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Academic Programs

Future School Leaders Academy

EdM

  • Program Overview

    Future School Leaders Academy focuses on building leaders for school districts in Northern Westchcester and Putnam counties.

    The Future School Leaders Academy (FSLA) program, now entering its 20th year, prepares school and district leaders for educational leader roles in Northern Westchester and Putnam county school districts. Through a longstanding partnership with Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, Bank Street College elicits nominations of candidates with outstanding leadership potential from district leaders.

    As a student in FSLA, you will work with current educational leaders and Bank Street faculty who blend classroom-based learning and authentic field experiences to provide a rich learning experience. You will engage in fieldwork within the context of your school and district offices. Courses take place on the BOCES campus in Yorktown Heights.

    This program culminates in a Master of Education and requires 30 credits.

    Students in a leadership class

  • Admissions Requirements

    In addition to the main admissions criteria, there are additional requirements needed to apply for this program:

    • Applicants must have 3 years of head teaching/pupil personnel experience.
    • Letters of recommendation must come from the superintendent of your district AND from the principal or director of your school.
    • Applicants must already have a master’s degree in education.
  • Coursework

  • Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement

    Supervised fieldwork/advisement lies at the heart of a Bank Street education. Through sustained experiences in the field, supervision from core faculty, and close collaboration with peers, our graduate students develop the ability to connect theory to practice and to reflect deeply on their own growth as educators. In this program:

    • Fieldwork is standards-based and developmentally focused to gaining independent leadership skills.
    • You will have both building and district leadership responsibilities.
    • You will be supervised by a Bank Street advisor and on-site school and district leaders.
    • You will complete 600 hours throughout the two-year program.
    • Your current school or district location will be your fieldwork site.
  • Career Opportunities

    Your degree will provide you with a range of career opportunities:

    • School based leaders—Principal, assistant principal, or educational administrator positions.
    • District based leaders—superintendent, assistant superintendent, district curriculum coordinator, district staff development coordinator.
    • Other educational leadership roles: Administrator in a non-school or other educational setting.
  • Faculty

  • Dual Certification

    Upon graduation from this program, you are eligible for:

    • New York State School Building Leader (SBL) certification for those who meet experience requirements and pass the state assessments.
    • New York State School District Leader (SDL) certification for those who meet experience and credit requirements and pass the state assessments.
Andrea Nardella

Alumni Spotlight: Andrea Nardella

We are proud of the tremendous work our alumni are doing in the world of education, even during challenging times. Andrea Nardella, GSE ’21, was awarded the 2021 School Partnerships Award by the School of Education at Pace University for her work to create a tutoring initiative during the pandemic. Through the program, Nardella, a literacy teacher at Ossining Union Free School District and graduate of Bank Street’s Future School Leaders Academy, helped to enhance Pace’s partnership with the district and foster a positive learning community.