In honor of National Leadership Day, RISD celebrates the 115,000+ professional learning hours earned this year and the 16 “Grow Your Own” leadership cohorts provided by the Leadership and Professional Learning team that develops current and future leaders across our district. From 0-year teachers to veteran principals, RISD is committed to building strong leadership at every level to support student success.
Professional Learning Hours (since June 1, 2025):
- 73,241 hours of non-duty professional learning credits (outside contract hours)
- 42,202 hours of on-duty professional learning credits (during contract hours)
- 115,443 total professional learning hours earned by RISD staff
The Leadership Development & Professional Learning Departments facilitate 14 cohorts, including:
| Cohort Name | Description | Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Achieve | All first year teachers meet twice a semester for additional training, time with central departments and coaching on having a successful first year. | 1st Year Teachers |
| Activate | The First-Year Campus Principals Cohort is designed to build capacity and strengthen leadership skills to ensure a successful first year in the principal role. | 1st Year Principals |
| ASPIRE | The Aspiring Principals Cohort is designed to strengthen educational leadership skills by exploring the school-wide implementation of strong instructional practices. | Assistant Principals |
| Future Leader Academy | The Future Leadership Academy empowers educators to grow as leaders by leveraging their strengths to better support colleagues and students. | Campus and Central Staff |
| Instructional Growth Team | The Instructional Growth Team Cohort is designed to develop campus instructional coaches into impactful leaders. | Instructional Coaches, Math and Reading Campus Specialists, Academic Facilitators, Behavior Coaches |
| LAUNCH | The First-Year Assistant Principals Cohort provides a collaborative space for new APs to engage in Professional Learning Communities focused on the unique challenges of their role. | 1st year Assistant Principals |
| Lead Well | The Lead Well Cohort empowers nominated leaders to sharpen their leadership skills, strengthen their teams, and build personal resilience. | High School Junior and Senior Leaders |
| Lunch & Grow | The Lunch and Grow Cohort is designed to sharpen leadership skills and enhance the ability to serve Richardson ISD with excellence. | Central Executive Assistants |
| Mentor Leads | Each campus designates a mentor lead who serves as the liaison and support for all campus mentors and mentees. | Campuses |
| Principal Residency Grant | The Principal Residency Program offers aspiring leaders the opportunity to earn a grant-funded Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification while gaining hands-on experience. | Assistant Principal Residents |
| PL Pioneers | Professional Learning Pioneers, a four-part series designed to help central staff grow their expertise in professional learning design and delivery. | Central Staff, AFs, APs |
| RISE | The RISE Assistant Principal Cohort is designed to develop strong leaders by enhancing leadership skills, instructional expertise, and strategic decision-making. | Assistant Principals |
| Teacher Leader Academy | The Teacher Leader Cohort empowers and develops teacher leaders to step into leadership roles within their schools and communities. | Classroom teachers |
| Transform | The Transform Principals Cohort is designed to strengthen leadership development and cultivate impactful change on campuses. | Principals |
