Welcome to the 2025–2026 Rural School Leadership Academy (RSLA) Application.
The Rural School Leadership Academy is a fully funded, yearlong career accelerator for educators working in rural schools and systems. Through dynamic virtual learning cycles, in-person school visits, coaching, and a supportive national network, RSLA is designed to help you grow in place—with the people and communities that matter most to you.
Whether you're an aspiring leader, preparing for principalship, or already leading a school, RSLA offers tailored support to strengthen your leadership, deepen your practice, and help you create lasting impact.
To complete your application, you’ll be asked to:
1. Fill out a short form with basic personal and professional information.
2. Upload a current resume or CV
3. Respond to four short-answer essay questions
4. Submit a short video interview responding to three prompts
5. Provide contact information for two references (one should be a current or recent supervisor).
The application takes approximately 1–2 hours to complete. You can save your work and return at any time before the deadline.
We want this process to be affirming, humanizing, and energizing—whether or not you're ultimately selected. Our goal is for every applicant to walk away with something valuable. After submission, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Reference checks will follow, and final decisions will be shared by Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
How to use this application portal:
You’ll complete your RSLA application by working through a series of tasks which are listed on the next screen. Each task will collect a specific part of your application (for example, your resume, essay responses, or reference contact info).
Click on each task to open it.
Once you’ve completed a task, mark it as “Complete.”
You can save your progress and return at any time before the deadline.
When all tasks are marked “Complete,” the “Submit” button will become available. Click “Submit” to finalize your application.
If you have program-related questions, reach out to casey.deford@teachforamerica.org. For technical issues, please use the Help Center.
Cohort 13 Rural School Leadership Academy Application
Welcome to the 2025–2026 Rural School Leadership Academy (RSLA) Application.
The Rural School Leadership Academy is a fully funded, yearlong career accelerator for educators working in rural schools and systems. Through dynamic virtual learning cycles, in-person school visits, coaching, and a supportive national network, RSLA is designed to help you grow in place—with the people and communities that matter most to you.
Whether you're an aspiring leader, preparing for principalship, or already leading a school, RSLA offers tailored support to strengthen your leadership, deepen your practice, and help you create lasting impact.
To complete your application, you’ll be asked to:
1. Fill out a short form with basic personal and professional information.
2. Upload a current resume or CV
3. Respond to four short-answer essay questions
4. Submit a short video interview responding to three prompts
5. Provide contact information for two references (one should be a current or recent supervisor).
The application takes approximately 1–2 hours to complete. You can save your work and return at any time before the deadline.
We want this process to be affirming, humanizing, and energizing—whether or not you're ultimately selected. Our goal is for every applicant to walk away with something valuable. After submission, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Reference checks will follow, and final decisions will be shared by Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
How to use this application portal:
You’ll complete your RSLA application by working through a series of tasks which are listed on the next screen. Each task will collect a specific part of your application (for example, your resume, essay responses, or reference contact info).
Click on each task to open it.
Once you’ve completed a task, mark it as “Complete.”
You can save your progress and return at any time before the deadline.
When all tasks are marked “Complete,” the “Submit” button will become available. Click “Submit” to finalize your application.
If you have program-related questions, reach out to casey.deford@teachforamerica.org. For technical issues, please use the Help Center.