Pete Leida is a partnership manager with Insight Education Group, who currently supports districts with the following: facilitating strategic planning development and implementation, supporting recruitment & retention teams, and providing leadership coaching. Prior to joining Insight Education Group, Dr. Leida served in a variety of school and district leadership roles during his 25-year career in the Colonial School District (DE). Additionally, he serves as an adjunct instructor at Wilmington University.
With a 27-year career dedicated to education, Dr. Pete Leida rose through the ranks from elementary teacher to deputy superintendent, consistently demonstrating a passion for fostering effective leadership at all levels. His journey began in Delaware schools, where a decade of experience as an assistant principal and principal provided a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by school leaders.
As Director of Elementary Schools, Dr. Leida’s focus shifted to supporting, developing, and evaluating elementary leaders across the district. This broader perspective ignited a passion for leadership development, leading to the co-creation of an "Aspiring Leaders Program" aligned with district, state, and national competencies. This program successfully supported numerous individuals who are now serving as principals and assistant principals, supporting the importance of building a strong pipeline of future leaders.
Further solidifying his dedication to leadership development, Dr. Leida played a key role in establishing a district-wide leadership framework. This framework identified critical leadership competencies, aligned them with state standards, and designed a structured "scope and sequence" for leadership growth. This framework continues to serve as a cornerstone for developing effective leaders across the district.
As both Assistant and Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Leida broadened his scope to encompass both school leaders and the instructional division. This provided valuable experience in developing instructional coaches and leaders, offering a holistic perspective on the interconnectedness of effective instructional leadership across different domains.
Beyond his district roles, Dr. Leida actively sought opportunities to contribute to broader leadership development initiatives. He served as an instructor for numerous principal preparation/certification programs. His collaboration with institutes of higher education expanded his reach, providing leadership development programs for aspiring and current school leaders. These experiences not only allowed them to share his expertise but also to stay current with emerging trends and best practices in leadership development.
Throughout his career, Dr. Leida has consistently demonstrated a dedication to mentorship and support. In his current role as Partnership Manager, he now has the privilege of directly working with district leaders while providing strategic direction and fostering collaboration. Witnessing the positive impact of effective leadership on student learning and school communities continues to be the most rewarding aspect of his journey.
In conclusion, Dr. Leida’s diverse experiences as a school leader, program developer, instructor, and mentor have instilled in him a deep commitment to cultivating exceptional leaders who can empower others and drive positive change within our schools. His unwavering dedication to nurturing effective leadership at all levels serves as a testament to this belief in creating thriving learning environments where every student can reach his full potential.