Fuel Fellowship: Building Oklahoma City’s Next Generation of School Leaders

Strong leadership is essential for schools to thrive, as it fosters high expectations that drive academic excellence and student success. With a commitment to equipping Oklahoma City school leaders with the skills they need to navigate challenges and guide their schools toward excellence, Fuel OKC is launching a comprehensive leadership training — the Fuel Fellowship.

The Fuel Fellowship program is designed for school leaders who work closely with teachers, including principals, assistant principals, chief academic officers, and instructional coaches. Selected applicants will engage in a year-long program that provides the tools, mindsets, knowledge and skills required to lead high-achieving schools.

“To increase educational quality across Oklahoma City’s schools, Fuel OKC is investing in developing the highest-caliber leaders,” said Fuel OKC CEO Brent Bushey. “A skilled school leader directly impacts teachers, who drive academic outcomes. The Fuel Fellowship will focus on best practices, integrating learning into each leader’s current role, and visiting high-performing schools to observe excellence firsthand.”

The Fuel Fellowship program will train leaders how to develop effective professional learning communities, using data-driven instruction and delivering impactful professional development through instructional coaching to support educators both in their schools and across districts.

The inaugural Fellow class will convene every six to eight weeks for five dynamic one-and-a-half-day workshops, each designed to fuel growth and deepen impact. The program begins with a transformative five-day summer institute in May 2025, where Fellows will explore a blend of practices that drive academic excellence.

Additionally, the program will address key talent and leadership challenges, including mastering one-on-one meetings (O3s), navigating difficult conversations and leading cultural change. By year-end, participants will be positioned for long-term success.

Class One of the Fuel Fellowship is expected to include 50 leaders. The deadline to apply for the Fuel Fellowship is March 18, 2025.