The System Leader Learning Lab (SL3) is a cohort-based professional learning and community-building experience for school-system leaders responsible for social studies curriculum decisions. SL3 helps leaders overcome common barriers to adopting and implementing high-quality, culturally responsive materials—by building practical tools, leadership strategies, and a strong peer network.

Application for 2026 cohort is live!

Apply here!

SL3 Cohort participants will leave the program with…

  • ✺

    A clearer adoption + implementation plan for high-quality social studies in your system (priorities, sequencing, and next steps)

  • ✺

    Tools to diagnose and address common implementation barriers (time, training, materials alignment, stakeholder buy-in)

  • ✺

    Stronger leadership skills for systems work: change management, communication, relationship-building, and resourcing

  • ✺

    A national peer network for ongoing problem-solving and shared resources

Participant Profile

Ideal participants are district or charter-network leaders who:

Lead or strongly influence social studies curriculum decisions (adoption, implementation, or instructional support)

Work in systems serving 5,000+ students

Have a clear problem of practice to tackle during the program (ex. implementation, curriculum evaluation, stakeholder alignment)

Have supervisor/organization support to participate

Can commit to attending sessions and completing light between-session application work

Program Content

The program will consist of seven 2-3 hour workshops held virtually from May to December 2026. Actual dates and times of all sessions will be released before the cohort starts. Session topics are included here.

SL3 Introduction, Frameworks and Applied Learning Projects| May 2026

1

Vision Setting| June 2026

2

3

Curriculum: Content Creators and Codesign | July 2026

4

Building Shared Interest to Accelerate Change | August 2026

5

Change Management & Relationship Building | September 2026

6

Communication & Leadership | October 2026

7

Impact Evaluation & Showcase | December 2026

Program Timeline

Timeline

Application Available: Late January 2026

Application Deadline: February 20, 2026, then rolling

Application Review: February through April 2026

Interviews: February through April 2026

Selection & Intake: April 2026

Program: May-December 2026

Program Details

Requirements:

  • Seven 2-3 hour virtual sessions with expert facilitators

  • Homework assignments focused on applying learnings from sessions to your own work.

Additional Features:

  • Opportunity to attend monthly office hours with field experts & facilitators

  • Network of cohort members, experts, and alumni

Cost: $5,000. Full and partial scholarships are available, and we encourage leaders to apply regardless of ability to pay. Scholarship consideration is included as part of the application process.

1. Submit Application by Mar 6th

How to Apply

2. If selected to move forward, complete a short interview

Application for 2026 cohort is live!

Apply here!

3. Finalists receive confirmation and onboarding details

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • Sessions are led by our core program facilitators and experts in the field:

    Program Facilitators

    • Andrea Foggy-Paxton, Founder at Social Studies Accelerator & Entrepreneur-in-Residence at EdLoC

    • Ebony McKiver, Chief Program Officer & Social Studies Content Expert at Social Studies Accelerator

    • Robert Sheffield, Managing Partner at ScaleUp & former President at CORE Learning

    • Evan Gutierrez, CEO at CommonGood Education

    Example Collaborators

  • The individuals best suited for SL3 are those most directly responsible for selecting, evaluating or implementing social studies content for your school system. This person may have a central office role (ex. Director of Social Studies, Social Studies Coordinator), but in some districts, may have a school-based role with additional district-wide social studies responsibilities. Alongside the participant profile, individuals that are available and committed to attending all sessions and office hours, and willing to engage thoughtfully with the cohort and content will find the most value in the experience.

  • Participants can expect interactive, primarily virtual sessions led by expert facilitators who will share strategies, tools, and insights from their extensive experience. The sessions will focus on skill-building essential for leadership growth, including vision-building, curriculum evaluation, co-design, change management, and effective communication. Sessions will include practical application through hands-on practice and consultancies with fellow participants, as well as dedicated time for community building.

  • In addition to attending sessions, participants will have brief assignments after each session, most focused on how to apply the learnings from session to their own work via an action learning project. Participants will also be encouraged to attend an Action Coaching session each month with our facilitators and experts to receive support based on their individual needs and context.

  • An application will be available starting in January 2026. Participants can either be nominated or directly apply. The process will consist of an application and interview with our team. Selected candidates will be invited to interview on a rolling basis starting in late January and we will notify all applicants of their status by early March 2026.​

  • Tuition is $5,000 per participant. Full and partial scholarships are available, and we encourage leaders to apply regardless of ability to pay.