All Events 

The Leadership for Educational Achievement Foundation, Inc. (LEAF, Inc.) provides high quality professional learning to support superintendent development (pre-service and in-service) and the development of school district leadership team members. In partnership with The Council, LEAF’s programs are research-based, aligned to the needs of the field, responsive to changing expectations for school leaders, and cost effective.

Learn more about LEAF, Inc. and the impact it has on education.

Events

Events
August 4 - 5, 2025

New Superintendents Orientation

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports in New York and grow your network.
August 11 - 12, 2025

Diversity & Inclusivity Symposium

Join us in Ithaca, NY for our annual Diversity Symposium and Thought Leaders: Cultivating Excellence and Equity to discuss diversity and inclusion and connect in thoughtful dialogue with school districts across New York.
September 28 - 30, 2025

2025 Fall Leadership Summit

September 28 - 30, 2025

New Superintendents Institute: Fall Leadership Summit

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports and to grow your network.
September 28

Cabinet Pre-Institute

Please join us for a special pre-Institute session sponsored by the Council's Cabinet Committee focused on the influence and impact of artificial intelligence.  One of the most significant challenges facing school districts in this era is the degree to which these tools have undermined = made vulnerable- traditional, content focused goals, instructional approaches, and assessment practices. Ironically, these very tools can also be used to make these same curricular frameworks more durable by focusing on uniquely human skills, like those found in many districts’ vision of the graduate. This session will explore these challenges and provide guidance for how to future proof your instructional practices by focusing on the critical skills required by every student for success in life, learning and work beyond school. Presenter: Jonathan P. Costa, Sr. is the Executive Director of EdAvance in Litchfield, Connecticut. His experience and practice have been informed by time spent in secondary history instruction, district curriculum development, for-profit corporate management, executive leadership and consulting. Since 1990, Jonathan’s work has taken him to over 150 districts in the tri-state area. The primary focus of Jonathan’s current practice is assisting districts in their planning to prepare students for a world being transformed by artificial intelligence. He is the author of the Corwin Press book, Digital Learning for All, Now and is a former Vice Chair of the Litchfield Board of Education. He has also served on the Commission for International Education and has led international school accreditation visits on five continents. All are welcome and lunch will be provided.
October 7 - January 6 , 2026

Resilient Leadership Institute

A superintendent’s steadiness shapes an entire system. This four-part series invites superintendents and assistant superintendents to look inward into the biology of stress, the psychology of compassion, and the small, repeatable moves that foster both. Each one-hour session braids: Science – concise, research-backed insights on the nervous system, cognitive load, and the ripple effects of compassionate leadership. Practice – guided micro-exercises (breath, embodiment, reflective writing) to build real-time regulation and perspective-taking skills. Community Building – structured protocols that transform the room into a circle of trust, turning isolation into collegial support. Spaced scheduling gives leaders room to apply the tools between meetings and return with lived experience, questions, and data from their own districts.
October 16

Legal Leadership in Education

Join us for our Legal Leadership in Education: Navigating Rights, Responsibilities and Risk located at our new offices in Latham, NY.
November 13 - 14, 2025

Women's Initiative Summit 2025

"Bridging Voices, Building Leaders: Women Shaping Tomorrow's Education Today
November 16 - 17, 2025

New Superintendents Institute

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports in New York and to grow your network.
December 10

New Superintendents Coffee & Conversation

Join us for a brief check in with new superintendents from around the state to discuss issues on your mind or share ideas with colleagues and NYSCOSS. Veteran superintendents will be on hand to share guidance and experiences.
January 26

New Superintendents Institute

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports in New York and to grow your network.
March 2

New Superintendents Institute: Winter Institute

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports and to grown your network.
March 25

New Superintendents Coffee & Conversation

Join us for a brief check in with new superintendents from around the state to discuss issues on your mind or share ideas with colleagues and NYSCOSS. Veteran superintendents will be on hand to share guidance and experiences.
May 20

New Superintendents Coffee & Conversation

Join us for a brief check in with new superintendents from around the state to discuss issues on your mind or share ideas with colleagues and NYSCOSS. Veteran superintendents will be on hand to share guidance and experiences.

2025 Fall Leadership Summit

Advancing Innovation:  Leading and Learning at the Pace of Change

Saratoga Springs City Center and Saratoga Hilton
Saratoga Springs, NY 

September 28-30, 2025

Education Session Call for Proposals is now closed.
Event and housing registration now open for attendees. Review event website to learn more and to register.