Building a Legacy of Leadership: Stephen Janczewski’s Work Towards System-Wide Impact

Stephen Janczewski, Director of School Leadership at Independence Mission Schools, is shaping the future of education in Philadelphia—not just through his own leadership, but by cultivating the next generation of school leaders. With a deep commitment to equity, growth, and community, Janczewski’s work spans individual school transformation and system-wide leadership development.

For Stephen Janczewski, his time as a Neubauer Fellow extends beyond himself; it extends to his legacy of leadership. As a 2018 Neubauer Fellow (Cohort 4), Janczewski credits his time in the Neubauer Fellowship with refining and expanding his leadership approach. “I had heard incredible things about the professional development offered through the program, and honestly, my expectations were completely exceeded,” he says. The Fellowship’s emphasis on vulnerability, collaboration, and continuous improvement helped him build lasting relationships and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead for impact. “We spent the Fellowship year shoulder to shoulder with other principals who were already successful, but still hungry to grow. That shared commitment really cemented our cohort.”

Janczewski’s Fellowship experience laid the foundation for his role in supporting the development of PASL’s newest program: Leading for Results, a yearlong professional learning experience designed for Senior Legacy Fellows. Working alongside Program Director (and fellow Cohort 4 member) Natalie Catin St. Louis as part of LFR planning team, Janczewski helped shape the program to meet the evolving needs of school leaders. “We wanted to create something that wasn’t just a one-off institute,” he explains. “It’s about launching a journey—building a ‘cohort of cohorts’ that continues to grow and support each other throughout the year.”

With over 173 Neubauer Fellows now part of the network—representing more than 25% of all active principals in Philadelphia—the potential for collective impact is enormous. “That scale pushes us to think creatively about sustained engagement,” Janczewski says. “It’s not just about individual growth—it’s about leveraging the power of the Fellowship community to drive systemic change.”

For Janczewski, that change starts with legacy. “I think about legacy in two ways,” he says. “First, as Legacy Fellows, we’re deeply invested in the success of all the other Fellows. And second, we’re building systems and frameworks that help others lead effectively—especially those stepping into leadership for the first time. We’re not just leading schools—we’re building pipelines,” he says. Inspired by the Fellowship and supported by the Connolly Foundation, he launched a Future School Leaders program within his network, modeled after the cohort-based approach he experienced. “I have six teachers in a two-year cohort model. They’re getting the kind of support that will prepare them to step into leadership roles, whether that’s programs like the Instructional Leadership Academy or Leading for Results.”

Ultimately, Janczewski sees leadership as a long-term investment, just like his experience in the Neubauer Fellowship. “So many programs start and end, but not the Fellowship,” he says. “The Neubauer Foundation has stayed with us. Joe, Jeanette, Edwin, and now Natalie—they’re all deeply committed to our growth. And when we succeed, they’re genuinely proud of us.” That kind of sustained, long-term support shaped Janczewski’s vision for Leading for Results. “As Legacy Fellows, we want to deliver the kind of results that the students of Philadelphia truly deserve,” he says. “That’s how we honor the investment that’s been made in us. That’s the legacy we’re building—not just for ourselves, but for the entire city.”