The 2027 NIET Fellowship for Chief Instructional Leaders

Building a system that learns is essential to sustained improvement in student achievement. The NIET Fellowship for Chief Instructional Leaders invites a select group of transformational school district leaders to a year-long educational leadership experience that strengthens their capacity to lead meaningful, sustainable improvement in K-12 instruction and student outcomes. Fellows will strengthen their implementation of instructional structures and systems, and build their strategic planning, instructional leadership, and change management skills. This cohort of leaders from across the country will enhance their ability to drive greater system alignment, support teachers and principals, and increase student learning through ensuring instructional excellence at every level. As a result, schools and districts will be better positioned to retain effective school and teacher leaders, ultimately driving lasting, systemic change.

By integrating sustained learning, real-world application, expert facilitation, and peer collaboration, the fellowship develops leaders who are equipped to create lasting instructional and organizational improvement.

• Focused on transformational change: This sustained leadership experience challenges district leaders to rethink how they lead instructional improvement across their district, and how their district’s instructional systems and structures can be more cohesive and aligned. 
• Moves learning into leading: Fellows apply new ideas in their own contexts, reflect on their impact, and refine their approaches to navigate complex educational landscapes, lead change, and respond effectively to evolving educational challenges.
• Built around a community of executive peers: Fellows engage with a cohort of district leaders from across systems who bring shared experiences and diverse perspectives as well as NIET experts who facilitate learning, collaboration, and ongoing support resulting in a network that fosters continued collaboration beyond the fellowship.
• Designed for lasting change: Leaders complete the fellowship equipped with the mindset, leadership competencies, practical tools, and professional network needed to drive broader, deeper, and more sustainable system-wide improvement.

Fellows Cohort of 2027

Catasha Edwards, Chief Academic Officer, East Baton Rouge Parish School System, Louisiana

Catasha Edwards serves as Chief Academic Officer for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, leading efforts to strengthen high-quality instruction and improve student achievement. With more than 25 years in education, she has served as a teacher, school administrator, principal, and state-level leader, including Deputy Chief of Staff for Teaching and Learning at the Louisiana Department of Education. A former award-winning principal, Catasha is passionate about developing educators, advancing instructional excellence, and creating student-centered systems. She is deeply committed to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s vision of educating all students for success, ensuring every student receives high-quality teaching and meaningful support.

Dr. Bernard E. Frost, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Orangeburg County School District, South Carolina

Dr. Bernard E. Frost is an accomplished educational leader and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Orangeburg County School District in South Carolina. He brings more than 20 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, mathematics leadership, professional development, curriculum design, and district administration. A passionate advocate for engaging instruction and innovative learning, Dr. Frost has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Walden University and degrees from Converse College and Furman University. A 2026–2027 Fulbright Global Leaders Program awardee, he remains committed to developing educators, strengthening instructional systems, and transforming learning opportunities for students.

Dr. Jennifer Gutierrez, Deputy Superintendent, South San Antonio Independent School District, Texas

Dr. Jennifer Gutierrez serves as Deputy Superintendent of South San Antonio Independent School District. Throughout her 25-year career, she has led meaningful transformation as a teacher, instructional coach, campus leader, and district administrator. A first-generation high school and college graduate, Dr. Gutierrez is driven to give back to communities by expanding opportunity and helping every student thrive. She holds degrees from California State University, Northridge, Pepperdine University, and Liberty University. Guided by high expectations, integrity, collaboration, and service, she inspires others to lead courageously, build collective capacity, and keep student learning at the heart of every educational decision and practice.

Lela Marshall, Chief Learning Officer, Indianapolis Public Schools, Indiana

Lela Marshall is currently the Chief Learning Officer with Indianapolis Public Schools supporting IPS schools and academic departments. Previously, she served as the Chief Schools Officer, Executive Director of Schools, Director of Secondary, principal, instructional coach, and teacher in IPS, School City of Hammond and School City of East Chicago. Lela is a lover of all things leadership, is passionate about urban education, and is relentless in the pursuit of educational equity for ALL students. As the first person in her family to go to college, she is dedicated to supporting students in achieving the future of their dreams.

Tracy Padilla, Deputy Superintendent, Somerset Independent School District, Texas

Tracy Padilla has dedicated 26 years to the field of education, serving in a variety of leadership and instructional roles. Her experience includes teaching 7th grade English language arts and reading at the middle school level, serving as a high school counselor, and holding administrative positions as an assistant principal, elementary principal, and high school principal. For the past 11 years, she has served at Somerset Independent School District where she currently holds the position of Deputy Superintendent. While serving as the elementary principal, her school received a National Blue Ribbon School designation and a NIET Founder’s Award nomination. Additionally, Somerset High School was selected as winner of the NIET Founder’s Award during her tenure as principal. Tracy is committed to educational excellence, student success, and continuous school improvement.

Abby Potter-Davis, Chief Officer for Learning and Equity, Osborn School District #8, Arizona

Abby Potter-Davis is the Chief Officer for Learning and Equity at Osborn School District #8 in Phoenix, Arizona, where she leads districtwide efforts to advance teaching, learning, and equitable outcomes for students. With more than 15 years of experience in education leadership, Abby has served as a teacher, principal, curriculum and instruction leader, and cabinet-level executive. Her work focuses on building high-quality instructional systems, developing educators and leaders, strengthening literacy and multilingual learner outcomes, and using data to drive continuous improvement. A passionate advocate for educational equity, Abby brings a student-centered, collaborative approach to transforming systems and creating meaningful opportunities for every learner.

Laura Roussel, Chief Academic Officer, Jefferson Parish Schools, Louisiana

Laura Roussel serves as Chief Academic Officer for Jefferson Parish Schools, Louisiana’s largest school district. With more than 30 years in education, she has led at the school, district, state, national, and higher-education levels. As a systems leader, she builds aligned structures, develops leadership capacity, and connects strategy to daily practice to achieve sustainable results. Under her leadership, Jefferson Parish Schools earned its first consecutive B rating and eliminated all F-rated schools. Laura’s leadership is based on clarity, collaboration, and courage—building trust, creating collective ownership, and keeping students at the center of every decision and action across the organization each day.

Jeff Spencer, Assistant Superintendent for Foundational Learning, Perry Township Schools, Indiana

Jeff Spencer serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Foundational Learning, dedicated to elevating student achievement through authentic, engaging, project-based learning. Over an impactful career in Perry Township Schools, he previously served as Director of Secondary Education and Principal of Southport Elementary School. Honored as the 2019–2020 Perry Township Administrator of the Year and the 2021 District 7 Elementary Principal of the Year, Spencer consistently drives academic excellence. Having served in multiple leadership roles within the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) system, he remains committed to empowering educators, fostering collaborative culture, and improving long-term outcomes for every student.