2025-26 Wally Zastrow Leadership Academy
Leadership is a Choice. Will You Step Forward and Join this Year's Leadership Cohort?
The Yearlong Academy starts this October. Sign up now!
Whether you’re a School Business Manager, Facilities Director, or Custodial Leader, every decision you make directly shapes the experiences of students, the wellbeing of staff, and the overall success of your district. That’s why WASBO’s Leadership Academy stands as WASBO's premier professional development experience. This transformational, yearlong academy is not just another program. It’s a defining career milestone. Through six intensive two-day sessions held throughout the academic year, you’ll gain cutting-edge leadership insights, form a powerful network of peers, and sharpen your ability to lead with clarity, confidence, and lasting impact. Graduates of the Leadership Academy emerge as visionary change agents, having completed a capstone called the District Innovation Initiative that delivers tangible, lasting improvement in their district. The WASBO Leadership Academy is not just an opportunity; it’s a catalyst. Are you ready to transform your leadership, your district, and your future?
Once you register, you're not done yet! After registering for the Leadership Academy, make sure you:
What's Included?
The Wally Zastrow 2025-26 Leadership Academy is $2,225. This price includes the following during the six, two-day Academy sessions:
- Impactful curriculum and learning objectives
- Coaching/Support from Academy faculty
- Networking through online tools
- Leadership Assessment
- Emotional Intelligence Assessment
- Organization Analysis & Design (OAD) Survey
- Noon Lunch
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Reasons to Register
- Design Your District Innovation Initiative:An investment in YOUR schools! Learn more.
- This is a personalized, hands-on project that significantly enhances staff transparency and efficiencies, empowers staff in areas like onboarding and fairer pay, builds trust with the public, and/or improves the well-being and experience of students in YOUR district!
- Develop Your Leadership Vision
- Analyze Your Leadership Skills & Master New Strategies
- Boost Your Career & Build a Powerful Network
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Session Dates
Each two-day session will take place at the Wisconsin School Leadership Center in Madison. Each Session's Day One will be from 10AM - 5 PM on Day One, and Day Two will be from 8 AM - 3 PM.
Session I: Taking Your Leadership Pulse
October 9-10, 2025
Session II: The Leader as an Innovator
November 5-6, 2025
Session III: The Leader as a Communicator
December 4-5, 2025
Session IV: Building High Performance Teams
February 5-6, 2026
Session V: The Leader as a Change Agent
March 4-5, 2026
Session VI: Focus on the Future
April 16-17, 2026
Academy Graduation
May 14 -15, 2026 • WASBO Spring Conference
Attendees who successfully complete the academy will be recognized at the WASBO Spring Conference.
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Participant Eligibility
The Wally Zastrow Leadership Academy is open to members who work for a school district. All applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of 1 year experience in your current job;
- Must have input or decision-making authority for strategic decisions involving the school district;
- Written letter of supervisory support to participate in all academy sessions.
Participant Expectations
Upon registration, participants will be asked to submit responses to following two essay questions:
- Tell us about a real person who influenced your life. What values did this person demonstrate that were important to you?
- After reviewing the leadership learning objectives, which topics do you feel most confident about and which ones do you think will be most challenging?
Need or want talking points to describe the Wally Zastrow Leadership Academy? Get them here! Participants must attend all academy sessions, complete assignments their District Innovation Initiative. Hotel Accommodations are the responsibility of participants. WASBO has secured a block of rooms at a discounted rate.
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