“I loved teaching. Leadership wasn’t on my radar. But my principal pulled me aside and said, ‘You’re a leader.’ That changed everything.”
Marion County, Florida, is home to more than 45,000 students across nearly 50 schools. Like many large districts, it’s navigating the complex challenges of student needs, staff retention, and school improvement. But in this forward-thinking school system, leadership isn’t left to chance. It’s cultivated—deliberately, systemically, and from the inside out.
From the outset, the initiative has been anchored by a strategic partnership with the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL)—one of the nation’s most widely used, research-based professional learning programs for school leaders—and now, three years in, that foundation continues to guide Marion County’s leadership development efforts.
At the heart of this strategy is a Grow-Your-Own model, powered by local facilitators, action learning, and a clear focus on systemwide coherence. Here’s what we learned from Marion’s journey—and what other districts can take away.
Leadership is Activated Through Recognition and Mentorship
“Leadership wasn’t on my radar—until someone told me they saw it in me.”
Rather than waiting for aspiring leaders to self-identify, Marion County leaders make it a point to name potential early. This act of recognition, paired with mentorship, creates pathways for teachers to grow into confident, system-focused leaders.
Authentic Leadership Styles Are Embraced and Strengthened
“NISL helped me realize: I don’t have to lead by control. I can lead by trust, by empowering others and that’s how real change happens.”
The NISL program validated a range of leadership styles—especially relational, team-centered approaches. Leaders say this gave them permission to show up authentically, lean into their strengths, and empower others.
Leadership Development is Rooted in Reflective Practice
“Every Friday, I prompt my staff to reflect. It’s three sentences, but it shifts how we think about our work.”
In Marion County, reflection is not an add-on. Leaders embed it into routines and staff discussions, building the muscle for continuous learning and improvement.
Courageous Leadership Requires Honest Feedback
“You have to value people who point out the hard truths.”
Marion County leaders embrace the value of courageous feedback. Trusted truth-tellers are seen as essential to avoiding groupthink and leading with integrity.
Global Perspectives Inspire Local Change
“When you study education systems of other countries, you realize change is possible. You start thinking—‘we can get that same growth.’ That motivates me.”
Global benchmarking within the NISL curriculum helped leaders reimagine what’s possible. That shift in mindset—from compliance to aspiration—has fueled real innovation across schools.
Results You Can See
Not only has the district seen early indicators of student progress in math and ELA, but there’s also a deeper cultural shift underway. Action Learning Projects now inform hiring decisions. Local facilitators coach future principals. Leadership isn’t just a job—it’s a shared responsibility.
“We’re not growing leaders just to fill jobs. We’re growing them to transform the system.”
Marion County offers a clear message to districts everywhere: leadership development isn’t a program—it’s a strategy. And done right, it’s a system-changer. Explore the full evaluation or learn more about the NISL program powering their approach.
