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The Department of District and School Leadership will partner with stakeholders to foster a robust leadership pipeline that reflects the diversity of our students.

DDSL will support stakeholders as they recruit, coach and retain high-quality, equity-minded education leaders who support and reflect the diversity of our students. ​

New Principal Mentoring Program​

How to Apply to the New​ Principal Mentoring Program 

The New Principal Mentoring Program will provide all new principals with access to individualized mentoring that builds leadership capacity and reduces principal turnover, particularly for diverse leaders and in schools serving diverse students. The State of Illinois has set aside $1.2 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to support delivery of principal mentoring to all new principals during their first year.

The New Principal Mentoring Program will match new principals in their first year of employment in Illinois with veteran principals who have demonstrated success as instructional leaders.

Interested principals can contact any of these providers for more information: 

Principal Recruitment Program

How to Apply to the Principal Recruitment Program

The Department of District and School Leadership is supporting approved providers as they recruit, coach and retain high-quality, equity-minded education leaders who support and reflect the diversity of our students. This initiative is funded through a $1.8 million state appropriation.

Approved Providers

There are currently five approved providers, each of which has a unique approach and focus. Applicants may pursue an opportunity with any provider that they see as a good fit. For more information, please contact any of the approved providers listed below. If you have general questions, you may contact Shawn Walsh at swalsh@isbe.net.

Ed Leaders Network

​​ELN LogoThe Illinois Principals Association has partnered with the Illinois State Board of Education to provide access to Ed Leaders Network (ELN) for all public school educators in the state! This includes certified and non-certified staff currently employed within a school or district. ELN access will continue to be provided by ISBE through fiscal year 2022, pending annual appropriation.

For more information, please go to edleadersnetwork.org.​​​

New Superintendent Mentoring Program

​​ELN LogoThe Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education, provides mentoring and support for new sup​erintendents in their first three years. A new superintendent is paired with a retired superintendent, who serves as an IASA field services director. The IASA Administrative Team also provides support to early career superintendents.  The field services directors and IASA staff provide one-on-one mentoring, assistance, and training that help new superintendents succeed in their new leadership role.

For more information, please go to Illinois Association of School Administrators.​​​​​​​​​

Archived Information

New Principal Mentoring Program​

Technical Assistance Webinar:

Program Resources:

Additional Information:

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Contact Information