Leadership in Motion: How the Education Leaders' Experience Is Reshaping South Carolina’s Leadership Landscape

When leaders across South Carolina entered the Education Leaders Experience (ELE), they didn’t just gain new knowledge; they entered a new way of thinking about themselves, their teams, and the work ahead. From seasoned administrators to newly placed district leaders, the Iota Cohort has become a living example of how intentional leadership development fosters transformation across systems.

ELE is not a sit-and-get program. It is a community of practice, a space for challenge and reflection, and a platform where leaders learn not only from facilitators but also from one another.

From retreat sessions and leadership style assessments to micro-credentials and storytelling activities, each experience is designed to stretch participants in ways that lead to sustainable growth.

For LaWana Robinson-Lee, the shift was immediate: “This experience shifted my thinking.” For others, the change was gradual but no less impactful. Felicia Madden reflected, “ELE allowed me the time and space to be around a diverse group of educators to gain knowledge and ideas to take back to my district.”

Participants frequently cited the concept of exposure. Austrai Bradley shared, “Animation studio right here in SC. Mind-blown.” Karla Harper noted, “Each session will allow me to bring back information to my colleagues and, most importantly, opportunities for students. Key Word of the day: Exposure.”

These experiences weren’t limited to professional settings. They reflected ELE’s deeper mission: to build leadership capacity across systems by showing what collaboration and shared vision can look like when people feel connected and seen.

Across districts and roles, four major themes emerged from the voices of participants:

1. Community, Networking, and Belonging
   ELE built a bridge between educators across regions, roles, and systems. That sense of community mattered deeply for participants new to the state or their position.“Being new to the area, I was able to access this network of talent and knowledge to help me grow,” shared one leader. Another, Kendra Harper, wrote, “As a new resident of the state, this was an excellent opportunity to meet and engage with new leaders.”Education leaders are not afforded many opportunities to expand their networks and perspectives beyond the four walls of their buildings during traditional work hours. ELE provides community building opportunities, creating new curriculum and workforce development opportunities for learners and educators alike.

2. Leadership Self-Awareness and Style
   Many leaders left the ELE with a new understanding of how they lead and how they could grow. Dr. Carolyn Donelan shared, “The leadership assessments allowed me to reflect on my leadership strengths and concerns. I plan on sharing these results with my staff to discuss ways to flex my style to fit their needs.”Others noted how their styles had evolved. Julia Kaczor reflected, “The ELE ‘What’s My Leadership Style’ identified my strength as Spirited, which shows my evolution since I once was Direct. This change shows my transformation as an instructional leader.”Participants were encouraged not to be defined by one style but to recognize the range of leadership tools available. One participant noted, “The activities we participated in made us rethink what we thought we knew about ourselves.”

3. From Reflection to Action
   ELE participants didn’t just reflect; they brought the learning back to their districts. Casey Faulkenberry explained, “Moving forward, I plan to use a strategic approach for groups or teams to begin their work by focusing on collective commonalities and then working out to individual needs.”Others spoke about leading with greater purpose and delegation. Inspired by speaker Ron Harvey, Melissa Moore shared, “I plan to lead with less intervention and more delegation, allowing my team to grow in their leadership skills and to create a sense of purpose, a supportive environment, and open communication.”Susan Hendricks reflected, “My mission should be my focus for all I do. Everything else will fall into place if it fits with my values and purpose.”

These insights from the Iota Cohort reveal a deep commitment to community, innovation, resilience, and connection, both within and beyond the field of education. As the Iota Cohort of the Education Leaders Experience continues, its participants are already reshaping the leadership landscape in South Carolina. Through personal growth, professional insight, and deep connection, ELE creates more than leadership development. It is making a leadership movement.