The 2023-24 Lead for Learners Steering Committee identified a critical need to create a defined set of skills educators need to successfully and sustainably lead systems change. Through design sessions facilitated by KnowledgeWorks, the Portrait of Leader project emerged as a priority action step.

Similar to how a learning community’s shared vision for learners is captured in a Portrait of Learner, the Portrait of a Leader will serve as a collective vision for the knowledge, skills and dispositions educators need to lead education systems change through personalized, competency-based learning.

Through surveys, focus groups and design workshops, educators across the country are working together to create a foundation for leadership development resources and professional learning pathways to support current and emerging leaders at all levels of the education system.