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At North Central Educational Service District (NCESD), we are proud to be part of Deloitte’s Courageous Principals program, a national award-winning initiative designed to create exceptional leaders in education. This program focuses on enhancing the critical relationship-building, communication, and influence skills of K-12 public school leaders.

Creating Impact through Systems and Frameworks

NCESD is deeply connected to the Courageous Principals program through our dedicated facilitators, Ashley Goetz and Bill Eagle. Currently, Goetz serves as the Courageous Principals’ point of contact for Washington state, coordinating nominations and registrations for principals and assistant principals across the state.

Courageous Principals is grounded in research that enables change in large systems. The program has the potential to impact principals throughout their entire careers through the systems and frameworks taught during training, Goetz said.

“Principals are the most important role in a school system,” Goetz added. “We saw a need for ongoing professional development for the principals in our region, and we believe it is incredibly important to provide continuous support and professional development opportunities to school leaders.”

The NCESD supports 29 public school districts across the region. To date, 30 principals from schools in the region have attended Courageous Principals training at Deloitte, many of which have attended both Courageous Principals 1 and Courageous Principals 2.

The Courageous Principals program has significantly impacted school leaders in our region. Terry Sanders, the Middle School Principal at Chelan Middle School, attended the training to build his capacity as a transformational leader.

“I knew that to create meaningful change at my school, I needed tools and frameworks that would challenge my thinking and elevate my practice,” he said.

The training provides school leaders with a structured approach to identifying and addressing problems of practice. These strategies help break down complex issues into manageable parts while aligning them with school goals and values. The training has significantly enhanced Sander’s approach to leadership.

“The emphasis on transformational leadership and understanding team dynamics has helped me empower my staff while fostering a culture of collaboration and trust,” he explained. “I’ve become more intentional about how I approach change and communicate vision, ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard.”

The Power of Networking and Continuous Support

One of the unique aspects of NCESD’s involvement is the regional Courageous Principals Network led by Goetz. The cohort meets quarterly and provides a platform for school leaders to continue implementing what they learned during the Courageous Principals training. The connections and networking opportunities fostered through this cohort have proven invaluable, offering a supportive network where leaders can share strategies, celebrate successes, and problem-solve together.

The training at Deloitte and the regional Network have been particularly beneficial for principals in rural districts, providing them with a broader support network and opportunities to collaborate with peers from similar contexts, Goetz said.

“Our regional principals are meeting people from all over the United States,” she added. “They are creating a network and know they are not alone – everyone, no matter where they work, experiences challenges.”

Tonasket Middle School Principal Trisha Roach has been able to foster more meaningful connections through her experiences with Courageous Principals. These professional relationships have connected her with other principals from similar areas such as rural or low-income communities.

“I have found the CP Network, hosted by NCESD, as an accountability group, helping me keep the work going,” Roach said. “It has impacted my work in the area of culture and climate – reiterating the important work I have been doing and pushing me to keep that work going.”

Get Involved

We encourage all school leaders in our region to consider participating in the Courageous Principals program. The combination of actionable strategies, self-reflection, and networking opportunities makes it a transformative experience that can elevate your leadership journey. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Ashley Goetz at NCESD.