Increasing student achievement through supporting leadership growth
TLN registration is now open for the 2026-2027 school year!
The Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) invites school principals to register for a year-long professional learning experience. The Transformational Leaders' Network (TLN) is a practical, relationship-centered professional learning opportunity for school leaders to enhance their leadership practice and strengthen outcomes for schools and communities. The TLN occurs through a series of in-person and remote/regional meetings offered across the state during the school year. All principals, from the novice to the veteran and from large suburban schools to small rural schools, are invited to participate.
New this year: a Leadership Series for Assistant School Leaders — see Strengthening Leadership from Within below.
About the Transformational Leaders' Network
The Transformational Leaders' Network (TLN) creates an ongoing community of principals engaged in sustained professional learning that strengthens leadership identity, emotional intelligence, organizational capacity, and long-term sustainability.
The most important aspects of TLN can be summed up in these words: connection and community, learning and reflection, and safety and support. Rather than a typical professional development program, TLN is a professional lifeline, providing a trusted community where school leaders find belonging, clarity, and collective wisdom.
Each session involves sharing challenging issues, experiencing tools for leading at your school, and exploring relevant leadership literature in a community of like-minded learners. TLN emphasizes practical leadership habits and skills that strengthen effectiveness while reducing unnecessary burden.
The 2026-2027 TLN theme is "The Principal Effect and the Power of Mattering." This opportunity will reflect current research regarding principal effectiveness, professional learning, leadership sustainability, emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and school climate, while honoring the realities of increasingly complex school leadership.
"We dream together about what education can be and walk out the door refreshed and ready to take on the next day."
— TLN Principal, 2023-24
"Every time I leave, I have something I can use right away."
— TLN Principal, 2025-2026
- Continuous job-embedded professional development for an increasingly complex role.
- A collaborative learning community, as participants tackle authentic leadership challenges together.
- Learning about what emotional intelligence, mattering, and leadership presence looks like in practice.
- Strategies for strengthening school climate and culture by building trust, establishing stronger connections, communicating openly, and supporting and engaging staff more effectively.
- Learning about creating steadier school environments during periods of challenge and change through sustainable and systems-oriented leadership.
- Learning about navigating conflict, pressure, and complexity.
- Learning about staff ownership, increasing collective efficacy, supporting leadership succession, and strengthening workforce.
"It really changed how I support teachers, how I build a more positive school culture." — TLN Principal, 2024-25
"I see it (TLN) as kind of a 'boots on the ground' experience that you don't get until you're in it… it's about recognizing the leader as a whole person, understanding that emotional well-being is a key component of strong leadership." — TLN Principal, 2024-25
2026-2027 Schedule
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- September 18, 2026 — Lewiston
- October 23, 2026 — Bangor
- December 4, 2026 — Augusta
- January 22, 2027 — Brunswick
- April 30, 2027 — Bangor
Weeks of:
- November 15, 2026
- March 1, 2027
Transformational Leaders' Network Registration 2026-27
The TLN registration fee is $295 per participant for the full year of professional learning, including all TLN content, activities, and materials.
If you are the leader of an identified school under Maine's Model of School Supports (MMSS) — TSI (Targeted School Improvement), ATSI (Additional Targeted School Improvement), or CSI/CSI-R (Comprehensive School Improvement) — please contact Christina O'Neal at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov for a discount code to cover your registration fees.
Participants will be responsible for travel. Scholarship funds will be available to assist with travel expenses, with scholarships awarded on a first-come, first-served basis prioritizing need, utilizing a CTB process and specific eligibility and fund guidelines. If interested in learning more about scholarship funding, please email Christina O'Neal at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov.
- New Leadership Series for Assistant School Leaders
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Strengthening Leadership from Within
A Leadership Series for Assistant Principals, Deans of Students, and Lead Members of Leadership Teams
Two In-Person Sessions + One Virtual Connection
Facilitated by Maine's Transformational Leaders' Network (TLN)"Professional learning opportunities for school leaders can build leadership capacity and develop leaders' competence across the full range of their responsibilities—empowering them to foster environments in which adults and students thrive." — Learning Policy Institute & Wallace Foundation (2026)
Session 1 (In Person) — November 6, 2026, 8:30–2:30, location TBD
Leading Beyond Position: Building Presence, Influence, and Leadership IdentityAssistant principals, Deans of Students, and Leadership Team members will explore:
- Transitioning from expert practitioner to systems leader
- Emotional intelligence and leadership presence
- Building trust and credibility
- Supporting adults while managing competing priorities
- Understanding influence beyond authority
Session 2 (90-min. Virtual Connection) — February 5, 2027
Learning from Practice: Conversations with Maine PrincipalsParticipants will engage in facilitated conversations centered on authentic leadership challenges, including:
- Difficult conversations
- Managing complexity and middle-management pressures
- Supporting school culture
- Building staff leadership
- Protecting sustainability in leadership work
Session 3 (In Person) — May 14, 2027, 8:30–2:30, location TBD
Creating Conditions Where Others GrowParticipants will explore:
- Building teacher leadership
- Strengthening staff and student mattering
- Shared decision-making
- Developing climate and culture
- Leadership succession and sustainability
Through this work, TLN intends to strengthen Maine's leadership pipeline while reinforcing the belief that effective leadership development begins long before the principalship itself.
The cost of the Leadership Series for Assistant School Leaders is $120 per participant. This includes all content, materials, and meals for in-person meetings. Participants will be responsible for covering their own travel.
To register, please visit: https://events.bizzabo.com/947076
With questions, please contact Christina O'Neal, Maine DOE Educator Excellence Coordinator, at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov.
- Participants' Feedback
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"I took a lot of information back and that's how I ran my meetings…really helped structure and have purpose and a 'why' to why we're meeting about certain things."
— Principal, TLN 2024-25"TLN discussions helped me refine my approach and work with staff to build team alignment."
— Principal, TLN 2024-25"It was helpful to share current issues I'm facing, and we also had time to reflect and plan. The opportunity to connect was incredibly valuable. The most impactful aspect was having dedicated time to focus solely on improving my leadership skills without school interruptions. As leaders, we rarely get such opportunities."
— Principal, TLN 2023-24"I'm entering my 19th year as a principal. The challenges of leadership hit a climax last year. I'm hoping that participating in the TLN will help me see the joy again…I'm excited to collaborate with other leaders…"
— Principal, TLN 2023-24"My school is no longer on the Tier 3 list. Over the past 4 years, my work with the TLN has been instrumental in developing clear improvement plans for the school. TLN provided me with time to plan, a network of colleagues to exchange ideas with, and valuable resources to draw from."
— Principal, TLN 2023-24"My experience in the TLN has encouraged me to lean a little bit harder into that vulnerable side of leadership. We are a very small, rural district…Time in the TLN gave me perspective on where to focus my energy, how to communicate effectively to build transparent and trusting relationships, and to always approach this role with the mindset of meeting people where they are."
— Principal, TLN 2023-24"Today's activities were incredibly effective for me: Conversations brought shape to my nebulous, partially developed thoughts. Role-play pushed me to the very edge of my comfort zone and helped me develop my ability to navigate hard (and important) conversations. I continue to be grateful for the safe culture and sense of camaraderie and community that allows me to be vulnerable and take risks."
"Today was phenomenal, as always! I have become more aware (and have lots of work to do) around systems thinking. The coaching stems were so amazing, and I will put those to use immediately…I have 3 things to try/implement—a conversation, a protocol, and some classroom visits—SUPER HELPFUL."
"TLN activities and conversations give me permission to stretch my thinking and to be more creative in problem-solving."
"Sometimes it's good to just realize we are not alone. When I talk through challenges and problem solve it helps me to be a better leader."
"What I appreciate the most about TLN is that it's a 'time-out' from the pressures of leading a school. It's a chance to catch my breath and reflect on my approach to the work."
"The support TLN provided shaped my leadership for the better. In addition, I have made professional relationships with these individuals. I have a sounding board that is an email or phone call away. Creating a professional network is vital to any leadership position, and I am grateful that the TLN helped to facilitate ours."
Contact
Christina L. O'Neal, PhD
Educator Excellence Coordinator
Email: Christina.L.ONeal@maine.gov
Frances Farr
Lead Facilitator
Email: franfarr522@gmail.com