Complimentary Program
Site-Based Leadership Program
Build in-house math leadership with CPM. Designate a Site-Based Leader, join a national network and keep your implementation strong year after year.
Why site-based leadership
“Curriculum-based professional learning must be ongoing and sustainable, which means it cannot be led solely by outside experts. Schools and districts must plan for the future by building in-house expertise and leadership pipelines.”
The Elements: Transforming Teaching Through Curriculum-Based Professional LearningCarnegie Corporation of New York (Short & Hirsh, 2020), p. 41
About the program
A bridge between CPM’s expertise and your school
The Site-Based Leadership Program lets districts work with CPM to develop and support local, in-house expertise and leadership.
Participating sites designate Site-Based Leaders (SBLs) as the liaison between the district or school and CPM. Leaders join a network of other SBLs and CPM’s Professional Learning Team, guiding implementation, supporting student learning and building lasting leadership capacity.
How the bridge works
Your Site-Based Leader connects your team with CPM.
- CPMProfessional Learning TeamA collaborative network of SBLs and CPM’s Professional Learning Team
- The liaisonYour Site-Based LeaderA designated liaison connecting your school directly to CPM
- Your siteSchool or districtOngoing support for implementation, student learning and leadership capacity
Why participate
Benefits of the SBL program
A structured pathway to deepen implementation, build confidence and lead lasting change in math education.
Sustain professional relationships
Stay connected with CPM beyond initial implementation, plugged into curriculum updates, strategies and support.
Build in-house leadership
Develop local expertise that supports coherent instruction and empowers teachers without relying only on outside consultants.
Access CPM professional learning
Get CPM support to advance your site’s instructional practice through professional learning and materials.
Join a like-minded network
Connect with CPM educators and leaders who share a vision for ambitious, equitable instruction.
Lead your site’s math team
Lead math teams with curated resources that support a deep examination of instructional practice at your site.
What you’ll do
Program opportunities
Three connected strands of work that strengthen local implementation and a national community of practice.
- Strand 01
Collaborate with CPM’s PL team
- Promote CPM philosophy and strategies so teachers implement the curriculum as intended
- Use CPM’s implementation tools to track teacher growth and student learning
- Draw on curriculum resources to support effective teaching for all learners
- Strand 02
Promote implementation at your site
- Connect new teachers with the Foundations for Implementation Series and other PL
- Coordinate PL and schedule implementation support visits with CPM’s PL team
- Use a resource library for supporting new hires, equitable teaching and collaborative teams
- Strand 03
Grow through the SBL program
- Attend the annual Site-Based Leadership Academy
- Energize your leadership through regular virtual gatherings with the SBL network
- Build leadership skills by exploring resources with a like-minded community
Annual event
Site-Based Leadership Academy
An immersive gathering of Site-Based Leaders from across the country, focused on instructional practice, leadership skills and community.
Dates and location for the next Academy will be announced here. Ask to be notified and you’ll be the first to know.
- FormatMulti-day immersive retreat
- Who attendsSite-Based Leaders and CPM’s PL team
Teacher Conference 2027 · A conference within the conference
Leading Together
Two days built for leaders and coaches
A curated strand running alongside the CPM Teacher Conference for instructional coaches and school and district leaders. Five sessions build on each other, from working with your coaches to leaving with a site-specific roadmap you can use the moment you’re back in your building.
- 2Days
- 5Sessions
- 48Seats
- $50Add-on
Free when you bundle it with the Foundations for Coaching preconference
Requires Teacher Conference registration; add Leading Together at checkout. Early rate through Nov 15 · Regular through Jan 15 · Late through Feb 1 · Hotel block closes Jan 25, 2027.
Dr. Peter Carpenter
Founder, Leadwise Coaching and Consulting · ICF- and Gallup-certified coachAre you truly working with your coaches, or just deploying them?
A 30-year educator from Harford County Public Schools in Maryland, Peter has served as a teacher, coach, principal and Director of Organizational Development. Today he helps educators and leaders take their leadership or instructional vision to victory.
Connect with Peter on LinkedInYour two days
Select a session to see what you’ll walk away with.
- Saturday, Feb 20
- 9:55–11:10 amSession 11
Align Your Coaching SpinePeter Carpenter
Effective coaching is what makes change stick. So how do leaders work with a coach, rather than simply deploy one? Using the structures of coaching, this session looks at the leader’s role in the coaching relationship.
You’ll leave able to
- Use concrete skills and strategies to build stronger working relationships with your coaches
- Identify specific ways to support and align with the coaching work already happening in your schools
- 1:10–2:25 pmSession 22
Everybody Needs a CoachJohn Hayes, Tracy Talmage, Jocelyn Dunnack
Hear how Christina School District and CPM partnered to strengthen Tier 1 math instruction across multiple schools by building a shared vision, investing in leadership coaching and creating coherent professional learning structures. Real stories from leaders, coaches and teachers, with replicable strategies.
You’ll leave able to
- Analyze the teacher and student shifts that come from effective coaching
- Design strategies to strengthen communication among leaders, coaches and teachers
- Apply a replicable model for developing leadership and coaching capacity
- 2:45–4:00 pmSession 33
Embracing Imperfection: A Gradual Approach to Supporting Instructional GrowthJeremiah Morgan, Tracy Talmage
Growth in math education is rarely linear. Reframe how you support professional learning by embracing vulnerability, normalizing struggle and implementing change through intentional, goal-oriented steps.
You’ll leave able to
- Take inventory of what is productive, unproductive and missing in your professional learning systems
- Name the personal and organizational barriers blocking instructional growth on your team
- Build a gradual implementation model that moves teachers from awareness to lasting practice
- Sunday, Feb 21
- 8:00–9:15 amSession 44
Cover Your Assets: Identifying and Fostering Teacher Strengths for Meaningful Student GrowthVictoria Holt, John Hayes
Effective leadership begins by recognizing the strengths already present on a team. Explore practical tools for identifying, honoring and leveraging teacher assets, and for building the professional trust that makes growth possible.
You’ll leave able to
- Use observation and reflection tools to surface and document teacher assets
- Honor teacher expertise in coaching conversations and team meetings
- Plan next steps for collaborative learning communities where teachers feel safe to grow
- 10:30–11:45 amSession 5
Leveraging PLC Time for ImpactCapstoneTracy Talmage with Peter Carpenter and John Hayes
Bring the strand together. Learn the difference between training, professional development and professional learning, design PLC time where student needs drive genuine inquiry, and explore CPM’s ongoing support systems.
You’ll leave able to
- Turn what you learned across the strand into a concrete, site-specific implementation roadmap
- Set clear next steps for embedding coaching culture, asset-based mindsets and sustainable professional learning
- Instructional coaches
- Teacher leaders and TOSAs
- School leaders
- District leaders
- Aspiring coaches and leaders
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the Site-Based Leadership Program.
Program basics
What is the Site-Based Leadership Program?
The Site-Based Leadership Program provides districts with the opportunity to work collaboratively with CPM to develop and support in-house expertise and leadership. For more information, see the Site-Based Leadership Program Description.
What are the benefits of participating?
The most important benefit is establishing and maintaining professional relationships with CPM's Professional Learning Team to support a coherent implementation of instruction and materials. To read more, see the Site-Based Leadership Program Description.
Can we participate if we're in year one of our CPM adoption?
We recommend new adoptions prioritize the Foundations for Implementation Learning Series first, then join this program the following year. However, if your SBL is not in the classroom (for example, an instructional coach), year-one participation could be an option.
How do we become a participating site?
Register for the program in the Live Event Schedule and Registration page in the CPM Professional Learning Portal.
Participation
Who participates in the program?
Participating sites designate their Site-Based Leaders (SBLs). Designated SBLs can include teachers, coaches, specialists, department heads, or other building leaders who are supporting CPM implementation.
How many people from my site can participate?
Your site can determine how many people will participate. Larger sites may wish to have an SBL from each school. Smaller sites may have one SBL.
Can we send someone else if our designated person can't attend?
Yes. Anyone from your site who registers will have access to the module and can join the live virtual meetings. Monthly meetings are also recorded and made available in the Professional Learning Portal.
Should the same person participate every year?
The program aims to develop leadership. Rotating leaders every two to three years will develop a leadership pipeline for your site.
What is the time commitment?
The level of engagement and time invested are up to each site. There are voluntary one-hour virtual meetings each month from September through April, plus access to an on-demand resource library.
Logistics & fees
Is there a fee to participate?
No, this is a complimentary professional learning program.
Does the participant receive money from CPM?
No, this is a complimentary, voluntary professional learning program from CPM.
Should sites provide a stipend?
This is a voluntary program, and it is up to the discretion of each site whether to provide their SBL with a stipend or compensation of some kind.
Questions about the SBL program?
Talk with the SBL team
We’re happy to walk you through how the program works and whether it fits your district, or let you know when the next Academy is announced.
- Complimentary program
- Registration always open
- 1Send a quick noteTell us about your school or district and what you’d like to know.
- 2Hear back by emailSomeone from CPM’s SBL team replies with answers and next steps.
- 3Find your fitGet clear next steps for bringing the program to your school or district.
Want Academy news? Choose “Hear when SBL Academy details are live” and we’ll email you as soon as dates and location are set.
Send the SBL team a message
We’ll reply by email.