Blog Post
Josh Pinto Taylor Leaders to Learn From: BES Accelerator
In addition to 1:1 coaching, visits to high-performing schools, cohort collaboration, and training from BES experts, participants in the School Management & Leadership Accelerator will also learn from alumni who will share insights and best practices drawn from their first-hand experience leading schools, managing teams, and navigating the complex challenges school leaders face year-round. Meet one of those facilitators:
Josh Pinto Taylor is a 2020 BES Fellow who founded and currently serves as Head of School at The Anchor School in Decatur, Georgia. The Anchor School is a 6-12 school that prepares students for success in and beyond university. Through their commitment to excellent instruction, community partnerships, and holistic student development, they cultivate anchors that build a more just and equitable future.
What takeaways from your BES experience continue to stick with you today?
“My time at BES strengthened my vision of how to put into practice the idea that schools are learning communities which need to be continually designed and refined collaboratively. It created the conditions for me to meaningfully engage people over a sustained period of time in the most critical design decisions for the future of the school.”
Tell us about a few significant achievements made by your school since it opened in 2023.
“In my first two years of teaching, I had four principals at one school. I know firsthand how destabilizing leadership turnover can be. One of the achievements I am most proud of is the fact that 100% of our founding leadership team is still on our leadership team heading into our third year of operations. In addition, we are adding two members to our leadership team this year – and they have also been with us since our first day of school in August of 2023. One was a founding parent and the other was a founding teacher. It is incredibly special to see the people who believed in our mission and vision on day 1 still doing the work to realize the vision in Year 3. It is so rewarding to see how our growth has led to career advancement opportunities for members of our small but mighty village. I look forward to the day that one of the alumni of our high school decides to make an impact through education at The Anchor School.”
What advice would you give to leaders navigating the first five years of their role?
“You are about to sprint a marathon. Prepare for the road ahead. Build a team that wants to run with you. Set realistic short-term goals. Pace yourself. Listen to your inner voice and the people around you. Finish what you start. You’ve got this!”
What excites you about supporting leaders in the BES Accelerator, and how can they get the most out of their time during the program?
“I am excited to learn from the wisdom, creativity, passion, and experiences in the room.
I encourage them to embrace the cohort-based component of the program. If you stay in touch beyond the training, this is only the beginning of your learning together.”
Want to learn from Josh and experts at BES who can help you strengthen your skills and bring operational excellence to your school? The School Management & Leadership Accelerator is currently accepting applications for the inaugural 2025 cohort, which will begin September 16, 2025.
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 September 12.
Learn more & apply: bes.org/programs/accelerator
