THE GREAT 28

With his passion amplified, the former high school English teacher set his sights on the LIFTS program.

A member of the Great 28 cohort, Bielec admits that the program has been challenging— especially considering personal and professional responsibilities, including his new position as assistant principal at Cleveland Hill Middle School. “It has been hard work, but the people in my cohort have become some of my closest friends,” he said. “We help one another out.”

He also spoke highly of his professors, who have offered guidance with interviewing and finding leadership positions. “I have built great relationships with them, and I’ve found that they are there for me when I need them,” Bielec shared.

Looking ahead, he is eager to use the knowledge and skills developed in the program to continue growing in leadership positions.

“In the end, I really just want to help students,” he said. “I hope that in leadership, I am better suited to help more kids in a more meaningful way.”

Erin Weir

Erin Weir decided to pursue school leadership at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, just after the birth of her first child. “Entering motherhood while experiencing the constraints as an educator helped me finally envision my ‘why,’” she said. “I wanted to become a change agent and advocate for not only my son but all children.”

She chose the LIFTS program because of its unique cohort model and the opportunity to build lasting connections and friendships with like-minded individuals. “Many online options are available for leadership coursework; however, I wanted to build lasting connections and friendships with those committed to impactful leadership,” said Weir.

She has done just that. She feels the program has given her a second family she looks forward to seeing every week in class. “I am grateful for the time we have spent diving deep, exploring not only who we are but the relevant topics that are pertinent to the areas of educational leadership in both a safe and brave space,” she said. “The dedicated professors in this program have brought the coursework to life.”

One of Weir’s most memorable moments in the program was spending her first semester participating in the summer “boot camp,” an intensive program that allows students to explore their core values and how those values drive leadership style. “It was the most introspective work I had ever done,” she said. “I am honored to have had the time to get to know my cohort, the professors, and most importantly, the time I took to get to know myself.”

After working as a speech-language pathologist in the Buffalo Public Schools for the past ten years, Weir recently accepted a position as the director of pupil personnel services in the Cheektowaga Central School District. She is thrilled to enter this leadership role with the lens of an empathetic communicator and therapist.