Lead with Wholeness
Transform from the Inside Out
A yearlong journey integrating mindfulness, equity, and systemic change to build Beloved Communities in education.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026–27 FELLOWSHIP ARE NOW OPEN!
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
Since 2018, TEL has supported four cohorts of courageous, equity-driven education leaders from across the U.S. and beyond. The Fellowship provides space to slow down, reconnect to purpose, and lead systemic change through inner transformation.
Fellowship Structure
Throughout the year, Fellows move through an intentional rhythm of practice, connection, and application that bridges inner work and systemic impact.
Core Practices & Learning Areas
Mindfulness & Presence
Cultivate awareness and grounding practices that support clarity, resilience, and authentic leadership.
Leadership for Equity & Justice
Examine power, privilege, and systems of oppression while developing skills to lead transformative change.
Embodied Practice
Connect mind, body, and spirit through movement, breathwork, and somatic awareness.
Community & Systems Thinking
Understand how to shift organizational culture and create sustainable, systemic impact.
Beloved Community
Build relationships rooted in love, trust, and collective liberation across difference.
Who Should Apply
The Fellowship is designed for education leaders ready to deepen their capacity for equity-driven, transformative leadership.
✔️ District Leaders committed to equity-centered reform
✔️ Principals leading schools through transformation
✔️ Nonprofit Leaders working in education and community development
✔️ Teacher Leaders advocating for systemic change
✔️ Higher Ed Faculty preparing the next generation of educators
Alumni Voices
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“Being a part of TEL has transformed me personally and in my professional practice. The connections that I have made with the cohort and the faculty continue to enrich in countless ways. I learned more about myself and who I am as a mindful leader.“
Techa L. Smalls-Brown - TEL Cohort 1 Alum (2018-2019)
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“Through TEL, I gained clarity on my work in schools and inspiration to create systems of liberation in the places where I hold power.”
Kelly Knoche - TEL Cohort 1 Alum (2018-2019)
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“Having that container [TEL] was so invaluable this year. I would not have grown in the ways that I did. It really stretched me in all the best ways. It was just a really invaluable experience because it helped me to push myself and think more discerningly around how I want to show up in the world and how I want to be in relationship with myself. And I'm just ultimately really grateful for that. “
Sima Savdharia - TEL Cohort 4 Alum (2024-2025)
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“Participating in the TEL program has been both an inner and outer journey of self-discovery. In order to do transformative work in education, one has to begin the important work on themselves first.”
Annelise Cohon - TEL Cohort 2 Alum (2020-2021)
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“TEL helped me take my vision, my voice, and my confidence to a new level, both within my classroom and beyond. I am a leader, even without the title.”
Karen Ekeze - TEL Cohort 1 Alum (2018-2019)
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“I came to be transformed myself… to pause, to listen, to be a learner.”
Dawn Brooks DeCosta - TEL Cohort 3 Alum (2022-2023)
Program Fee
$5,500
Three facilitated retreats; twice-monthly learning sessions inclusive of guest thought leader; shared curriculum resources; ongoing support throughout the year.
Retreat travel and lodging are not included. Tuition & Scholarships
Financial Support
Need-based scholarships and flexible payment plans may be available.
TEL is committed to supporting access to the Fellowship and works with Fellows on an individual basis to explore available options.
We are committed to making the Fellowship accessible to all qualified leaders.How to Apply / Key Dates
Applications Open
January 15, 2026
Application Deadline
March 1, 2026
Interviews
March–April 2026
Cohort Announced
May 2026
Opening Retreat
July 2026
Closing Retreat
July 2027
Info Session Details
60-minute virtual gatherings to learn about TEL, meet faculty, and ask questions.
“The world needs courageous, mindful leaders. If you’re ready to lead change with love and presence, we invite you to join us.”
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Mission
To cultivate the personal and collective transformation of diverse educational leaders so they can transform schools into just and thriving learning communities.
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Community
Join a beloved community of awakened school leaders committed to nourishing and aligning their inner life of mind and spirit with an outer life of service and action.
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Transformation
Deep inner shifts in attitudes, beliefs, and thinking are necessary for the positive changes in actions and behaviors that empower leaders to transform schools and systems.
Applications for the 2026-27 Fellowship open on January 15th
TEL Info Session Recorded January 30th, 2025
Watch a replay of our January 30th, 2025 TEL Info Session.
Experience Transformation
The Transformative Educational Leadership® (TEL) Fellowship is a deeply immersive, year-long experience for a diverse cohort of educational leaders (at least 50% leaders of color) who are committed to growing in a healing-centered, liberatory, and beloved community of practice. TEL Fellows come together to transform through community and create positive change at personal, collective, and system-wide levels in the educational communities they serve.
With its powerful high-touch approach, TEL provides the collective support and courageous space to go deep in cultivating the transformative leadership needed to lead in complex, uncertain times.
Through a process of co-creating a multi-racial beloved community together, Fellows will practice, integrate, and embody their learnings together. The Fellowship cultivates educational leaders who are capable of advancing a socially responsible, equitable, and loving atmosphere of belonging and compassion in their educational communities.
The Fellowship offers in-person retreats, virtual gatherings, affinity groups, one-on-one coaching, applied practice, and intimate webinars with diverse thought leaders.
Past thought leaders include: Elena Aguilar, Martin Brokenleg, Robert Gass, Dan Goleman, Zaretta Hammond, Yvette Jackson, Tish Jennings, Pedro Noguera, john a. powell, Aaliyah Samuel, Peter Senge.
Gain Insights and Strategies from Thought Leaders:
Previous guest thought leaders include
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Elena Aguilar
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Martin Brokenleg
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Robert Gass
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Dan Goleman
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Zaretta Hammond
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Yvette Jackson
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Tish Jennings
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Pedro Noguera
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john a. powell
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![Dr. Aaliyah Samuel]()
Aaliyah Samuel
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Peter Senge
Program Model
Opening and closing in-person five-day retreats in July 2026 & 2027
One virtual four-day retreat mid-year in February 2027
Two virtual co-learning experiences August–June
Regularly scheduled office hours
Racial affinity & role alike groups
Intimate webinars with diverse thought leaders
Participatory leadership and opportunities to practice skills
Integrative Journey contextualizing learnings to your community
Option to obtain 9 Graduate Level Professional Development Units/Credits through the University of the Pacific
Explore and Develop Skills in:
Transformative Leadership
Social and Emotional Learning
Ethical Decision Making and Nonviolence
Racial, Social, and Ecological Justice
Mindfulness and Contemplative Practices
Inner Wisdom and Embodiment
Systems Change and Collective Impact
Who is this Fellowship for?
Superintendents & other District Level Leaders
Non-profit and CBO Leaders
School and/or District SEL Leaders and Coaches
School Site Leaders - e.g. Principals, Mental Health & Wellness School Leaders
Higher Education Professionals training the Next Generation of Educational Leaders
Teacher Leaders
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Retreat Details
TEL Fellows meet in-person in a beautiful natural setting for two of the three retreats. These gatherings are pivotal to open and close this experience of Beloved Community.
*Opening In-Person Retreat: July 27-31, 2026 at Stony Point Center, NY
*Virtual Retreat: February 2026
*Closing In-Person Retreat: July 2027 - East Coast (location anticipated)
The exact dates and venue for the July 2027 closing retreat will be finalized and shared by January 30.
Virtual Gatherings
Engage deeply with thought leaders and members of your TEL Fellowship for two Wednesdays a month starting August 2026 and ending June 2027. Times will be 4pm-6pmPST/7pm-9pm EST.
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Fellowship fees are $5,500 and do not include travel or room and board for the two in-person retreats. Many Fellows receive support from their district, school, or another sponsoring organization to help cover these costs.
We encourage you not to let cost deter you from applying if you feel called to this work. Need-based scholarships and flexible payment plans may be available, and TEL is committed to working with Fellows on an individual basis to explore accessible options. A payment schedule is also available, allowing fees to be paid in three installments across the Fellowship year.
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Read answers to our most frequently asked questions. Listen to what previous Fellows are saying, and they too may answer your questions.
“A lot of times we are the outliers in our districts. TEL is a community of like minded leaders engaged in similar work. It’s reassuring to know you are not alone.”
— Jill Merolla, SEL Lead, Warren City Schools