The 2026 BES Fellowship for Founding School Leaders - Tennessee

About the role#

The BES Fellowship for Founding School Leaders is a multi-year program designed to train individuals to design, found, and lead high-achieving schools. Fellows undergo an intensive training year followed by three years of follow-on support to ensure the long-term success of their school. Please note that the current Tennessee placement is filled; however, applications are being accepted for an active waitlist should additional opportunities become available for the 2026 or 2027 cohorts.

What you'll do#

• Engage in over 300 hours of coursework covering school design, leadership, governance, and community engagement.
• Conduct in-depth studies of effective schools nationwide and complete residencies at high-performing sites.
• Develop a charter application and establish a founding board.
• Partner with a BES coach to refine project management and leadership skills, hire staff, and recruit students.
• Welcome the inaugural class, coach teachers, and use data to drive academic success during operational years.
• Participate in ongoing leadership and professional development opportunities provided by BES.

What you'll need#

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Professional degree 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.
• Ability to establish local connections to support school enrollment and a clear rationale for the proposed location.
• Relevant academic backgrounds include Business Administration, Political Science, Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, Human Resources, or Communications.

Location & details#

• Location: Tennessee, United States.
• Term: Starts August 2026.
• Modality: On-site.
• Employment: Full-time.
• Compensation: This is a paid contract role featuring a $100,000 grant during the first year, healthcare grants, travel and accommodation support for training, and reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses.