Skip to main content
New cohort open

Build Ownership, Not Buy-In: Empowering School Teams for the Hard Work of Change

Adapt a framework for launching complex initiatives that achieve sustainable, impactful results.

Instructor: Eric Sheninger

Learn more
eric sheninger

Overview

It’s easy to talk about the importance of meeting all learners’ needs. It’s hard to launch programs that realistically achieve that goal. That type of whole-scale change demands more than just buy-in — it requires true ownership and commitment from every member of your team.

Join Eric Sheninger, founder of Aspire Change EDU and acclaimed author of Personalize: Meeting the Needs of All Learners, for this transformative 5-session live-virtual course designed to equip school leaders with the tools, strategies, and mindset to lead sustainable change-based initiatives and improve outcomes for all learners.

Through (5) interactive sessions, participants will:

  • Master the ‘Swiss Army Knife Approach’ to change: Build a diverse toolkit of strategies to navigate complex challenges, create a culture of adaptability, and inspire innovation.
  • Empower teams to ‘Take Ownership’: Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix and SWOT analysis to prioritize effectively, communicate clearly, and foster accountability within your team.
  • Lead with pedagogical purpose: Develop a student-centered vision for teaching and learning, build collaborative relationships, and champion innovative practices that drive student success.
  • Refine leadership through data and feedback: Leverage evidence-based strategies to inform decisions, provide meaningful feedback, and inspire professional growth.
  • Implement a cycle of continuous improvement: Strategically plan, evaluate outcomes, and sustain progress through reflective practices and adaptive strategies.

Each 90-minute session provides actionable insights, practical tools, and collaborative opportunities to help school leaders at every level build the capacity to drive lasting change.

Who should attend?
The (5) sessions in this cohort are ideal for superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, instructional leaders, department heads, and anyone responsible for guiding school teams and leading change initiatives.

Whether you’re launching a new initiative or refining existing processes, this experience will provide tools and strategies to build a culture of ownership and engagement across your school organization.

Why take this course?
Achieving real, lasting change in schools requires more than isolated efforts or quick fixes — it demands a team-wide commitment to a shared vision. By empowering school teams to take ownership of the change process, leaders can create a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation that improves outcomes for all learners.

Empower your team. Transform your leadership. Build a culture of lasting change. Register today!

Dates

Weekly Thursdays, starting in November, 2025

Cost

$495 per person
(discounts available for teams)

Who should attend

Superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, instructional leaders, department heads, and anyone responsible for guiding school teams and leading change initiatives

eric sheninger

Meet your instructor

Eric Sheninger is the founder and CEO of Aspire Change EDU, where he partners with schools worldwide to empower educators and improve outcomes for learners. A former award-winning principal, Eric transformed New Milford High School into a globally recognized model of innovation through sustainable change initiatives that increased achievement and redefined the learning culture.

As a best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Eric focuses on practical, research-based strategies that inspire transformative teaching, learning, and leadership.

His latest book is Personalize: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners with Nicki Slaugh.

The experience

Join educator, best-selling author and sought-after speaker Eric Sheninger for a collaborative, practical and action-oriented virtual cohort-based learning experience.

90-min. live interactive video sessions

Engage with Sheninger and colleagues from around the world via a series of (5) live, virtual learning sessions, conducted via Zoom, featuring discussion, interactive polls, breakout sessions & more.

Access to the RocketPD Learning Portal

Access session recordings and related practical learning resources, including tools, learning guides and discussion boards, via your own password-protected learning portal.

Certificate of Completion

Demonstrate your hard work and commitment. Upon completion, receive a customized Certificate of Completion that you can print out and share with your administration.

The outcomes

As a school leader, your programs are only as successful as your team’s ability (and commitment) to implement them. Through this cohort, you (and/or your team) will emerge from this experience with the following:

  • A personalized change-management toolkit to help you lead through challenges and obstacles with confidence.
  • A culture of ownership, accountability, and engagement within and among your school school team.
  • Leadership skills to help you champion innovative, student-centered learning.
  • Capacity for continuous improvement to help you (and your team) sustain meaningful, measurable success.

Praise for Eric Sheninger

“Eric Sheninger has been a key asset throughout my administrative career in my efforts to build capacity and restructure my organizational practice through the latest pedagogical methods. His work has helped improve my teachers’ abilities and student achievement across the nation in urban and suburban districts. In education everyday can be yesterday if you don’t stay ahead of the curve and Eric has been able to do just that.”

– Eric Crespo, Superintendent, Weehawken Township School District

(Weehawken, NJ)

“I have worked with Eric in different capacities since 2016, and he has a unique ability to both support and push administrators and teachers. In each situation, he has tailored his approach to the needs of the district and the practitioners and, while always keeping the focus on what is best for children.”

– Dr. Dave Moyer, Superintendent, Northport – East Northport Unified School District

(Northport, NY)

“Eric is an innovative, out-of-the-box thinker with a mission to disrupt and improve the education system. Eric is a passionate partner who takes pride in forming relationships with his schools and personalizes the coaching experience based on your needs. He is also one of the most dynamic keynote speakers that I have ever heard. Me and my staff laughed, cried, but most importantly were able to take ideas he presented and implement them immediately to improve our learning culture.”

– Nick Slaugh, Principal, Quest Academy Junior High School

(West Haven, UT)

The sessions

All sessions weekly on Thursday at 3:30 pm EST | 12:30 pm PST

Session #1

November 6, 2025 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern

Leveraging a Swiss Army Knife Approach to Change

Explore the concept of adaptability and versatility in navigating change to build ownership.

  • Develop your ‘Change Management Toolkit’: Identify and cultivate a range of change management tools and techniques.
  • Create a culture of adaptability and agility within the organization: Encourage employees to embrace change, learn new skills, and experiment with different approaches.
  • Conduct a change management ‘Tool Audit’: Regularly assess the effectiveness of existing initiatives. Identify gaps and proactively acquire new strategies and skills as needed.
Session #2

November 13, 2025 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern

Charting a Course to Ownership

Get practical strategies and tools to empower individuals and teams to take ownership of their goals, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and shared success.

  • Apply the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize effectively: help your team focus on what truly matters, delegate wisely, and minimize distractions, driving ownership and productivity.
  • Strengthen ownership by mastering clear communication, proactive public relations, and consistent branding: build trust, align messaging, and amplify your team’s vision and impact.
  • Use SWOT analysis to identify strengths, address weaknesses, seize opportunities, and mitigate threats: enable your team to take informed ownership of their strategic goals.
Session #3

November 20, 2025 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern

Evolving into a Pedagogical Leader: Part 1

Acquire the knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively lead instructional practices, inspire student growth, and cultivate a thriving learning community.

  • Clearly articulate your core beliefs about teaching and learning with staff: build ownership, including your vision for student success and your approach to creating a positive and equitable learning environment.
  • Develop a ‘Culture of Collaboration and Innovation’: Build strong relationships with colleagues, encourage open communication, and create a safe and supportive environment where educators can collaborate, share ideas, and experiment with new teaching methods.
  • Champion ‘Student-Centered Learning’: Implement and advocate for student-centered practices that are research-based and grounded in deep thinking, relevance, personalization, and the purposeful use of technology.
Session #4

December 4, 2025 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern

Evolving into a Pedagogical Leader: Part 2

Delve into the practical application of pedagogical leadership principles that lead to ownership of change.

  • Collect and analyze data and evidence to inform pedagogy: Develop and implement systems for collecting and analyzing student data, such as formative assessments, student work samples, and classroom observations. Use this data to inform instructional decisions, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the impact of your leadership on student learning.
  • Develop strong leadership competencies: Master the art of observing and providing constructive feedback to colleagues.
  • Embrace continuous professional growth: Engage in ongoing professional development activities, such as attending conferences, reading educational literature, and participating in online learning communities, to stay current on best practices and expand your knowledge base.
Session #5

December 11, 2025 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern

Cycle of Continuous Improvement

Apply a Cycle of Continuous Improvement to refine planning, implementation, evaluation, and growth processes that drive sustained success and innovation.

  • Learn to plan strategically: Learn how to develop standards-based goals and actionable plans to set a strong foundation for success.
  • Evaluate and reflect: Use data-driven insights and feedback to assess outcomes, identify gaps, and ensure effectiveness.
  • Drive continuous growth: Commit to professional learning and adaptive strategies that address challenges and propel improvement.

Packed with benefits

instructor icon

Expert-led

Connect live with top people, on topics you care about

collaboration icon

Collaborative

Join colleagues from other schools for lively discussions

mobile app icon

Mobile app

Create flexibility & learn on your time with our mobile app

video recordings icon

Recorded sessions

Never miss a beat with available recordings (for 30 days)

certificate icon

Certificates of completion

Get credit for your hard work with personalized certificates

Register now

Build a team of any size and save.

Individual

$495

per person

(5) live virtual 90-min. sessions

Practical learning outcomes

Access to the RocketPD Portal (recordings)

Customized Certificate of Completion

Register now

Team of 5

$485

per person

(5) live virtual 90-min. sessions

Practical learning outcomes

Access to the RocketPD Portal (recordings)

Customized Certificate of Completion

Register now

Team of 10

$465

per person

(5) live virtual 90-min. sessions

Practical learning outcomes

Access to the RocketPD Portal (recordings)

Customized Certificate of Completion

Register now

Want to bring a team of 30 or more?

Contact us for large group rates.

Contact RocketPD

Register today!

Please complete the form below to register as an individual or team up to 30 people. If your team is larger than 30, please contact us.

Frequently asked questions

What is Build Ownership, Not Buy-In: Empowering School Teams for the Hard Work of Change — and how can it help?

Build Ownership, Not Buy-In: Empowering School Teams for the Hard Work of Change is a live-virtual 5-session course for school leaders and their teams, led by educator, best-selling author and founder of Aspire Change EDU, Eric Sheninger. This course was designed to help school leaders drive sustainable change and improve outcomes for all learners. Participants will learn how to build a toolkit for navigating complex challenges and strategic goals, empower teams to take ownership of initiatives, and lead with a student-centered vision. With a focus on fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation, this course equips leaders with evidence-based strategies to refine practices, leverage data, and sustain progress through continuous improvement. Ideal for superintendents, principals, and instructional leaders, this cohort provides actionable tools to build a culture of ownership and engagement that leads to lasting change.

Why do this as part of a cohort?

The RocketPD cohort experience is designed to give educators and school district leaders an actionable, affordable and convenient way to facilitate difficult but necessary strategic conversations and initiatives at a time when schools and school communities face both intense initiative fatigue and competing distractions. The live-virtual sessions give educators and school district leaders an easy and reliable way to collaborate with best-selling author and Aspire EDU founder Eric Sheninger and other colleagues from around the world on a topic of strategic importance to schools and teachers. Individual teachers can register or school district teams can register select members of their building or central-office teams for open cohorts.

What’s included in this program?

Delivered over five weeks, the program includes (5) scheduled structured learning conversations, delivered virtually over Zoom. Plus, password-protected access to the RocketPD Learning Portal, where participants can access the recordings for a limited time during the cohort experience. Upon completion, all registrants also receive a customized Certificate of Completion to share with their administrative team.

Who should participate?

Build Ownership, Not Buy-In: Empowering School Teams for the Hard Work of Change with Eric Sheninger is a (5)-session (90 minutes each) collaborative professional-learning experience for superintendents, assistant superintendents, department heads, directors and anyone working in education in charge of leading or managing change-based initiatives in schools. Participants will emerge with practical and proven strategies to generate engagement and promote ownership in complex, change-based programs across the school enterprise.

How will this help my team?

The RocketPD cohort experience provides a unique opportunity for school district leadership and staff teams to have candid conversations with Eric Sheninger, a nationally recognized educator, author on the subject of leading and implementing complex change-based initiatives in schools. Unlike one-off seminars and keynote speeches, the cohort provides a clear opportunity for sustained development and the basis for a framework that teachers and other school leaders can use to create stronger, more supportive environments for improved student and community outcomes.

What is the schedule?

This (5)-session cohort-based experience will take place between November and December 2025. You can view the the full schedule, including dates and times in The Schedule section above. If you want to participate in this cohort, but the dates and times do not work for your schedule, keep in mind that, while live participation is always encouraged, the sessions are recorded and accessible via the RocketPD Learning Portal for a limited time. If you have a large team (50 or more), and the schedule dates and times do not work for you entire team, reach out using the form below to inquire about the formation of a custom cohort for your district.

How can I participate?

If you’re interested in joining the Build Ownership, Not Buy-In: Empowering School Teams for the Hard Work of Change cohort with Eric Sheninger, save your spot now by following the button on this page. Once you sign up, you’ll receive more information about the program, including payment and invoicing details. You’ll also receive a detailed follow-up email with information about your cohort, including scheduled session dates and times. Should you have questions at any time throughout the process, you’ll receive the phone and email of our project coordinator to ensure a positive experience.

Sign up for Build Ownership, Not Buy-In: Empowering School Teams for the Hard Work of Change with Eric Sheninger

Empower your team. Transform your leadership. Build a culture of lasting change.

Yes, let's get started

Not ready to sign up yet?

Contact us with questions.

Want more great content?

Get our Ultimate Guide to K-12 Professional Learning FREE