Education Leadership Support & Development

Nebraska Leadership and Learning Network (NLLN) 

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MATTERS

In addition to the critical impact of the classroom teacher, principal leadership is identified as one of the most significant factors in determining the success of students McCaffrey et al., 2003).

The NDE and its partners created the NLLN to focus on a state-wide process to ensure equity-driven school leadership support aligned to the Nebraska Performance Framework for Principals.This opportunity is also extended to principal supervisors to support them in strengthening their practice to deepen their impact on those they supervise.

The Nebraska Leadership and Learning Network (NLLN) was a state-wide networking collaborative designed around a collective learning experience. The NLLN was committed to developing equity-driven leadership skills as outlined in the Nebraska Teacher and Principal Performance Standards through a system of purposeful collaboration and support. Education leaders across Nebraska identified three specific concepts within the newly-revised standards as the most critical to the success of principal leadership:

  • Staff and Student Culture
  • Equity and Cultural Responsiveness
  • Instructional Leadership

The NLLN identified the most critical elements for a sustainable in-state model to ensure equity-driven school leadership support in schools and prioritized the following:

  • Create a support system for Nebraska leaders to grow professionally and use growth to benefit one’s own district
  • Build a collaborative learning network to include structured and facilitated conversations around topics such as key indicators of highly effective schools
  • Engage in context-specific problem-solving support to turn challenges into opportunities
  • Establish national connections to understand and support from consultants and current research
  • Context-specific problem solving support to turn challenges into opportunities
  • Nationwide connections and support from consultants and current research

“Research across the decades has confirmed that effective school leadership is associated with better outcomes for students and schools. A high-quality school leader affects dozens of teachers and hundreds or thousands of students. It is a pivotal role.”  Rand Corporation, 2019

Contact Information

Ryan Ricenbaw
Education Leadership Specialist
Cell: 531-510-8514
E: ryan.ricenbaw@nebraska.gov

Updated April 21, 2023 2:55pm