SCILL: Southern Conference Institute for Language Leadership

The Southern Conference Institute for Language Leadership (SCILL) is a leadership development experience designed specifically for emerging World Language leaders who are beginning their leadership journey and are ready to explore how they can make a greater impact on the profession.

SCILL recognizes that educators do not need a formal title to begin leading. Participants may be classroom teachers taking their first steps into leadership, new department chairs or instructional leaders, educators beginning to serve in professional organizations, or World Language educators who are interested in becoming more involved beyond their own classrooms.

Through interactive learning, reflection, and collaboration, SCILL helps participants identify their leadership strengths, build confidence, and develop practical skills they can use as they take on new leadership opportunities. An important part of that growth is building and expanding professional networks. Connection is at the heart of SCOLT, and SCILL gives emerging leaders the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with colleagues from across the region who can become resources, collaborators, and members of their professional support network throughout their leadership journey.

The SCILL experience begins with an in-person leadership workshop at the annual SCOLT conference and continues throughout the year with monthly online cohort learning sessions. These sessions provide ongoing opportunities for participants to explore leadership topics, learn with and from one another, strengthen professional connections, and continue developing their leadership skills as a cohort. The cohort experience concludes at the following year’s SCOLT conference, giving participants a full year to learn, connect, grow, and put their leadership learning into practice.

What will you gain from SCILL?

SCILL participants will have opportunities to:

  • Explore what leadership can look like within the World Language profession.
  • Identify their individual leadership strengths, values, and areas for growth.
  • Build skills in communication, collaboration, advocacy, and navigating challenging conversations.
  • Learn alongside other emerging World Language leaders.
  • Expand their professional network across the SCOLT region.
  • Apply leadership strategies to authentic situations in schools, districts, and professional organizations.
  • Identify meaningful next steps in their own leadership journey.

SCILL is for educators who are ready to take their next step. You do not need years of leadership experience or a formal leadership title. You need an interest in growing, connecting, contributing, and discovering how you can help shape the future of the World Language profession.

SCILL Cohort Cycle

SCILL is offered every other year, allowing each cohort to participate in a full year of sustained leadership development.

The 2026–2027 SCILL cohort began at the 2026 SCOLT conference, participates in monthly online cohort learning throughout the year, and will conclude its experience at the 2027 SCOLT conference. The next SCILL cohort will begin at the 2028 SCOLT conference. The application for the 2028 cohort will be posted in October 2027.