Computer Science
Innovative Leaders Institute
Designed for Innovators, by Innovators
Leadership Practices
Knowledge Sharing
Network Building
About the Computer Science Innovative Leaders Institute
The Computer Science Innovative Leaders Institutes (ILI) are year-long training and mentoring experiences for educators led by some of the top innovative educators in Tennessee.
The ILI provides participants opportunities to network with other building-level leaders from across the state, visit innovative Tennessee STEM Designated Schools to examine different models of STEM integration, and share best practices and resources with the expectation of creating an innovative process or school improvement around a focus area.
This year there will be two cohorts designed to meet educators where they are with in-person kickoffs.
Applications are closed for the 2024-25 cohorts.
Kickoff In-person Meeting Dates in Smyrna
ILI Foundations: August 27, 2024
ILI Focus: August 28, 2024
Foundation Cohort
ILI Foundation will be a cohort that focuses on building a schoolwide STEM culture, introduces PBL teaching strategies, and offers both insights and models from existing TN STEM/STEAM Designated Schools.
The ILI Foundation cohort is a great place to start if you are thinking about applying for STEM/STEAM Designation. Other individuals from your school may have participated in the past, but this is designed as an introduction to STEM. It will involve up to 4 days commitment out of the classroom, over the course of the year, for in-person and virtual sessions. Some help is available to meet sub costs.
In this new iteration, schools will apply to participate in teams up to 4 from your school where:
- No team members have participated in a previous ILI cohort,
- At least one team member is an administrator or has administrative/staff PD duties,
- At least one team member is a counselor or serves the school with counseling/scheduling duties, and
- At least one team member is a leader/influencer among your staff. They do not need to be in a titled position, but should be someone other staff follow as a leader.
Focus Cohort
ILI Focus will be a cohort that focuses on leading a staff through change, such as building whole-staff buy-in to integrate computer science into all classrooms. This cohort may be repeated by schools and/or individuals and each school must send a team of at least two participants. There are no required job roles for this cohort, but the best participants will be those who lead or have influence among the staff in general.
The ILI Focus cohort will meet in-person 3 times over the year and each team will complete a capstone project that leads a change effort in your school. The learning activities are designed to provide tools and strategies to effectively implement change in a school organization.
Testimonials
"The experience was great for networking. I realized STEM or STEAM is not a one-size-fits-all approach. So grateful for the connections and innovation of other leaders."
When asked "what are some things you learned about your staff or community by participating in ILI?" two participants stated:
"Our staff is capable of so much and they want to do the best for our kids. We just need to give the support and PD to help them grow."
"Kids share at home when they are excited. Parents, community and partners want us to win!!"
Thoughtful Design
The Institutes are designed to:
Develop team capacities within a staff by examining best leadership practices and providing structure to enhance the culture of any building.
Enhance implementation of instructional, structural, and management best practices that align to the TN STEM & STE(A)M School Designation Rubric.
Scaffold leaders' practice to empower collaboration and exploration of school improvement components that are reflected in the highest performing STEM/STE(A)M schools across the state.
Connect leaders with a network that supports innovation and improvement at the school level to promote student and community success.
FAQ's
Do you have questions? We have answers.
