Uncategorized | October 22, 2024

North Star Fellowship applications open for leaders seeking to launch new Connecticut charter schools

Education nonprofit organizations Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD) and The Mind Trust partnering to support selected North Star Fellows.

(October 22, 2024) – The North Star Fellowship, a new opportunity for talented school leaders to launch new public charter schools in Connecticut, has opened applications for interested candidates. Latinos for Educational Advocacy (LEAD), a Connecticut education nonprofit, and The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit, are partnering to design and facilitate the initiative. The North Star Fellowship is a paid opportunity that provides school leaders with the time, resources, and strategic guidance needed to successfully launch new public charter schools in Connecticut. The application deadline is January 6, 2025.

“Launching the North Star Fellowship marks a transformative moment for education in Connecticut. By empowering visionary leaders to establish high-quality charter schools, we’re not just expanding options. We’re redefining the future for our students and communities,” said Lucas Pimentel, CEO of LEAD.

“The Mind Trust is thrilled to partner with LEAD to launch the North Star Fellowship and grow the number of high-quality school options for Connecticut families. Since announcing the initiative in June, our team has been excited to connect with Connecticut stakeholders who have expressed the need for more quality school options. We are proud to work in partnership with communities across Connecticut to support the North Star Fellows and build on a movement for better educational outcomes for the state’s children,” said Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust.

About the North Star Fellowship

To meet the need for more high-quality public school options, North Star Fellows will spend one to two years developing and launching a new charter school in Connecticut. North Star Fellows are paid a competitive salary with healthcare and benefits. Additionally, Fellows will receive personalized coaching, opportunities to travel to some of the nation’s most innovative schools, and support through the school development process.

A strong candidate for the North Star Fellowship will possess these qualities:

  • Experience managing teams of adults to achieve outstanding results for students.
  • An ambitious, laser-like focus on academic achievement for all students.
  • Dedication to equity and its impact on students, communities, teachers, and governance.
  • An entrepreneurial drive that uses resilience, fortitude, and visionary solutions to overcome challenges.
  • The ability to live and work in Connecticut by the start of the fellowship in late summer 2025.

Interested applicants can learn more and begin their application today at ctnorthstar.org/apply. The deadline to apply is January 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.

The North Star Fellowship’s programming and structure will be based on The Mind Trust’s fellowship and investment tracks that have supported the launch of more than 50 public charter and innovation network schools in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fellows will benefit from a wide range of national charter school development experts to ensure their school is set up for operational and academic success. To learn more about current and previous fellows and the schools and organizations they founded, visit themindtrust.org/fellows.

During the planning process, LEAD and The Mind Trust will engage stakeholders to ensure the fellowship builds on the strong work of the education sector in Connecticut and meets the needs of students and families. To learn more about the partnership vision between The Mind Trust and LEAD, click here.

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About LEAD

LEAD is a dynamic Connecticut-based education nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and ensuring that every student and parent across Connecticut has access to a diverse, equitable, and effective system of schools and programs. Our mission goes beyond expanding educational options and opportunities; we are committed to promoting an equitable society and fostering a healthy, educated, and actively engaged community. By championing the rights of students and families, we strive to put every student on a path to success in college, careers, and life. Through relentless advocacy and innovative solutions, LEAD is transforming the educational landscape in Connecticut, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.

About The Mind Trust

The Mind Trust is an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit that works to build a system of schools that gives every student, no exceptions, access to a high-quality education. The Mind Trust does this by building a supportive environment for schools through policy and community engagement, empowering talented, diverse educators to launch new schools, and providing existing schools with the support they need to hire world-class talent and achieve excellence. Since 2006, The Mind Trust has supported the launch of more than 50 schools, 15 education nonprofit organizations, and has helped place over 1,800 teachers and school leaders in Indianapolis.