Elle Rodriguez Named gcLi Scholar

Elle Rodriguez, 3rd grade teacher at University School of Milwaukee, has been invited by the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute (gcLi) to participate in the gcLi Scholars Program in June 2025. gcLi scholars are graduates of the gcLi Leadership Lab, which is an annual conference on the campus of the Fountain Valley (Colorado) School where K–12 teachers and administrators from across North America learn how to develop the leadership competencies of their students.

As a scholar, Rodriguez will participate in Leadership Lab activities, lead a breakout session, write a piece for the gcLi blog, and be interviewed on the gcLi podcast. Rodriguez attended the Leadership Lab in summer of 2024 as part of a Think Big grant in which teachers can apply for funding to engage in professional development opportunities.

“My experience at the Leadership Lab last summer was truly transformative,” said Rodriguez. “I learned how important identity work is to cultivating leadership talent not only within our students but within ourselves as well. This school year, I’ve worked hard to apply the teachings from the Lab in my classroom and I’ve seen it pay off in the way my students are confident, collaborative, and kind leaders in their own unique ways. I’m excited to share the work I’ve done with other Lab attendants this summer!”