Each year, ASCD inducts a new class of Emerging Leaders. These educators are driven, accomplished, diverse, and passionate, and they're ready to get more involved with ASCD.

ASCD is accepting applications until April 1.

But how do you know if you or your colleague is a good fit for the program? We thought some current and former Emerging Leaders would be the best people to help answer that question.

1. What would you tell someone who is considering applying for the ASCD Emerging Leaders program?

"Do it! I wasn't sure if I was 'qualified enough' to be accepted, and I was. It's totally worth a try because you get to do some neat stuff if you are accepted!"  - Amy Vanden Boogart, 2011 Emerging Leader

What kind of neat stuff, you ask? Check out some of the things ASCD Emerging Leaders have done:

• Received waived registration to attend the invitation-only Leader to Leader (L2L) Conference
• Elected to the ASCD Leadership Council as a Member at Large
• Elected as ASCD affiliate presidents and presidents-elect
• Wrote for the ASCD Inservice blog
• Featured in Educational Leadership
• Contributed to Educational Leadership's Among Colleagues column
• Vlogged and blogged on ASCD EDge
• Wrote a column for EdTech Digest
• Wrote a story for ASCD Express
• Guest-posted on Rick Hess' EdWeek blog
• Featured in the Christian Science Monitor's "30 Ideas From People Under 30" series
• Served on the Emerging Leaders Selection Committee
• Served on the ASCD Annual Conference Planning Committee
• Coached Emerging Leaders as alumni of the program

This weekend, Emerging Leaders will also give Ignite presentations at a special session at ASCD Annual Conference on Friday afternoon from 1-4 pm on March 23. Would you like to join us? RSVP here to attend. 

2. What is your favorite part of the ASCD Emerging Leaders program?

"I enjoy that I have been able to network with other young education leaders who share my passion for finding the best ways to teach children and help teachers do the best job they can. I have had several opportunities to do this so far, and I know there are more to come." - Amy Vanden Boogart, 2011 Emerging Leader

"I can say without any reservation that the best part of the Emerging Leader program is the cameraderie with the other Emerging Leaders!! [Social networking] has been a great way for us to connect and continue discussions throughout the year." - Christina Yuknis, 2011 Emerging Leader

"The Emerging Leaders program is an opportunity to be a part of the conversation among leaders who are working at the highest levels to improve practices and policies that impact children. Through these conversations; connections develop and opportunities emerge. In time, my perception of ASCD shifted from viewing it as a large national organization that I benefited from as a member, to an accessible network of colleagues with whom I could collaborate and share."
- Tony Frontier, 2007 Emerging Leader

3. How would someone know if he/she is a good fit for the Emerging Leaders program?

Are you passionate? Are you hard-working? Are you willing to get yourself to events where you can network with other leaders (certain conferences, etc.)? Are you in need of a push to do some of the things you've been wanting to do, like get more involved with ASCD, write for some of their publications, etc.? Then the Emerging Leaders program is for you!
- Amy Vanden Boogart, 2011 Emerging Leader 

"If you find yourself constantly thinking about school reform and how you can use your experience and voice to empower others, you might be ready for ASCD's Emerging Leaders program. Being an emerging leader is about a commitment to the mission of ASCD and knowing that we are not only teachers, but we are also leaders who can touch the future in ways we may never realize. Being an emerging leader is a calling to share your passion as an educator every day and in every forum." - Dave Scott, 2008 Emerging Leader, excerpt from his Whole Child Blog post "Touching the Future"

Are you an Emerging Leader?

4. Complete this sentence: The Emerging Leader program is not…

"Easy. It has been a lot of work to do the things that I took on as my Emerging Leaders goals (such as drafting an article to submit to ASCD Express, preparing a presentation for the annual conference, trying to stay in touch with my local affiliate, etc.) But I hope that by the end of my 2 years, I will feel that the time I have invested has been worth it." - Amy Vanden Boogart, 2011 Emerging Leader

Want to learn more? Program information and the online application are now available at http://www.ascd.org/emergingleaders. Applications close April 1.

Questions? E-mail constituentservices@ascd.org.