AA#4217 School Leadership in a Divided World (08098)

Presenter: Dr. John Hackett

Today’s school leaders encounter both significant challenges and extraordinary opportunities as they guide their communities through volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Modern educational environments are shaped by disruption, diversity, and the layered dynamics of multigenerational populations. In the midst of these realities, leaders have a vital role—not only to manage, but to become connectors who bridge divides, foster relationships, and cultivate cultures of inclusion and trust.

School Leadership in a Divided World: Four Leadership Capacities for Building Relationships and Bridges of Connection equips current and aspiring leaders with research-based, practical strategies grounded in four essential leadership capacities: communication, coaching, collective capacity, and inclusive practice. These capacities are the linchpins for building authentic connections, navigating differences, and unifying divided learning communities. By learning to recognize and develop their own leadership core, participants will gain tools to foster collaborative growth, nurture emerging leaders, and intentionally create environments where every voice is heard and valued.

This Illinois Administrators Academy course provides an interactive and activity-rich experience, blending evidence-based principles with hands-on applications. Throughout the course, participants will engage in self-reflection, collaborative problem-solving, and practical exercises designed to transfer learning directly into their school contexts. The content goes beyond theory, offering a robust framework that strengthens individual and collective leadership. Ultimately, the course prepares leaders to build bridges of understanding, unify their school communities, and equip future leaders for the demands of a rapidly changing world.