a school and its students for a long time." Steve Ritter, Superintendent-Warrensburg R-VI School District

"Growing educators is a passion of mine! I believe that supporting new educators doesn’t stop at classroom teachers. The MLDS program provides this support to new administrators. As a former MLDS participant and a current MLDS mentor, being a part of this support system has allowed me to grow as a building administrator and now have the opportunity to support new administrators. It is not breaking news that education continues to be a challenging, yet rewarding field to work in. The professional development and relationships that are made through MLDS become a resource and lifeline." Heather Shaffer, Principal-Warrensburg R-6 School District 

For more testimonial information, see our MLDS Impact page.