The 2026 BES Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Alabama

About the role#

The BES Fellowship for Founding School Leaders in Alabama is a multi-year program designed for individuals committed to designing, founding, and leading high-achieving public charter schools. The fellowship provides comprehensive training to help leaders meet the specific needs of their local communities, with a focus on areas such as Birmingham, Montgomery, and rural regions of Alabama.

What you'll do#

• Engage in over 300 hours of intensive coursework covering school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement.
• Develop a formal charter application and establish a founding board.
• Partner with a BES coach to refine project management and leadership skills.
• Bridge the professional transition from founder to school leader.
• Opt-in to ongoing leadership and professional development opportunities provided by BES during the operational years of your school.

What you'll need#

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s or Professional degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience, including instructional or instructional leadership experience.
• At least 2 years of experience managing and supervising adults in a PreK-12 setting.
• A commitment to serving as a school leader in the proposed community for at least 10 years.
• Strong preference for candidates with 2-3 years of experience living or working in the proposed school region.
• Relevant academic background in fields such as Business Administration, Political Science, Communications, Psychology, or Sociology.

Location & details#

• Location: Alabama, United States.
• Term: Summer 2026.
• Modality: On-site.
• Status: Full-time, paid position.