Blog Post
Celebrating the 2024-25 LENS Cohort & Looking Ahead to the BES Accelerator
Congratulations to the 2024-25 cohort who recently completed the BES LENS leadership development program! Throughout the program, school leaders gained a new network of support, received bi-weekly 1:1 coaching, and engaged in comprehensive, in-person and virtual trainings centered around key areas including: leadership mindset and voice, leadership accountability, context expertise, and responsive leadership.
Participants also traveled to Nashville and Atlanta to study exemplary schools and hear directly from leaders who gave them a first-hand look into varying models of success. Thank you to our partners who hosted LENS leaders this past year: Amana Academy, Drew Charter School, East End Prep, Elite Scholars Academy, Ethos Classical, Intrepid College Prep, and Nashville Classical.
Members of the 2024–25 LENS Cohort:
- Kermit Burns, Ethos Classical
- Cheryl Clancy, Westpark K-8
- Jasmine Clark, Memphis School of Excellence
- Toscha Dickerson, Réve Preparatory Charter School
- Danielle Downum, Southwest Public Schools
- Mariell Edwards, Étoile Academy
- Knakesha Hunter, Memphis School of Excellence
- Kiara Inoa, Creo College Prep
- Crystal Maldonado, Southwest Public Schools
- Steph Myrie, Kwenda Collegiate Girls Charter School
- Kristen Ray, Étoile Academy
- Tierraney Richardson, Westside High School
- Raquel Rodriguez, Kwenda Collegiate Girls Charter School
- Jessica Trejo, YES Prep Public School
- Kiarahswanna Williams, Leadership Preparatory Charter School
In their roles, these leaders are already shaping the future of their schools and communities. They now join a network of over 380 alumni who completed the LENS program since 2012.
What’s Next: BES School Management & Leadership Accelerator
Looking ahead to the next school year, BES is excited to support even more leaders and help them bring operational excellence to their schools through the School Management & Leadership Accelerator.
This eight-month, cohort-based program builds upon the foundations of our previous LENS program and aims to help leaders develop sharp business acumen, strong emotional intelligence, and the confidence to drive lasting, transformative change. Leaders will strengthen their knowledge and skills in operations and budget management, strategic planning, data analysis, vision setting, instructional leadership, performance management, and more.
The BES Accelerator is for all K-12 leaders who manage people or programs, and are in the first five years of their leadership role. This includes school leadership such as Principals, Assistant Principals, Deans of Students, Directors of Instruction, Directors of Operations, and more.
The deadline to apply is August 15. The program will run from September 2, 2025, to May 19, 2026. Learn more and apply at: bes.org/programs/accelerator
