Top US-based and local principals and transformational leaders will inspire and influence the thinking of their local counterparts participating in this month's JN Foundation School Leadership Summit.

The event, being mounted under the theme 'Impact. Innovate. Lead: Join the Education Revolution', has drawn the participation of top US principal Salome Thomas-EL, the keynote speaker at the summit scheduled for July 25 and 26 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.

Thomas- EL, who is an award-winning teacher and principal, has a track record, spanning more than two decades, of assisting challenged young people in the US to achieve success.

"His career started at the Roberts Vaux Middle School, where he changed the outcomes of many students by leading a change in the attitudes and approaches of staff," said lead organiser of the summit, Dr Renee Rattray, director, education programmes at the JN Foundation.

Thomas-EL, best-selling author and chess coach, has assisted students at the Roberts Vaux Middle School in the US to be recognised as eight-time National Chess Champions. He will focus on the topic 'Failure is not an Option', and he will also lead a session on 'Creating an Atmosphere of Success in a School'.

Another presenter is Dr Christopher Emdin, professor of science at New York's Columbia University. His success, using hip hop music to develop students' interest and learning science, has been garnering attention across the US.

Kasan Troupe, motivational speaker and transformational principal of the Denbigh High School in Clarendon, will also impart practical strategies and experiences, along with other transformational principals from emerging high schools in the island.