MY JOURNEY by Susan R. Rieke-Smith
AASA Women In School Leadership Initiative
More Than a Power Lunch: Building Networks to Support and Advance Women
in School Leadership
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Susan R. Rieke-Smith,
Ed.D.
Superintendent
Tigard Tualatin
School District 23J (OR)
District Size: 12,650 students
District Type: Urban
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MY
JOURNEY
Early in my career I thought of myself as an educator whose
career path would arch within four classroom walls. I soon realized, I had a
desire to directly impact larger instructional systems in pursuit of my passion
for student success.
I began my career in education teaching 5th grade
ESOL in two Title I Elementary schools in the Salem-Keizer School District. In
2005, I was recruited to serve as an assistant principal at McKay High School.
In 2007, I accepted the principalship at Houck Middle School and was recognized
as Oregon’s Middle School Principal of the year. Four years later, I returned
to Salem-Keizer Public Schools in a cabinet level position as Director of
Instructional Services. In 2014, I
joined the Springfield School District as the assistant superintendent, served
briefly as interim superintendent and was later appointed as the permanent
superintendent. In July 2018, I accepted
the superintendency of the Tigard Tualatin School District.
CHALLENGES
Being a superintendent has its challenges,
particularly in terms of navigating work-life balance. I quickly learned I couldn’t be the perfect
administrator, the perfect wife, the perfect mother. I consider myself fortunate to have a spouse
who, despite navigating his own career, has been an active partner in raising our
three daughters.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
- I chose not to mimic male leadership models, but
instead concentrate on leadership skills and behaviors that create a holistic approach
that balances instructional and executive leadership, that puts the feminine
first.
- I am laser focused to equity of outcomes for all
students. Because students’ success is at the heart of all my decisions, I am willing
to take actions that others won’t. I was willing
to navigate more than a few “baptisms by fire” over the past eighteen years on
students’ behalf.
- Building and nurturing board relationships and understanding
what drives their work is critical. As their agent, it is important to support
the board in its policy work. If the board is successful, ultimately the
district is successful in providing the best education possible for the community.
ADVICE
- Embrace the gift of female leadership. Female leaders lead holistically and with
pragmatism, their intellect informed by their heart.
- To be successful, you must stay true to your
mission and goals.