The next generation of LIFTS leaders: The Great 28

Today’s LIFTS

Candace Dowdell

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Candace Dowdell describes herself as a teacher, basketball coach and advocate. She is also a member of the 28th LIFTS cohort— lovingly referred to as “The Great 28” by the cohort’s members.

After becoming a teacher leader at Highgate Heights Elementary School in Buffalo, Dowdell became interested in school leadership. However, her path to applying to LIFTS was trying. As a first-generation college student, she was afraid to pursue another degree. “The fear of failing at going back to school was a voice I had to silence,” she said.

Dowdell, now an instructional coach at PS #92 Build Community School, was admitted to the program in 2021. Upon feeling the support of her cohort—who is “like a family”—and interacting with the faculty, she knew ignoring the negative voices from within and pushing herself to enroll in the program was the right decision.

“I remember the first time I met Dr. Baxley! When I saw that she was a beautiful Black woman, I felt seen, heard and represented in the program,” Dowdell said of Gwendolyn Baxley, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy. “I’m sure my eyes lit up. Then, not to my surprise, Dr. Erika [McDowell] , another gorgeous Black queen, came along and completely shifted our thinking and confidence as leaders to the next level.”

Through the connections she’s built, Dowdell is confident that she’s a stronger leader and advocate for change, and is prepared to implement the strategies she’s learned from the program in her career.

Scott Bielec

Scott Bielec’s journey into school leadership began during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I felt that students needed more help,” he said. “I also realized that I was more passionate about students 13 years into my career than I was when I first started.”