First Summer Leadership Institute a Great Success

The School of Education recently hosted a two-day Summer Leadership Institute, a unique opportunity for educational administrators to network, share insights, and develop actionable strategies to enhance leadership practices and create a lasting impact in their schools and communities.

“St. John’s has been a leader in education in the New York City area for well over a century. We take great pride not just in the preparation of teachers and educational leaders but also how we partner with the community to learn and lead together. This Summer Institute was a great example of the work we do every day, and it was gratifying to see how much the participants took from our two days together,” said James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., Dean, The School of Education.

“Leadership that Connects: Leading in Today’s Challenging Times” was attended by 26 superintendents, assistant superintendents, district leaders, and principals from various area schools. The institute offered a dynamic range of panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions centered on effective leadership communication. Participants had the opportunity to engage in captivating and inspirational conversations with thought leaders in education, while learning how to bridge communication gaps and inspire teams.

The institute included two dynamic keynote speakers. Julia Mahfouz, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Leadership for Educational Organizations at the University of Colorado Denver and an expert in mindfulness and prosocial leadership, spoke on “The Function of Burnout.” Peter M. DeWitt, Ed.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Instructional Leadership Collective and an expert in developing inclusive school climates, discussed “Creating Communities of Trust.”

“I was so grateful to provide the keynote for the inaugural leadership conference at St. John’s,” said Dr. DeWitt. “Everyone involved clearly put in much expertise, heart, and energy to help prepare leaders to be their best selves, and I was honored to have been a part of it.” He added, “It’s always important to me as a facilitator to balance research and practice and deliver it in a way that allows educators to engage in protocols that they can use, and allow them time to put it in their context. We focused our work today on how leaders can develop a shared understanding, engage in joint work, and evaluate their own impact. It’s from my forthcoming book with Michael Nelson called Lead Collectively: From Belief to Action to Impact.”

"This has been a very enriching experience. It's always inspiring to witness principals, superintendents, and educational leaders come together through such communities of practice-- learning with and from one another, exploring emerging trends in education, sharing lived experiences, and reigniting their passion as they prepare for a new academic year. I feel truly honored to have been part of such an engaging and welcoming environment-- one that holds space for every voice and fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose," said Dr. Mahfouz.  She added, “As we move forward, I hope we each take a moment to reconnect with our “why”-- why we do what we do. Reflecting on the meaning behind our work, and how our service and prosocial actions enrich the communities we serve, can be a powerful reminder of the deeper purpose that drives us. How do we lead with curiosity, awe, wonder — the deep recognition of our shared humanity? And how do we nurture these qualities in others so they, too, feel empowered to lead with heart, purpose, and connection?"

Corporate sponsors included Scope Education Services, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union (formerly Bethpage Federal Credit Union), Aigner Chocolates, and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.

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