The North Carolina Leadership Association (NCSLA) is proud to lead an initiative to foster the development of science education leaders in North Carolina. The purpose of the NCSLA Science Leadership Fellows Program is to enhance professional competence and develop the leadership abilities necessary for science leaders to operate effectively in various leadership positions in science education. This newly revised program is supported by the North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center.

2024-2026 Science Leadership Fellow Cohort

Read about the history of the NCSLA Science Leadership Fellows Program

Download a SLFP Brochure (pdf)

Download the presentation by SLFP alumni at the 2013 NSTA Conference in Charlotte (pdf)

About the Program

The NCSLA Science Leadership Fellows Program

• Fosters the development of science education leaders
• Enhances professional competence
• Develops leadership abilities

Science Leadership and Professional Development Activities

• Tailored to the needs of each cohort
• Instructional and assessment strategies
• Facilitating reform and change
• Building leadership capacity
• Conflict resolution and consensus building
• Networking and building partnerships
• Effective use of technology
• Processes for text/materials selection
• Grant writing

Who Can Become a Fellow?

• Classroom teachers and science lead teachers/department chairs
• LEA science supervisors 
• LEA general supervisors whose duties include science 
• Informal and out-of-school educators
• Other administrators 
• Individuals in business and industry who work in science education  
• Anyone who is in or may be in science leadership in NC

• Cohorts of 12 to 15 members formed every two years
• Cohort meets four times per year including attendance at the NCSLA/
  NCSTA professional development institutes held in November

How is the Program Funded?

• North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center
• Applicant’s LEA, university or business must commit to financially support attendance at the NCSLA/NCSTA professional development institutes in the fall.
  
• NCSLA covers other expenses

What it means to be a Science Leadership Fellow

In February 2012 the new cohort of Science Leadership Fellows (SLF) met at the Carolina Center for Educational Excellence (CCEE) in Chapel Hill to facilitate professional development in fostering effective change in educational policy and identifying key concerns in science support for teaching professionals within the cohort.  In addition, we utilized team building activities to construct norms for communication and promote a sense of community among the members of the cohort.

Upon completion of the weekend, the fellows wanted to articulate their appreciation to the Burroughs Wellcome Fund that was possible through their generous support.

Thank you for your support of the NCSLA Fellowship Program, I'm looking forward to learning so much about how to become a more focused science leader in my school, district and the state. Your continued support of this is much appreciated.
Carla Billups

I really enjoyed the NCSLA Fellows meeting/session.  Due to the generosity of the sponsors, we were able to come together and network and brainstorm the various ways we could go back to our schools and counties and impact science education.  This group consists of extremely gifted and talented leaders in science education and I am excited to be a part of this group and look forward to future events.  I am sharing with my colleagues the impact that participation has had on me as well as encouraging them to participate as members of NCSLA and to support the businesses and efforts of our generous sponsor.
Lesley Brickhouse

The thing  from our last meeting that will help me more than anything in the immediate (and already has) future is the collaboration for some of our materials.  I have been able to help give guidance to two people how to use the calendar program more effectively to complete follow through.  Making sure others do what they do in a group setting to get tasks done on time.  I have also benefitted in gaining a mentor for my national boards! In one session, I have been blessed and have been able to be a blessing to others,
Mark Case

I would really like to thank the sponsors for providing the location and resources for us to begin this process. I’ve already used some of the ideas from the “Change” game when I taught a PD session on a potentially stressful concept to science teachers (including literacy).
Melanie Rickard

What I liked the most was the Change Game.  I learned about looking at change from different perspectives and how it can affect  individuals in ways that you had not previously considered.  This reminds me to try to look at the big picture when making decisions that affect many people.
Thanks for doing this for us,
Tonya German

Thank you so much for funding the NCSLA Fellows Program.  I am a new fellow this year and have already been positively affected just by the first weekend session.  NCSLA helped me discover some of my leadership potential and where I may be lagging.  With this information I have already taken action steps to be a positive leader in the NC science community.  And for that I just wanted to say thank you.  Without you this experience and learning could not have happened.
Thanks,
Marty Creech

Being a part of the NCSLA Fellowship Program is already helping me connect with other leaders in science education, while giving me the skills and experience to become a leader myself. Thank you for sponsoring this wonderful opportunity,
Sincerely,
Nicolette Cagle

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to work with this leadership team. I look forward to developing a strong working relationship with all of these people over the next two years. They have several different strengths to offer. I really enjoyed working with them this past weekend, particularly in the "Making Change" game. I began to truly understand the process we need to use to accomplish our goals.
Once again, thank you,
Nancy D Clark/Gaston