--- title: "It’s Elementary: Targeted K12 Leadership Development for Tackling Big Problems" description: K12 leadership development should support both individual leaders, as well as the collective leadership development of the organization. image: https://www.edelements.com/hubfs/Blog%20-%20Its%20Elementary%20-%20K12%20Leadership%20Development.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#main-content) [![EE-Logo-e2L](https://www.edelements.com/hubfs/e2l/EE-Logo-e2L.svg "EE-Logo-e2L")](https://www.edelements.com) - [Solutions](https://www.edelements.com/k12solutions) Show submenu for Solutions - [Survey Suite](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for Survey Suite - [Survey Suite Overview](https://www.edelements.com/survey-suite-offerings) - [The 7Cs of Effective Teaching](https://www.edelements.com/the-7cs-framework-of-effective-teaching) - [The Data Triangle](https://www.edelements.com/the-data-triangle-survey-suite) - [Strategy](https://www.edelements.com/k12strategy) Show submenu for Strategy - [Strategic Overview](https://www.edelements.com/k12strategy) - [Strategic Vision](https://www.edelements.com/strategic-vision) - [Strategic Planning](https://www.edelements.com/strategy-planning) - [Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/k12leadership) - [Instruction](https://www.edelements.com/k12instruction) Show submenu for Instruction - [Instructional Overview](https://www.edelements.com/k12instruction) - [Instructional Framework](https://www.edelements.com/instructional-framework) - [Instructional Implementation](https://www.edelements.com/elevating-instruction-using-data-to-drive-student-success) - [Fractional Coaching](https://www.edelements.com/fractional-coaching) - [Curriculum](https://www.edelements.com/k12curriculum) Show submenu for Curriculum - [Curriculum Overview](https://www.edelements.com/k12curriculum) - Curriculum Solutions Show submenu for Curriculum Solutions - [Curriculum Audit](https://www.edelements.com/curriculum-audit) - [Curriculum Strategy](https://www.edelements.com/curriculum-strategy) - Curriculum Materials Show submenu for Curriculum Materials - [FIRE](https://www.edelements.com/curriculum/foundational-instruction-for-reading-excellence-national) - [Odell High School Literacy Program](https://www.edelements.com/curriculum/odell) - [Texas Odell High School Literacy Program](https://www.edelements.com/texas-odell-high-school-literacy-program) - [ELA Guidebooks](https://www.edelements.com/ela-guidebooks-xanedu-solutions) - [Print & Distribution](https://www.edelements.com/k12-curriculum-print-distribution-services) - [School Improvement](https://www.edelements.com/solutions/k12-school-improvement) Show submenu for School Improvement - [School Improvement Overview](https://www.edelements.com/solutions/k12-school-improvement) - [School Improvement Monitoring Plan](https://www.edelements.com/school-improvement-improvement-monitoring-plan) - [Comprehensive Needs Assessment](https://www.edelements.com/school-improvement-comprehensive-needs-assessment) - [Campus Improvement Plan](https://www.edelements.com/school-improvement-campus-improvement-plan) - [Workforce Development](https://www.edelements.com/workforce-development-ed-elements) - [AI & IT Solutions](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for AI & IT Solutions - [Student Data Policy](https://www.edelements.com/student-data-policy-management) - [AI for Educators](https://www.edelements.com/ai-for-educators) - [Resources](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for Resources - [About us](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for About us - [Our Impact](https://www.edelements.com/ourimpact) - [About us](https://www.edelements.com/edelements-about-us) - [Contact us](https://www.edelements.com/get-a-consultation) - [B2B Partners](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for B2B Partners - [Curriculum Partners](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for Curriculum Partners - [ReadWorks](https://www.edelements.com/readworks-overview-ed-elements) - [Great First Eight](https://www.edelements.com/great-first-eight-stand-for-children-and-education-elements-fulfillment-partner) - [Solutions](https://www.edelements.com/k12solutions) Show submenu for Solutions - [Survey Suite](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for Survey Suite - [Survey Suite Overview](https://www.edelements.com/survey-suite-offerings) - [The 7Cs of Effective Teaching](https://www.edelements.com/the-7cs-framework-of-effective-teaching) - [The Data Triangle](https://www.edelements.com/the-data-triangle-survey-suite) - [Strategy](https://www.edelements.com/k12strategy) Show submenu for Strategy - [Strategic Overview](https://www.edelements.com/k12strategy) - [Strategic Vision](https://www.edelements.com/strategic-vision) - [Strategic Planning](https://www.edelements.com/strategy-planning) - [Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/k12leadership) - [Instruction](https://www.edelements.com/k12instruction) Show submenu for Instruction - [Instructional Overview](https://www.edelements.com/k12instruction) - [Instructional Framework](https://www.edelements.com/instructional-framework) - [Instructional Implementation](https://www.edelements.com/elevating-instruction-using-data-to-drive-student-success) - [Fractional Coaching](https://www.edelements.com/fractional-coaching) - [Curriculum](https://www.edelements.com/k12curriculum) Show submenu for Curriculum - [Curriculum Overview](https://www.edelements.com/k12curriculum) - Curriculum Solutions Show submenu for Curriculum Solutions - [Curriculum Audit](https://www.edelements.com/curriculum-audit) - [Curriculum Strategy](https://www.edelements.com/curriculum-strategy) - Curriculum Materials Show submenu for Curriculum Materials - [FIRE](https://www.edelements.com/curriculum/foundational-instruction-for-reading-excellence-national) - [Odell High School Literacy Program](https://www.edelements.com/curriculum/odell) - [Texas Odell High School Literacy Program](https://www.edelements.com/texas-odell-high-school-literacy-program) - [ELA Guidebooks](https://www.edelements.com/ela-guidebooks-xanedu-solutions) - [Print & Distribution](https://www.edelements.com/k12-curriculum-print-distribution-services) - [School Improvement](https://www.edelements.com/solutions/k12-school-improvement) Show submenu for School Improvement - [School Improvement Overview](https://www.edelements.com/solutions/k12-school-improvement) - [School Improvement Monitoring Plan](https://www.edelements.com/school-improvement-improvement-monitoring-plan) - [Comprehensive Needs Assessment](https://www.edelements.com/school-improvement-comprehensive-needs-assessment) - [Campus Improvement Plan](https://www.edelements.com/school-improvement-campus-improvement-plan) - [Workforce Development](https://www.edelements.com/workforce-development-ed-elements) - [AI & IT Solutions](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for AI & IT Solutions - [Student Data Policy](https://www.edelements.com/student-data-policy-management) - [AI for Educators](https://www.edelements.com/ai-for-educators) - [Resources](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for Resources - [About us](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for About us - [Our Impact](https://www.edelements.com/ourimpact) - [About us](https://www.edelements.com/edelements-about-us) - [Contact us](https://www.edelements.com/get-a-consultation) - [B2B Partners](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for B2B Partners - [Curriculum Partners](https://www.edelements.com/blog/its-elementary-targeted-k12-leadership-development-for-tackling-big-problems#) Show submenu for Curriculum Partners - [ReadWorks](https://www.edelements.com/readworks-overview-ed-elements) - [Great First Eight](https://www.edelements.com/great-first-eight-stand-for-children-and-education-elements-fulfillment-partner) [ Get a Consultation ](https://www.edelements.com/get-a-consultation) ![](https://www.edelements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20-%20Its%20Elementary%20-%20K12%20Leadership%20Development.jpeg?width=1600&height=600&name=Blog%20-%20Its%20Elementary%20-%20K12%20Leadership%20Development.jpeg) # It’s Elementary: Targeted K12 Leadership Development for Tackling Big Problems Published: March 6, 2022 Read Time: 4 min [Innovative Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/innovative-leadership) [Organizational Leadership & Change Management](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/organizational-leadership-change-management) [District Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/district-leadership) [School Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/school-leadership) --- WRITTEN BY [![author](https://www.edelements.com/hubfs/Megan%20Campion%20%26%20Briana%20Cash.png) ](https://www.edelements.com/blog/author/megan-campion-briana-cash) [Megan Campion & Briana Cash](https://www.edelements.com/blog/author/megan-campion-briana-cash) SHARE ![Facebook](https://www.edelements.com/hubfs/theme-assets-s2/icons/fb.svg) ![X](https://www.edelements.com/hubfs/theme-assets-s2/icons/x.svg) ![LinkedIn](https://www.edelements.com/hubfs/theme-assets-s2/icons/li.svg) ![Mail](https://www.edelements.com/hubfs/theme-assets-s2/icons/mail.svg) As we write this, we are thinking back to the last “normal” month in 2020 before COVID-19 arrived in full force. A sampling of headlines from *Education Weekly *in February 2020 highlight [social and emotional learning](https://www.edweek.org/leaders/meet-the-leaders/2020-leaders-to-learn-from#:~:text=Weaving%20a%20Mental%20Health%20Safety%20Net), [the role of technology in education,](https://www.edweek.org/issue/2020/02/05#:~:text=Using%20Amazon%20Echo%2C%20Google%20Home%20to%20Learn%3A%20Skill%20of%20the%20Future%20or%20Bad%20Idea%3F) and [the importance of effective school leadership](https://www.edweek.org/issue/2020/02/12#:~:text=Good%20Principals%20Linked%20to%20Less%20Absenteeism). With the benefit of hindsight, we can reflections of what we faced then, pre-COVID, in the complex challenges facing school leaders now. Now, with added urgency to prioritize and act on these problems quickly. Just a few months ago, in order to understand the changing nature of these challenges, [we created a survey](https://www.edelements.com/lp-k-12-leader-pulse-survey) to gather feedback from leaders in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the country; and we received responses from over 200 educational leaders. The poll revealed that among the top three concerns were - school climate, employee retention, and learning loss, followed closely by diversity, equity, and inclusion work. ![Top 3 Concerns Chart](https://www.edelements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Top%203%20Concerns%20Chart.png?width=818&name=Top%203%20Concerns%20Chart.png) These are significant concerns, and we believe that addressing them starts with targeted support for the leaders. After spending over two years in the chaotic orbit of education + COVID-19, educational leaders at all levels became even more adept navigating a changing, complex set of expectations and stakeholder needs, and finding creative solutions. We believe that now is the time to take a step back and invest in leadership development that builds on their strengths and aligns with often new organizational priorities, that doesn't just solely focus on an individual's traits or expertise. In fact, we believe there is a need to focus leadership development on the individual, the team, and the organization. As organizational leaders work toward solving systemic problems, they need to build their individual skills together, in alignment with the systemic improvements they seek. Try the process we’re sharing below for a limited window of time--maybe 6-8 weeks (a *sprint*), and see what you learn about yourself, your team, and your organization. **ASSESS** **Organization** - First, ask yourself, what is your top priority for the next 3 months? Do you have concerns about school culture and climate as people are coming back together? Do you worry that teachers are planning to leave? - Consider if you have the right *conditions for learning*? Is there a sense of psychological safety on the team? Are you open to new ideas and constructive disagreement? - Finally, think about whether or not you have *sufficient structures for learning*? Are there regular times and spaces for sharing ideas and new learning? Are your communication channels open and reciprocal? If these questions are difficult for you to answer with confidence, share [this article](https://hbr.org/2008/03/is-yours-a-learning-organization) and take the survey included with your team. Compare your results, and discuss what the highest leverage focus would be for your team to be able to make progress toward addressing your top priorities. **Individual & Team** - Reflect on your own strengths and areas for growth. Use the organizational needs uncovered (conditions for learning or structures for learning), and think about yourself and your team, and the balance of strengths and gaps that you all bring to the work. - Use the [Elements of Leadership](https://drive.google.com/file/d/15PPPRUYxMHsJJmBMFg8lIPbOWDX2IcKw/view?usp=sharing) to frame your reflection. If *conditions for learning *need to be cultivated, explore elements that enhance a sense of belonging (inclusivity, cultural competency, emotional intelligence,) and create space for others to share ideas (inquiry, active listening, facilitation). If *structures for learning *need to be created or reinforced, dig into the elements that support the generation and processing of knowledge (personal vision, reflection, analysis, synthesis), the ability to run small experiments (inquisitive, perseverance, inquiry, learning agility), and the clear and systemic sharing of knowledge (clarity, conviction, data fluency, and understands boundaries.  ![Blog - Why We Need Elements of Leadership 1](https://www.edelements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20-%20Why%20We%20Need%20Elements%20of%20Leadership%201.png?width=1762&name=Blog%20-%20Why%20We%20Need%20Elements%20of%20Leadership%201.png) **PRIORITIZE** Select the element(s) that you will focus on for the duration of the first sprint. You might want to check in with your team, to see if they agree with your area of focus, and to understand their areas of focus so you can all align on whether or not those would combine to help create the organizational condition you need.  **PRACTICE** Explore resources for your element, and learn how you can practice that skill in your daily routine. For example, if you decide to focus on developing inquiry, you may want to set a goal to ask 2 clarifying questions and 2 probing questions per day.  **TEACH** When you and your team have complete your sprint, host a team retrospective, in which you reflect on your individual practice, share what you learned, and explore what your next steps may be.  --- [![Pulse Survey Gif](https://www.edelements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pulse%20Survey%20Gif.gif?width=699&name=Pulse%20Survey%20Gif.gif)](https://www.edelements.com/lp-k-12-leader-pulse-survey) Written By ![Author](https://www.edelements.com/hubfs/Megan%20Campion%20%26%20Briana%20Cash.png) Megan Campion & Briana Cash #### All Posts [All Resources ](https://www.edelements.com/blog) [![](https://www.edelements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8-May-01-2025-04-14-47-5639-AM.png?width=352&name=8-May-01-2025-04-14-47-5639-AM.png) ](https://www.edelements.com/blog/5-key-insights-for-sustainable-school-change-according-to-superintendents-and-researchers) [School Districts](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/school-districts), [Innovative Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/innovative-leadership), [Organizational Leadership & Change Management](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/organizational-leadership-change-management), [Strategic Planning](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/strategic-planning), [District Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/district-leadership), [Superintendents](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/superintendents) May 1, 2025 #### [5 Key Insights for Sustainable School Change, According to Superintendents and Researchers](https://www.edelements.com/blog/5-key-insights-for-sustainable-school-change-according-to-superintendents-and-researchers) [![](https://www.edelements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Files/Champion%20the%20Success%20of%20Leaders%20in%20Your%20School%20or%20District%20Blog%20Header.jpg?width=352&name=Champion%20the%20Success%20of%20Leaders%20in%20Your%20School%20or%20District%20Blog%20Header.jpg) ](https://www.edelements.com/blog/teacher-leaders-creating-change-in-kenai) [Innovative Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/innovative-leadership) February 19, 2020 #### [Teacher Leaders Creating Change in Kenai](https://www.edelements.com/blog/teacher-leaders-creating-change-in-kenai) [![An Investment in Equity Is an Investment in Positive Student Outcomes Header image](https://www.edelements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Post%20Headers%20%2834%29.png?width=352&name=Blog%20Post%20Headers%20%2834%29.png) ](https://www.edelements.com/blog/an-investment-in-equity-is-an-investment-in-positive-student-outcomes) [School Districts](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/school-districts), [Equity](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/equity), [Innovative Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/innovative-leadership), [District Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/district-leadership), [School Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/blog/topic/school-leadership) February 27, 2024 #### [An Investment in Equity Is an Investment in Positive Student Outcomes](https://www.edelements.com/blog/an-investment-in-equity-is-an-investment-in-positive-student-outcomes) ### Get the latest from Education Elements. [![logo](https://www.edelements.com/hubfs/theme-assets-s2/icons/logo.svg) ](https://www.edelements.com/) Education Elements *an engage2learn company* 8911 North Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 4200-1065 Austin, TX 78759 - [Solutions](https://www.edelements.com/k12solutions) - [Instruction](https://www.edelements.com/k12instruction) - [Leadership](https://www.edelements.com/k12leadership) - [Strategy](https://www.edelements.com/k12strategy) - [Curriculum](https://www.edelements.com/k12curriculum) - [School Improvement](https://www.edelements.com/solutions/k12-school-improvement) - [Print & Distribution](https://www.edelements.com/k12-curriculum-print-distribution-services) - Resources - [Success Stories](https://www.edelements.com/resources/success-stories) - [Blog](https://www.edelements.com/blog) - [Newsletter](https://www.edelements.com/resources/newsletter) - [Webinars](https://www.edelements.com/events/webinars) - About Us - [About Us](https://www.edelements.com/edelements-about-us) - [Contact us](https://www.edelements.com/get-a-consultation) [ Privacy Policies ](https://www.edelements.com/website-privacy-policy) [ Copyright Policy ](https://www.edelements.com/copyright-policy) © 2026 engage2learn. All Rights Reserved. [![Public Relations Today](https://widget.aggregage.com/images/publicrelationstoday/badge-clear.gif "Public Relations Today")](http://www.publicrelationstoday.com)