Throughout the school year, Frenship ISD educators in the Aspiring Leader Academy engaged in monthly learning experiences designed to deepen leadership skills, expand professional perspectives, and prepare for future campus and district roles.
The Aspiring Leader Academy is designed with four key purposes: strengthening the district’s leadership pipeline, guiding educators through various stages of their career pathways, empowering participants to expand their campus influence, and ultimately ensuring continued student success now and in the future.
The program met monthly from September through May, providing ongoing professional learning experiences focused on building leadership capacity. Throughout the year, educators also participated in a book study of Lead from Where You Are: Building Intention, Connection, and Direction in Our Schools by Joe Sanfelippo. Additionally, participants engaged in mock interviews, reflective discussions, resume development, and leadership skill-building activities.
Syd Sexton, Executive Director of Leadership Development, shared that the program is designed to meet emerging leaders where they are and help them grow into future leadership roles.
“Frenship's Aspire program meets emerging leaders with context, skills, and connections to equip them for a step into future leadership roles,” said Sexton. “A key part of the experience is lifting their perspective from the needs of a single classroom to the larger priorities and systems that support an entire campus.”
Sexton noted that the experience helps participants broaden their perspective beyond the classroom to better understand campus-wide systems and priorities that support students and staff.
“One of the biggest growth moments happens when participants shift from thinking primarily about their own classroom or department to thinking about the needs of an entire campus. Participants begin to see the broader impact of leadership decisions and develop a deeper awareness of how campus and district initiatives affect students, staff, and systems as a whole,” said Sexton.
Sexton also shared the vision for the program and its long-term impact on the district’s leadership pipeline.
“The vision for Aspire is to develop internal leaders who deeply understand the Frenship Way so that future leadership needs are met with prepared, passionate candidates,” said Sexton.
Throughout the program, participants also take part in mock interviews and resume-building exercises designed to strengthen both confidence and clarity in their leadership identity.
“Mock interviews and resume-building prepare participants in two major ways. One, the practice of these stressful moments, especially the interviewing, helps them ease into future moments with more confidence,” Sexton said. “Also, and maybe more importantly, practicing your language about what you believe about education and leadership solidifies beliefs, priorities, and vision. Knowing what you believe is priceless for leadership, defining pathways and approaches for aligned practice.”
Throughout the program, Sexton noted a significant shift in participants as they grow from focusing primarily on their own classrooms or departments to understanding the broader needs of an entire campus.
“Learning should stick, so our hope is that participants walk away with a deeper understanding of the complexity of leadership,” said Sexton. “Once emerging leaders begin to understand the challenges of building a master schedule, managing a budget, or staffing a campus, their perspective and awareness expand beyond what they previously experienced. That growth is key—a leader must understand the bigger picture of the organization while also being courageous enough to step forward and serve in a greater capacity.”
She said developing future administrators and campus leaders internally helps strengthen the district’s culture while creating consistency and trust across Frenship ISD.
“Investing in leaders from within strengthens continuity, culture, and trust across the district. A better understanding of district expectations, values, and systems supports a pipeline of people who have demonstrated commitment to serving the Frenship community,” Sexton said.
The 2025–2026 Aspiring Leader Academy participants included educators from across Frenship ISD campuses:
- Jennifer Edwards, Legacy Elementary School
- Leah Rodriguez, Legacy Elementary School
- Ginger Dominy, North Ridge Elementary School
- Rachel Hicks, North Ridge Elementary School
- J'Anna LeClair, North Ridge Elementary School
- Skylar Singletary, North Ridge Elementary School
- Tiffany Beeles, Upland Heights Elementary School
- Christina Parr, Westwind Elementary School
- Joel Petrosko, Westwind Elementary School
- Felicia Cortez, Willow Bend Elementary School
- Sonia Colon, Willow Bend Elementary School / Frenship High School
- Sarah Denning, Alcove Trails Middle School
- Jana Abston, Frenship Middle School
- Laura Walraven, Frenship Middle School
- Amanda Marinez, Heritage Middle School
- Marietta Decker, Frenship High School
- Michal Morelos, Frenship High School
- Lauren Denning, Frenship High School
- Jacob Dangerfield, Memorial High School
- Aaron Simon, Memorial High School
- Ian Walraven, Memorial High School
Congratulations, Aspire participants! We can’t wait to see what you accomplish!