2026 ACSA Women in School Leadership Forum

Want to level the playing field and build a strong, internal leadership pipeline? This interactive workshop highlights the inspiration, planning, and implementation of Carlsbad USD’s "Partners in Practice," a multi-tiered mentoring program designed to build a robust, equity-centered leadership pipeline.

This session breaks down how we structured three distinct pathways to support leaders at every career stage: Aspiring Administrators, Assistant Principals, and New Principals. We will dive into the practical realities of our successfully launched Aspiring Administrator series and New Principal mentor program, and share how we are mapping out our Assistant Principal development. We will unpack our complete monthly curriculum, covering operational training, school culture and discipline, and sustainability habits, which align with CPSEL standards. Participants will engage with real-world case studies, practice applying coaching frameworks, and leave with plug-and-play resources to launch their own local mentoring program immediately.

3 Key Audience Takeaways:
1. A comprehensive framework to design and scale a multi-tiered internal leadership pipeline.
2. A complete, month-by-month curriculum blueprint covering school operations, instructional leadership, and wellness.
3. Practical protocols for matching mentors, gathering partner feedback, and establishing non-evaluative coaching structures.

This hands‑on workshop teaches participants how to design, launch, and sustain a monthly Girl Boss Dinner—an inclusive, low‑cost peer networking dinner that cultivates mentorship, sponsorship, emotional support, leadership practice, and measurable career advancement for women in school leadership. Participants will leave with a ready-to-implement plan, tools, and practice in facilitation and outreach. By the end of this session participants will be able to:

1. Build a squad that turns casual conversations into supportive alliances
2. Decouple mentorship without bureaucracy
3. Momentum to advocate for each other out loud!

Leadership is not about waiting to be invited—it is about recognizing your value, using your voice, and stepping confidently into spaces where your influence matters. In this engaging and interactive workshop, participants will identify their leadership strengths, practice articulating those strengths in interviews and professional conversations, and explore strategies for gaining access to decision-making spaces. Participants will also reflect on the importance of mentorship and identify the qualities they seek in a trusted female leader who can offer support, perspective, and advocacy. Whether you are aspiring to your next role or seeking to expand your impact in your current one, this session will equip you with practical tools to become unstoppable.