PLCS Insights: Q&A with Michael Setaro - The Leadership Studio at PLCS

Q. What is The Leadership Studio, who created it, and why was it created?

A: The Leadership Studio is a dynamic, forward-thinking space designed for principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders who are responsible for shaping and guiding their school communities. It offers meaningful learning, powerful peer collaboration, and strategic leadership development that directly moves schools forward. Leaders will not only leave with real strategies and actionable tools, but also with a stronger professional network to support their ongoing growth.

Created in partnership with our colleagues at PLCS and shaped by direct input from district leaders, The Leadership Studio was built to meet a real and urgent need. Through our work with local districts, ongoing conversations with administrators, and feedback from over 500 participants engaged in our professional learning offerings this year, we heard a clear call for professional learning that is practical, relevant, and connected to real-world challenges. The Leadership Studio answers that call by delivering tangible strategies, ready-to-apply solutions, and lasting professional relationships—all aligned to the evolving needs of today’s school leaders.

This is leadership learning designed for the real world—crafted with the very leaders who will bring it to life.

Q: What makes the Studio different from other professional development opportunities for principals?

A.:The Leadership Studio stands apart because it is built for principals by people who have truly listened to their needs. It combines strategic leadership development with hands-on application, ensuring every session leads to real, district-specific strategies and solutions. It’s not one-size-fits-all or purely theoretical—it’s responsive, relevant, and designed to empower leaders to immediately drive impact in their schools.

The Leadership Studio environment fosters collaboration and shared problem-solving, while keeping the learning tightly aligned to each principal’s unique sphere of influence. Every experience is purposefully designed to translate directly into meaningful, real-world leadership action.

Q: What topics and strategies will participants explore during the sessions?

A: The Leadership Studio will take school leaders on a year-long leadership journey, organized around four dynamic themes:

Fall: Laying the Foundation
- Vision and Strategic Leadership
- Instructional Focus and Goal Setting
- System Building and Organizational Vision Creation

Winter: Strengthening Culture and Instructional Leadership
- Leading Change and Difficult Conversations
- SEL, Mindfulness, and Staff Well-Being
- Budgeting and Navigating the Board of Education

Spring: Driving Innovation and Sustaining Success
- Discipline and Restorative Practices
- Data-Driven Leadership and Continuous Improvement
- Finishing Strong and Planning Ahead

Summer: Curriculum and Hiring Excellence
- Designing Effective Curriculum
- Hiring and Leadership Development
- Every session is built for immediate action—principals will leave with ready-to-apply strategies, leadership tools, and peer-driven solutions tailored to real-world challenges

Q: How is The Leadership Studio structured to ensure that principals walk away with actionable tools they can apply right away?

A: Each session of The Leadership Studio follows a purposeful learn–practice–apply model. Leaders won’t just discuss ideas—they’ll collaborate to design real plans, templates, frameworks, and action steps tailored to their local context. Every session will result in tangible outcomes that principals can immediately implement in their schools.

In addition to producing ready-to-use tools, The Leadership Studio fosters partnerships and peer connections across the region, strengthening the collective leadership capacity of our schools and raising the bar for instructional excellence.

Q: How will input from district leaders be used to shape the design of this program?

A: Input from district and building leaders has been foundational to the creation of The Leadership Studio. Through ongoing conversations, feedback sessions, and survey data from over 500 participants in our existing professional learning offerings, we have carefully prioritized the real-world challenges and aspirations facing today’s principals. As a result, The Leadership Studio is built to be responsive, future-focused, and intentionally designed to spark creativity, collaboration, and real change.

Q: What can participants expect in terms of collaboration and peer-to-peer learning?

A: The Leadership Studio creates a collegial environment where leaders will not only learn from facilitators but also from one another. Structured collaboration opportunities, peer feedback sessions, and real-time problem-solving will be integral parts of the experience. Principals will leave with an expanded network of colleagues who are also committed to leading with vision, strategy, and sustainability.

Q: How does The Leadership Studio support principals in leading high-performance systems and instructional excellence?

A: The Leadership Studio equips principals with the frameworks and tools needed to build high-performance systems that are aligned, sustainable, and focused on instructional excellence. By connecting leadership behaviors directly to system outcomes, participants will be better prepared to drive results, hold a clear vision, and inspire continuous improvement in their schools.This partnership approach will continue to shape the Studio as it evolves.

Q: In what ways will The Leadership Studio help principals build sustainable leadership practices within their schools?

A: The Leadership Studio focuses on helping principals develop sustainable leadership practices that solve real problems in their districts. Rather than relying on short-term fixes, leaders will learn how to design systems and structures that address the unique needs of their students, staff, and families—creating solutions that outlast leadership transitions and foster shared ownership across the school community. With an emphasis on continuous improvement and maintaining a consistent instructional focus, The Leadership Studio equips principals with the tools they need to create lasting, positive change.

Q: What are you most excited about as The Leadership Studio launches this fall?

A: I’m most excited about creating a space where school leaders feel both challenged and supported—where they can reflect, innovate, and leave with real tools that move their work forward. The energy, collaboration, and real-world focus of The Leadership Studio has the potential to truly change the leadership experience for so many school leaders, and I’m thrilled to see the impact it will have.

Q: How can interested principals find out more or sign up to participate?

A: School leaders who are interested in learning more or joining The Leadership Studio can reach out directly to me at MSetaro@SWBOCES.org or stay tuned for our upcoming information sessions this spring and summer. We’ll be sharing more details soon and would love to have you be part of this exciting new opportunity!