Transforming Principal Diversity: Uncommon Schools Lead from Within Fellowship Program Empowers Leaders of Color

Where would I be without the mentorship and tutelage of Julie Jackson? Yes, Julie Jackson has impacted the careers of countless school leaders across the educational landscape. For me personally, I struggle to name all of the countless ways Julie has seen me, poured into my development as an educator, delivered tough feedback when I needed it most, and genuinely advocated on my behalf when I was struggling to navigate traditionally white dominant structures.

Now, as a senior leader of color in education, I take my role and responsibility to pay it forward very seriously. As a 2022 Bookings Institute article uncovered, in 2000, 39% of students identified as non-white, while only 18% of principals identified as non-white. By 2017, the number of non-white students rose to 52%, but the percentage of non-white principals lagged at 22%, widening the gap by nine percentage points. The lack of racial diversity within the principal workforce presents a significant opportunity gap. As I reflected on my own journey, it became clear to me that in order to narrow this gap, it will take intentional support, programming, and mentoring. This is exactly what we set out to accomplish when we founded the Uncommon Schools Lead from Within Fellowship program.

The Lead from Within Fellowship program recognizes the urgent need for greater principal diversity. It strives to create a community of leaders who are seen, valued, and heard, while developing key leadership skills to address the crucial work of guiding students to college and career success. The program focuses on identifying and discussing critical leadership values, offering exclusive professional development sessions to refine leadership voices, enhance decision-making skills, and employ diverse problem-solving strategies. Fellows receive personalized mentorship from senior school leaders of color, fostering a close-knit cohort experience where leaders of color can share successes, collaborate, and discuss unique ideas. “Before coming to Uncommon, I didn’t have many examples of other leaders of color.” says Lead from Within Fellow and Roxbury Prep High School Principal, Chelsea McWilliams. “I can’t speak enough about how transformative it’s been to be with other leaders of color who are facing similar challenges.” Yet this opening does not only serve as a means of engaging students—it sets up the driving question of the day.

The Uncommon Schools Lead from Within Fellowship is currently accepting interest from and nominations for principals of color entering their 1st-3rd year of the role at traditional district and charter schools. This is an opportunity to receive exclusive professional development, mentorship, and community. Please visit our new website and learn more about the Lead from Within Fellowship program and get on our email list for future updates.

Chief Schools Officer, K-8

Juliana Worrell

Juliana Worrell is the Chief Schools Officer, K-8 for Uncommon Schools. She oversees the instructional program for 45 elementary and middle schools across New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Juliana is the co-author of the book Great Habits, Great Readers, and leads trainings at the heart of education reform that develop teachers and school leaders in areas such as literacy, data analysis, curriculum planning, and classroom instruction. Juliana is spearheading a remote learning program that provides Uncommon ‘s 21,000 students with an education focused on college-readiness through the COVID-19 pandemic, and is developing an approach to classroom management and student discipline that is rooted in culturally responsive teaching and anti-racism.