Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL)

Purpose

Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL) is a cohort-based program designed for school leaders and administrators to strengthen their leadership of early learning programs in their schools by identifying and implementing strong early learning practices. Expert early learning leadership coaches from VOCEL partner closely with you to determine the most pressing challenges in your early learning program and develop a tailored action plan, working alongside you and your team to support implementation and improve outcomes for our earliest learners.

Benefits for Participating Leaders

BELL members receive:

• Group professional development, with accompanying ISBE professional development hours

• Access to online modules and resources

• On the ground implementation support via coaching for your school’s leadership team tailored to your classroom's needs

• Invitations to learning and social events with panel discussions, guest speakers, and networking

• A network of CPS school leaders committed to early learning excellence

Program Commitments

To get the most out of the improvement community, we ask for participants to:

• Attend quarterly 2-hour community learning events, available in person and virtual, between September & June

• Network with a supportive community of educators at events (happy hour, workshops, celebrations)

• Engage in bi-monthly coaching with a BELL coach

Eligibility

We are prioritizing accepting schools who meet a combination of the following criteria:

• Commit to two years as the programming is built on a two-year model

• Schools with Title I designation

• At least one Pre-K classroom

• Identified Early Childhood focus on CIWP or in other school priorities

• Ability to dedicate time and human resources (school leader and up to 2 additional adult-facing staff members) to focused improvement effort

We’re still accepting applications! Have any questions? Email Callie Crump at Callie@VOCEL.org with any questions.