The Cahn Fellowship strengthens public education by developing and sustaining exceptional school principals through transformative leadership development, recognition, and a thriving national network ensuring great leaders grow, stay, and drive systemic results for the students they serve. | | LAST CALL: ALC Ticket Sales End September 27 | | |
The countdown to the 2026 Cahn Annual Leadership Conference is on!
Join us on October 9 in New York City as we celebrate 25 years of leadership impact alongside Cahn Fellows, Alumni, district partners, and education leaders from across the country.
Hear from keynote speaker Ted Ma, connect with the Cahn community, and experience a meaningful day of learning, connection, and celebration.
| | Registration closes September 27 don’t miss your chance to join us! | | 2026-2027 Fellowship Nominations Are Now Closed | | Final cohort announcement coming soon. | | Interested in becoming a district or charter partner? | | Bring the Cahn Fellowship to your district and invest in the growth of exceptional school leaders. | | If your district or charter organization is interested in partnering with the Cahn Fellowship to develop and support school leaders, please contact Robert Bhoolai, Managing Director of Strategy & Partnerships, at rbhoolai@cahnfellowship.org to explore partnership opportunities. | | District Partners: Reserve Your Place | | |
Invited district leaders and partners are encouraged to join us on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in New York City for the Cahn Fellowship District Convening.
This invitation-only gathering will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships across our district network, and celebrate 25 years of leadership impact together.
Registration is required. Click the invitation below to confirm your attendance.
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CAHN Fellow 2025
Thomas Cotter
Houston, Texas
Thomas “TJ” Cotter, Cahn Fellow 2025, was recently promoted to Executive Director of Instruction for Secondary Schools within the Houston Independent School District, where he oversees a portfolio of middle and high schools and supports school leaders in strengthening instruction, leadership capacity, and student achievement.
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CAHN Fellow 2025
Kristina Jelinek
Manhattan, New York
Kristina Jelinek, Cahn Fellow 2025, celebrated Dual Language Middle School’s authorization as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, recognizing the school’s commitment to rigorous, globally minded learning for students.
Read more here
| | | We are pleased to share that Ellie Drago-Severson, has released a new book, Leading Adult Learning 2.0. | | |
This fully revised and expanded edition includes updated research, new stories, and practical tools designed to help educational leaders strengthen adult learning, leadership development, collaboration, and school culture.
Grounded in more than 30 years of research, the book explores four key practices for supporting adult growth: teaming, providing leadership roles, mentoring, and collegial inquiry.
Ellie shares that her hope is for the book to support leaders as they work to build stronger teams, develop educators, and create conditions where both adults and students can thrive.
Learn more and preview the book on Amazon.
| | Last Call: 2nd Annual Alumni Luncheon Registration Closes September 27 | | |
Join us on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in New York City for the 2nd Annual Cahn Alumni Luncheon.
This year’s theme, Lead to Lift: Connecting Leaders Who Lead & Mentor Leaders, celebrates the collective impact of Cahn alumni and the many ways they continue to mentor others, develop new leaders, and strengthen schools and school systems.
Reconnect with colleagues, build relationships across cohorts, and take part in meaningful networking and professional learning. The $170 registration fee may be covered through your school or district’s professional learning funds.
Registration closes September 27. Don’t miss your opportunity to join us as we celebrate 25 years of leadership impact and continue leading in ways that lift others.
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Secure your spot by September 27 and join us for an afternoon of connection, celebration, and leadership.
Crystal Mayfield Jones
Managing Director of Programs
Cahn Fellow 2018
| | Strengthen local educational leaders and identify key educational challenges. Your investment helps to build stronger schools- one principal at a time. | | |
Sponsoring a principal helps Cahn Fellowship train, support, and retain school leaders who are building safe, inclusive, and high-achieving schools. Sponsors can be matched with a local principal and will help fund a School Community Project designed by that leader to address a key challenge in their school.
Our 2026-2027 Cahn Distinguished Principals Fellowship cohort has launched, and we invite donors to join our Sponsor-A-Principal community now.
Click here to learn more about 2026-2027 Sponsor-A-Principal program
For more information, please contact Nathan Blankenship
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Please consider supporting a Pre K - 12 principal today!
Your gift will help us improve metropolitan public school systems by investing in distinguished school leaders and aspiring leaders. We thank all of our supporters, donors, and strategic partners for their generous support.
Please note our updated mailing address (as of late 2024):
Cahn Fellowship
950 N. Washington Street
3rd Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
| | Powering Our Impact: Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors | | |
Cahn Fellowship Upcoming Holidays and Events
October 8 2nd Annual Alumni Luncheon
October 9 Annual Leadership Conference 2026
October 12 Columbus Day (Cahn Fellowship Closed)
November 11 Veterans' Day (Cahn Fellowship Closed)
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