Application Information

Become a school leader

"Recruiting, developing and supporting great educators and school leaders is the top priority in our district. DPS is fortunate to partner with the Get Smart Schools organization to ensure great leadership in our schools. We are thankful for their hard work and look forward to continuing our partnership."
- Tom Boasberg, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools

Who are we looking for?

As of 2011, Get Smart Schools has trained 23 fellows, of which 20 are currently in school leadership positions. But our work is not done. We are always searching for the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.

GSS looks for teachers, students, business executives, former military leaders, and motivated individuals with a passion for school development to apply to the Fellowship. We select individuals who have distinguished themselves as high performers in schools and other organizations and those with track records of success. Most importantly, we seek applicants who show the entrepreneurial spirit, drive, and focus to excel as school leaders.

GSS takes a “targeted placement” approach in the admission process: fellows intending to found their own charter school must have a clear, viable plan for the school they intend to lead, either as part of a Charter Management Organization (CMO), school district, or as an independent charter school. Fellows who have already received district approval to open a new school, or who are applying for Innovation Status for an existing school, must also demonstrate a clear and viable school plan in their application. For candidates who may replace leaders in existing autonomous schools, we work with the candidate and the target school to develop a clear succession plan.

Applications are accepted from around the country, but candidates must intend to open or lead schools in Colorado to be eligible for fellowships. 

GSS Fellowship Selection Criteria

Get Smart Leaders are SMART.

Applicants for the Fellowship are evaluated based on their previous experiences, in-depth interviews and written statements. We are looking for a clear demonstration of the following dispositions: 

Strategic: Analytical and data-driven in planning and decision-making, especially towards instructional improvements and results; proactive and focused on long-term goals and purposes.

Mission-Driven: Demonstrates relentless drive and determination to achieve results; sets high expectations and ambitious goals for self and for the organization; entrepreneurial in taking initiative and calculated risks; avoids distractions but know when to seize quick wins to advance the mission.

Accountable: Takes responsibility for behavior, results and mistakes; respectfully answers to and collaborates with one’s community and partners; ties personal achievements, successes and failures to those of the organization.

Reflective: Able to perceive, control, and evaluate emotions; shows self-knowledge, awareness of others, and ability to influence group dynamics; treats others with respect; shows humility in giving credit to and empowering others.

Tenacious: Perseveres through adversity; adjusts course quickly when necessary; demonstrates flexibility in applying strategies to meet goals; bounces back after setbacks.

Other factors used in the selection process include:

• Quality of school concept and/or target placement post-Fellowship
• Classroom instructional experience with demonstrable achievement results
• Educational accomplishments, including grades, relevant coursework, and/or graduate degrees related to the operation or the mission of the school
• Involvement in autonomous school start-up (leader, teacher, board member, etc.)
• Related work experience in sectors outside of education, especially in entrepreneurial or managerial roles
• Experience with low-income populations and communities
• Bi-lingual skills

Application Process

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2012-13 Fellowship program. Interviews will be conducted in rounds beginning in February 2012 and ending in July 2012. Candidates will be notified of their application status within two weeks of submission.