The School Turnaround Summer Leadership Institute: Strategy, Execution and Results

UNC Charlotte Dubois Center City, Charlotte, NC | July 21, 2026
Facilitator: Chance W. Lewis, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Urban Education Collaborative

School leaders in low-performing and high-needs environments must make strategic decisions quickly while maintaining focus on what drives results. This one-day, highly interactive institute equips leaders with a practical framework to prioritize effectively, align initiatives, and lead meaningful school turnaround efforts.

In the morning session, participants will engage in guided reflection, real-time problem solving, and strategic planning to identify high-impact leadership actions tailored to their school context. Leaders will also be introduced to practical ways to leverage AI as a tool to support decision-making, analyze school data, and strengthen turnaround strategies.

In the afternoon session, leaders will apply their learning through hands-on activities, collaborative planning, and peer dialogue to develop a clear, actionable implementation plan. Participants will incorporate AI-supported strategies to enhance execution, improve monitoring, and strengthen accountability systems within their schools.

Participants will leave with a focused leadership framework, practical turnaround strategies, an introduction to AI-enabled tools for school improvement, and a customized action plan they can implement immediately.

Registration

$200 Per Attendee

Register HERE

Hotel Accomodations

Participants are responsible for lodging. Recommended hotels near the venue will be provided.

Food & Refreshments

Breakfast, Coffee, Tea and Light Snacks will be provided.
Lunch and Dinner are on your own.

Certificates

Certificates of completion will be provided.

Full Day Agenda:

8:00 – 8:30 AM
 Registration, Check-In, and Networking
 Light refreshments available

8:30 – 8:45 AM
 Welcome and Opening Remarks
 Overview of the day, goals, and expected outcomes

8:45 – 10:15 AM
 Morning Session I: Setting the Foundation for School Turnaround
 • Framing the urgency and opportunity in low-performing schools
 • Introduction to the strategic leadership framework
 • Guided reflection on current school realities

10:15 – 10:30 AM
 Break

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
 Morning Session II: Strategic Focus and High-Impact Leadership Moves
 • Identifying and prioritizing high-leverage actions
 • Aligning initiatives for maximum impact
 • Introduction to AI tools for data analysis and decision-making
 • Real-time problem solving activities

12:00 – 1:00 PM
 Lunch (On Your Own)

1:00 – 2:30 PM
 Afternoon Session I: From Strategy to Execution
 • Translating priorities into actionable plans
 • Strengthening leadership moves around staff alignment and accountability
 • Applying AI tools to monitor progress and support decision-making
 • Individual planning and reflection

2:30 – 2:45 PM
 Break

2:45 – 4:15 PM
 Afternoon Session II: Implementation Lab and Collaborative Planning
 • Hands-on development of school-specific action plans
 • Peer feedback and problem-solving
 • Refining execution strategies for sustainability

4:15 – 4:45 PM
 Action Plan Presentations and Commitments
 • Participants share key takeaways and next steps
 • Commitment to immediate implementation

4:45 – 5:00 PM
 Closing Remarks and Certificate Distribution
 • Final reflections
 • Distribution of certificates of completion