The Rural School Leadership Academy (RSLA) is a year-long career development accelerator for rural educators, designed to help teachers build leadership skills, advance their careers, and create lasting impact while staying and leading in their local communities.
Donor Name: Teach For America
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/13/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Rural School Leadership Academy (RSLA) is a fully funded, yearlong leadership accelerator for educators in rural schools and systems. RSLA is open to non-alumni of Teach For America.
Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or growing your impact as a school or system leader, RSLA is designed to help you lead where you are—rooted in your community, with the tools and support to go further.
Through a blend of virtual learning, in-person convenings, immersive school visits, and personalized coaching, RSLA provides:
- Practical, role-specific leadership development you can apply immediately
- A national network of rural educators and leaders
- Clear pathways to expand your career and influence
Eligibility Criteria
- RSLA is open to all educators working in rural PK–12 school settings for the 2026-27 school year. You do not need to be a Teach For America alum.
- Teach For America welcomes:
- Track 1 – Aspiring Leaders: Teachers seeking to grow into adult-facing leadership roles within the next 1–3 years.
- Track 2 – Emerging Leaders: Educators in roles such as APs, Deans, or Coaches actively preparing for principalship.
- Track 3 – Current Principals: School leaders and principals looking to sustain and expand their leadership in place.
- Track 4- District Level Roles: District level staff, assistant superintendents, and superintendents.
- Track 5- Rural School Leadership Academy Alumni: Former participants who are looking to come back as program mentors or apply for the program again if they are in a different track.
For more information, visit Teach For America.
