Teacher retention is a continuing concern. One of the reasons teachers leave the profession is that they don't feel valued or working to their potential. Developing teacher leadership is a positive way to improve job satisfaction, career development, and retention (Wixom, 2016). In addition, teacher leadership and influence in decision-making are positively associated with student achievement (Ingersoll et al., 2018). One promising approach to strengthen teacher leadership capacity is through leadership academies. Kansas State University co-facilitates teacher leadership academies with seven local school districts where educators identified by their districts engage in a two-year process designed to build teachers' confidence and skills and help them explore the career continuum as they work toward a master's in educational leadership. This model helps districts invest in keeping good teachers in their pipeline, either within the school or by advancing to other career opportunities within the district. It also helps teachers find their voice as they grow professionally, establish strong networks, and develop their leadership skills to impact student learning and contribute to the success of their schools.