CEL Online: New Pathways to Leadership Development
Our education system needs leaders who understand and can navigate complex system dynamics, effectively engage with colleagues and communities, and design innovative solutions to help every young person thrive. In an era where educational leadership has never been more crucial, the National Equity Project (NEP) has taken a significant step forward with the launch of their Center for Equity Leadership (CEL) Online. This digital platform translates NEP's 30 years of experience in leadership development into an accessible, self-paced learning environment for educational leaders.
Reimagining Leadership Development
CEL Online represents more than just a digital translation of existing content. "We didn't just convert materials, we reimagined how to maintain the depth, impact, and humanizing experience of NEP's facilitation in a self-paced environment,” explains Sunni Harris, Product Development Manager at NEP whose background includes K-12, adult education, and university-level course design. The team's methodical approach and creative reimagining transforms NEP's proven strategies into a powerful and engaging online learning experience.
The platform offers four comprehensive courses covering essential aspects of educational leadership: Coaching and Managing for Equity, Designing and Facilitating Meetings for Equity, Liberatory Design for Equity, and Leading for Equity in Complexity. Each course is designed to build practical skills while fostering deep reflection and systemic thinking.
Impact on Educational Leaders
Leaders across diverse educational settings are already using CEL Online to transform their approach to equity-centered work. "This online module got me thinking deeper about parts that I thought I knew and provided me with greater clarity of what and how to lead for change," Winnie Tsoi Hardie, Executive Director of Teacher and Administrator Development at San Mateo County Office of Education, shares.
CEL Online’s versatility extends beyond traditional educational settings. April Spisak, Supervising Librarian at Albany Public Library, has leveraged the program's principles to reshape her approach to community engagement. "Most of my professional career is built around stories: teaching storytelling, reading stories to young people, incorporating stories into how we can talk about our library work in more meaningful ways than statistics," she explains. "It is my firm belief that sharing stories can be a powerful tool in building relational trust – and that, as public libraries, we can facilitate spaces for that to happen." Spisak has already applied CEL Online insights to develop innovative programming that encourages self-reflection and creates spaces for meaningful community connection.
Building for Sustainable Change
What sets CEL Online apart is its focus on practical application and systemic change. As Harris emphasizes, "This isn't just about quick fixes - it's about slowing down to do the self-awareness and 'mirror and window work' that isn't just a cliché." The program encourages leaders to make meaningful shifts in their approach, recognizing that even small changes can create "ripples of positive change throughout their context."
The platform’s design reflects NEP's core belief that leadership isn't limited by role or position. Instead, it embraces the idea that anyone can contribute to shaping their environment and creating positive change. Through interactive activities, tools, and regular opportunities for self-reflection, CEL Online helps participants develop the skills and competencies needed to navigate complex educational systems.
“NEP’s leadership development approach moves far beyond individual awareness and representation,” shares NEP Executive Director, LaShawn Routé Chatmon. “We develop leaders to transform the systems, structures, and practices that stand in the way of every young person getting what they need to thrive.”
Looking Forward
CEL Online stands as a testament to NEP's commitment to making leadership development more accessible and impactful for educators across the country. The program’s growing library of resources and future community of practice promise to support leaders in their ongoing journey toward creating more equitable educational environments.
"Even if someone makes just one small shift in how they lead, that shift can create ripples of positive change throughout their context,” Harris reflects. In this way, CEL Online isn't just a training platform – it's a catalyst for the transformative leadership our educational systems need.
