Massachusetts Aspiring Principal Fellowship

The Massachusetts Aspiring Principal Fellowship is a one-year program for aspiring school leaders that seeks to cultivate a strong and diverse pipeline of effective school principals who are committed to championing culturally and linguistically sustaining learning communities, equity-driven leadership, and anti-racist practices.

Join the 2025-26 School Year Aspiring Principal Fellowship

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) understands the pivotal role that school leaders play in empowering student success and achievement. To this end, DESE has established the Massachusetts Aspiring Principal Fellowship, a one-year program for aspiring school leaders that seeks to cultivate a strong and diverse pipeline of effective school principals who are committed to championing culturally and linguistically sustaining learning communities, equity-driven leadership, and anti-racist practices. This program aims to inspire and empower aspiring principals to lead with vision, passion, and purpose and to create a brighter future for all students. DESE has contract The Lynch Leadership Academy as the vendor for this program.

Who should apply?

Educators who have:

Aspirations to move into the principalship* role within the next 1–3 years.
A strong and unwavering commitment to equity for all students.
An openness to learning and growing within a collaborative community of adult learners.

*This fellowship is not a licensure route, but the program of study is aligned with the Professional Standards and Indicators for Administrative Leadership. The Aspiring Principals Fellowship is aligned with many programmatic requirements for the Administrative Apprenticeship/Internship route to licensure. Additional licensure requirements may still need to be met. Find more here: Public | License Requirements | ELAR Licensure

What can fellows and mentors expect from the Massachusetts Aspiring Principal Fellowship?

Designed for both fellows and their mentors, participants will engage in 12 to 14 hours of high-quality, job-embedded professional development and coaching with a combination of virtual or on-site monthly meetings (four virtual and four on-site), field-based experiences, engaging feedback cycles with mentors, and individual coaching with the vendor to advance the following:

Understand and demonstrate culturally responsive and linguistically sustaining practices, equity-driven leadership, and anti-racist leadership competencies.
Disrupt and transform leadership practices by prioritizing cultural responsiveness, equity, and anti-racism.
Engage in high-impact, equity-centered coaching aligned with the Professional Standards for Administrative Leadership.
Engage in experiences in areas identified as essential for success as school leaders in Massachusetts public schools.
Prioritize racial equity in instruction, curriculum, and leadership and to acknowledge the impact of race on their work.
Develop the skills and tools to create a supportive and healthy learning environment for all students, fostering their sense of worth and connection while preparing them for academic excellence and success in Massachusetts public schools.
Build a network of professional peers to foster learning and support.
This program is not a licensure program and does not support the completion of the Massachusetts Performance Assessment for Leaders (PAL).

Fellow Eligibility

Educators with a minimum of 3 years of experience working in a school setting.
Educators currently employed and will be employed in SY 2025-2026 in a Massachusetts public school.
Educators with a minimum of 3 years of experience working in a school setting.

Mentor Eligibility

At least three full years of experience under an Initial or Professional Principal/Assistant Principal license. Charter school leaders must meet the requirements as outlined in Charter School Technical Advisory 20-1.
Trained as a mentor in the professional role of Assistant Principal/Principal as defined in 603 CMR 7.02.
Currently employed and will be employed in school year 2025-2026 in the same Massachusetts public school as the fellow. Time Commitment:
- Participation in four 7.5-hour professional development sessions scheduled for:
  - August 2025
  - October 2025
  - January 2026
  - March 2026
- 3–7 hours per month dedicated to supporting fellows with field-based experiences within the school building.

How to Apply?

The application will open on November 15, 2024. The priority deadline for applications is January 31, 2025. The application requires completed submissions from both the fellow and mentor, and both components must be submitted to be considered for review. Once the fellow's application is submitted, the mentor will automatically receive a link to complete their portion. Fellows are encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline to ensure both parts are completed on time.

Fellow: 2025-2026 Application
Mentor: 2025-2026 Application

Application Launch: November 15, 2024
Priority Submission Date: January 31, 2025
Application Submission Window: November 15, 2024 – March 7, 2025
Fellowship Interviews: February 2025 – March 2025
Notification of Final Fellow Selection: May 2, 2025

Mentors and Fellows must obtain approval for participation from their Superintendent or Executive Director before official acceptance into the program.

Learn More About the Program

Join one of our upcoming informational sessions to learn more about the Massachusetts Aspiring Principal Fellowship. These sessions offer an overview of the program, including the application process, fellowship benefits, and a chance to ask questions.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024, @ 3:30–4:30 pm
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, @ 9:00–10:00 am

Additional Questions?

Please email Dr. Joretha Lewis and Eric Washington .

Last Updated: December 19, 2024