DESE’s #Influence100 Now Accepting District Applications for SY2020-2022 Cohort  

Influence 100 is a DESE initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of superintendents in Massachusetts, create more culturally responsive districts and leaders across the state, and promote better outcomes for students. It includes two components:

1. A two-year fellowship program for rising leaders who desire to move into the superintendent role in the next five years. Influence 100 fellows participate in monthly leadership development programming that emphasizes the nuances of leading in a superintendent role in Massachusetts, with a focus on what it takes to lead a district to be more culturally responsive and intentional in diversifying the educator workforce to better serve all students.  DESE is partnering with the New York City Leadership Academy  on this programming.  
2. Support for participating districts to become more culturally responsive and to engage in intentional strategy development and execution around diversifying their educator workforce.  Influence 100 is a two-year engagement with DESE that includes professional development and technical assistance for district leadership teams to enhance their strategic planning for equity. 

To Apply:

Districts must complete the ONLINE APPLICATION by June 5.  DESE may reach out to applicants for additional information to support their application. Districts will be notified by June 15 if they were selected to participate.  Selected districts will identify up to two staff members to participate in the Influence 100 Fellowship Program, with guidance and criteria provided by DESE.   To be selected, districts must demonstrate a strong commitment from the superintendent and school committee to developing an intentional strategy around diversifying their educator workforce, as well as supporting an Influence 100 fellow/s from their district to participate in the leadership development program and district-based mentorship.  DESE will select up to 15 districts and 25 fellows for Cohort 2, joining the network of 15 districts and 26 fellows currently participating in the SY2019-2021 Cohort.  

This is a no-cost opportunity to districts.  If selected, participating fellows receive a small stipend from DESE.