The Essential Leadership Cadre Program
The Essential Leadership
Cadre Program is an ideal opportunity available to members who are
interested in developing leadership skills. It is especially designed for women and minority members who
are within their first five years into their careers; however, it is
also open to any member with a desire to learn how to become an effective
leader. NEA-NM benefits
from this program as it fills the need for a new young and vibrant pool
of Association leaders, to fill leadership positions being vacated by
veteran leaders who are retiring.
How did the ELC Program
come into being?
The Essential Leadership
Cadre evolved out of two programs that existed in NEA-NM, the Emerging
Leaders and Essential Resources. In November of 2000,
the first training of the newly created Essential Leadership Cadre took
place. Jenny Phelps from
NEA Human and Civil Rights Division and two other national trainers
conducted the training. NEA-NM’s Essential Leadership
Cadre program received the NEA’s Human and Civil and Rights Rosena
J. Willis Memorial Award, at the Annual HCR 2001 Awards Banquet.
What is the process for getting into
the program?
Recruitment into the
program is based on statewide nominations. Local presidents, members of the NEA-NM Board of Directors, ESP
Caucus, Minority Caucus, Minority Affairs Committee, State leadership
and UniServ Staff, may nominate you. Another goal of the program is to have ELCs represented from
all the governance regions.
How many ELCs are
there, and how long is the commitment?
There are at least 20
to 30 ELCs in a class, committed to a two-year program. There are at least two to three training opportunities exclusively
for ELCs in each year of the two-year program. In addition to those exclusive trainings, there may be requirements
to attend other NEA-NM trainings and workshops. Upon completion of the
two-year training period, ELCs graduate. ELCs who have graduated agree to mentor incoming ELCs, and
if they are not already in a leadership position, they also commit to
at least running for local, state, or national office.
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Here are some comments from Essential
Leaders who have gone through the Program or are currently enrolled:
“The Essential Leadership
Cadre has fundamentally changed how I view my role as an educational
leader in the community. My
confidence and skills as a leader have dramatically changed since I’ve
entered the program.”
Lisa Sloan, NEA-Belen
“Essential Leaders Cadre
has been one of the most progressive programs I have ever had the opportunity
to participate in. It provided
me with intensive training in leadership skills that not only benefited
our local and state organization. But also benefited me on a personal
and professional basis.”
Sabina Aguilar, Lovington Education Association
