How MCLA’s Leadership Academy Turns Teachers Into School Leaders

October 15, 2026

Anita Hoyt entered the Leadership Academy at MCLA as an elementary intervention specialist. She's now principal of Ostrander Elementary School in Wallkill, New York.

"Administration was never a path I saw for myself," Hoyt said. She wanted a broader impact, coaching and supporting teachers, but came to MCLA unsure administration was right for her and "hesitant to leave the comfort of a role I loved."

"Ultimately, it helped me realize I belong in educational leadership," she said, "and, most importantly, believe that I had the ability to lead."

Vanessa Jioia is earlier in her leadership journey. A science teacher and athletic coach at Port Richmond High School in Staten Island, she joined this year's cohort hoping to become an assistant principal or principal.

"I learned that school leadership is not a one-size-fits-all position," Jioia said. "Some take on the role of caregiver for the students and teachers, others are rooted in data, and some are philosophical thinkers. But a good leader is one who stays true to who they are."

For Marianne Young, who has served as Leadership Academy director since 2018, that kind of shift starts at the summer residency, when students leave their schools and spend time together on campus. “Student feedback following the July residency consistently tells the story of more informed and transformed thinking about the schools we create,” she said. “Students credit the instructors, the cultural venues we visit, the time away, and freedom to focus on this work, along with the varied and valuable perspectives shared by cohort members.” 

One of this year’s students wrote: “This was an exceptionally positive experience. What Marianne said on our last day really resonated: ‘We gave you the opportunities, but this is what you made it.’ In many ways, the residency is our first experience with leadership. We came together and made something amazing.”  

This July, the incoming cohort heard from Kim Marshall, author of "Rethinking Teacher Supervision and Evaluation" and publisher of The Marshall Memo. Marshall argues that most teacher-evaluation systems are ineffective, and makes the case for a model built on frequent, short classroom observations and ongoing feedback. Young said students are consistently inspired by his vision. This year he added a discussion of how artificial intelligence is starting to factor into teacher evaluation, which Young said became a hot topic among the cohort.

Additionally, Young said students are always inspired by the time spent at MASS MoCA and The Clark. “The Leadership Academy vision is rooted in social justice, and the exhibits at these art museums often challenge our assumptions.”

The Leadership Academy prepares educators for administrative licensure through a yearlong hybrid format of four on-campus residencies, school-based internships, and online coursework. It is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and recognized by the New York State Education Department. Close to 3,000 students have come through the program since it was founded in 1997. 

Learn more about the MCLA Leadership Academy by attending an upcoming information session or visit Leadership Academy & CAGS.