About The Cahn Fellows Programs
The Cahn Fellows Programs encompass much more than the Principals we serve. Our Programs foster a community of educators and administrators who ultimately influence the outcomes for inner-city students in their education and their approach to life. But, it is not simply an experience that ends with a program’s completion. It is a continuous culture of advancement for the participants, past participants, and the people who seek to bring more to our educational systems. The evidence of our success is apparent in the resulting focus and achievements of our Cohorts and in their continued involvement and support of the Cahn Fellows Programs. We believe the success of the Principals is directly reflected by the success of their students.
To meet our goals, the Cahn Fellows Programs are supported by a unique structure, including a Board of Directors, Faculty, Alumni Advisors, Guest Speakers, Staff, Advisory Councils, and Supporters and Partners — all working together to provide an experience unlike any other.
Our Mission
The Cahn Fellows Programs seek to improve large urban public school systems nationally by providing distinguished school leaders with advanced professional development and recognition. Our programs are designed to increase leadership skills, retention in education and student outcomes.
Our History
The original Cahn Fellows Program was founded in 2002 as a result of the vision and generosity of Charles & Jane Cahn. The Cahns wanted to do something to improve public education with the belief that, in recognizing and supporting excellence, we can help an entire system to rise. This Cahn Fellows Program inducted its first cohort of Cahn Fellows into the program in 2003. The Cahn Fellows Programs are a set of programs that have been specifically designed to support the growth of exemplary school leaders. The Programs enable Fellows to become even more effective principals while leveraging their talents to support aspiring school leaders as they choose an Ally who learns alongside them in the yearlong process of growth.
Our Core Beliefs
- School leadership has an enormous impact on student outcomes.
- The greatest leverage is with high-performing principals.
- Our investment in principals and aspiring leaders increases retention and leadership pipelines.
Our Theory of Action
If the program—
- engages principals in a collaborative network of peers,
- increases their ability to build capacity, and
- improves teacher effectiveness and school culture,
then we will both increase the retention of the strongest principals in schools and school systems and develop a pool of future leaders, ultimately elevating student learning and achievement.
For more information please see our Cahn Fellows Brochure