Andrew Strope, deputy superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is one of nine education leaders from urban school districts who have been chosen for the second cohort of a program offered by the Council of the Great City Schools to train current and aspiring superintendents.
Strope will participate in the Michael Casserly Urban Executive Leadership Institute for Superintendents, named after the Council’s longtime former executive director. The announcement was recently made at the Council’s 67th Annual Fall Conference in San Diego.
This year’s cohort is diverse, with five men, four women, and six educators of color. A current or past superintendent nominated participants and then had to undergo a rigorous selection process.
“Being a part of this cohort pushes individuals out of their comfort zone and gives them opportunities to grow both professionally and personally,” said Michael Hinojosa, the Council’s Superintendent-in-Residence, who oversees the program. “We’re already hearing of the great progress from the first cohort, so I can’t wait to see how this program will propel each one of these exceptional individuals to new heights as they receive the mentorship, tools, and guidance they need to improve the nation’s urban school systems.”
The second cohort of the Institute begins its leadership journey in February and will participate in monthly sessions through October 2024.
In addition to Strope, the members of the cohort are:
• Rochelle Cox, Interim Superintendent, Minneapolis Public Schools
• Drew Echelson, Chief of Schools, Boston Public Schools
• Karla Estrada, Deputy Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Fateama Fulmore, Deputy Superintendent, NOLA Public Schools
• Jose Martinez, Chief of High Schools, Orange County Public Schools (FL)
• Dexter Moore Jr., Chief of Staff, Oakland Unified School District
• Eric Rosser, Superintendent, Poughkeepsie City School District
• Angela Whitelaw, Deputy Superintendent, Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Cohort members will be allowed to shadow successful urban school superintendents who provide them with advice, guidance, and feedback. While in the eight-month program, participants will gain new skills as they attend sessions on effective leadership, school board relations, academics, media relations, operations, finances, and labor relations.