May LM 2024_1

ISAL ... cont’d.

before you can lead others. I walked out thinking it was never going to happen. It’s been an amazing journey and thank you for seeing whatever you saw and populating the program with amazing people. It’s really the people who come to the program and then having the coaches as that core piece.” The icing on the cake was building life-long friendships

with so many amazing superintendents across the state.

Changes Announced, Coaches Recognized Dr. Blair is not the only transition for the ISAL program. Sandye Brown, a certified leadership coach with extensive history with IASA, will take over for Dr. Blair. Curt Nettles, an ISAL Coach and graduate, will become the lead co-facilitator, replacing Dr. Zabilka, who is heading into his final year prior to retirement. For FY 25, Dr. Zabilka will step into a new role where he will offer support and guidance for Transitions and Connections at IASA. ISAL Coaches Dr. Pat Halloran and Dr. John Ahlemeyer also concluded their last cohort. Dr. Ahlemeyer has served as a coach for three cohorts, while Dr. Halloran is the longest serving coach, having mentored superintendents in all seven cohorts. “This experience has been life changing for me,” Dr. Halloran said. “I was a newer superintendent who didn’t know what I was getting into when I went through coaching training with Nancy and Sandye. I can’t say enough about Nancy’s leadership and what it’s meant. This has been an incredible opportunity.” Applications for ISAL VIII Open in Fall IASA will open up the application period for ISAL VIII this fall. Each cohort typically includes 25 people. Even though there are some changes with leadership, Nettles said people who sign up for ISAL VIII can expect the same level of high-quality professional development. “Although the ISAL program will have a transition in leadership, the program will retain all of the facets that have made it the great program it is,” Nettles said. “With Sandye Brown taking the lead as facilitator, the cohort members will

have THE master coach with them at all times throughout their ISAL VIII journey. I have been involved in ISAL from its inception, and I have watched and learned a lot from Gary Zabilka on how best to organize and run the program. Our intention is to provide the same experience the program has always provided. However, what makes ISAL unique is how the different cohorts bond and work with one another to create their own unique experience of a family-like nature. Sandye and I, along with the coaches, look forward to fostering that same environment to help the cohort members create that special bond that makes the program a life changing adventure for them.”

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LM May 2024