Professional Learning

Career Academy Leaders' Collaborative (CALC)

Program Overview 

Participants develop adaptive leadership capacity for effective, high quality, and equitable implementation of the career academy model with fidelity to the National Standards of Practice for Career Academies (NSOP). The program consists of a year-long Fellowship built on three in-person workshops and on-going virtual support. The Career Academy Leaders Collaborative (CALC) harnesses the power of collective impact through  the development of a growing network of Academy Leaders. CALC "Fellows" are a resource for schools and districts seeking to implement or sustain the Academy Model, thus improving the economic and life chances for children in their community. 

CALC is supported by a partnership between two organizations: 

Intended Participants

CALC offers school and/or district leaders a thorough grounding in the NSOP,  leadership assistance, and methods for understanding  and overcoming implementation challenges.  Registration of at least two individuals from a district or school; these could include teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, school and district administrators, and advisory board members.

Program Goals

NCAC Fellows will:

  • Master and apply leadership methods that include adaptive leadership, storytelling, and organizational change management.

  • Analyze methods and techniques for understanding and overcoming implementation challenges including buy-in.

  • Develop expert knowledge of the ten National Standards of Practice for effective, high quality career academies.

  • Receive access to a collection of templates and samples of best practices from Model Academies.

  • Communicate a compelling vision for their school(s) and academy(ies) for a variety of audiences and purposes.

  • Complete a systems-informed action plan for change management and continuous improvement focused on specific change practices.

Fellows are required to attend all three in-person meetings or make up the work.  

Fellows in good standing receive a Certificate of Completion and are included in an ongoing community of support.

Mainland US: Three In-Person Sessions:  (AT CAPACITY)

  • Omaha, Nebraska: Beginning 3 pm on August 30 through noon on September 1st

  • Tucson, Arizona: Beginning 3 pm November 11th through noon on November 13th 

  • Manatee County, Bradenton, Florida: Beginning 3pm on February 19th through 1pm on February 21

  • Registration for the Mainland CALC is limited.  These seats will go fast. Districts may reserve spots. If you have any questions, please contact Connie Majka (connie@ncacinc.com). 

  • Cost per participant is $4,550.  Cost includes registration for the annual NCAC Conference.

  • Registration for this year's cohort is closed.  To be added to a waitlist, please email Connie Majka at connie@ncacinc.com.

Hawaii: Three In-Person Sessions:

  • Waipahu HS, Waipahu, HI, September 19th and 20th, 8:30 am to 3 pm

  • Pearl City HS, Pearl City, HI, January 25th and 26th, 8:30 am to 3pm

  • Waiakea HS, Hilo, HI, April 11th and 12th, 8:30 am to 3 pm

  • Cost is $4,000 per person

  • If you have any questions, please contact Connie Majka (connie@ncacinc.com).

  • << REGISTER HERE FOR THE HAWAII CALC >>

Mississippi State CALC: Three In-Person Sessions: