The Performance Partners Program is designed to support effective Philadelphia principals – “Performance Partners” – to achieve their most significant school goals and deepen the skills necessary to drive growth in student outcomes. Each Performance Partner is paired with an alum of the Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership (“Senior Fellow”) who shares expertise, encouragement, and skills utilizing a goals-based peer support approach.

Performance Partners are invited to participate in the program based on their potential to become a future Neubauer Fellow. Senior Fellows are invited based on demonstration of exceptional school leadership and interest in building their capacity to mentor and develop other leaders.

What we provide

Over the course of a year, the Performance Partners Program aims to:

• Support principals (Performance Partners) to achieve their most significant school and leadership development goals while honing critical skills to drive growth in student outcomes
• Support Neubauer Fellowship alumni (Senior Fellows) to develop their coaching skills to mentor other leaders while preparing for future school system leadership roles (e.g., assistant superintendent)
• Increase participants’ commitment to Philadelphia by developing a network of support

Performance Partners receive one-on-one support to achieve school-based goals, build their ability to increase student outcomes, and improve their candidacy for the Neubauer Fellowship. Senior Fellows receive a $2,000 honorarium for their full participation in the one-year program.

Program Components

During the Performance Partners Program:

• Participants attend three leadership development sessions
• Performance Partner/Senior Fellow pairs:
  • Develop and work towards achieving two specific goals for the Performance Partner: a school-specific goal to increase student achievement and a personal leadership goal aligned with Pennsylvania’s Framework for Leadership
  • Conduct at least five individualized coaching conversations to support achievement of the above goals
  • Evaluate progress towards goals throughout and at the conclusion of the program
• Senior Fellows also receive five coaching touchpoints to problem solve and better support their Performance Partners to reach their goals