School System Leaders Advance Their Careers by Earning National Superintendent Certification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Minichello
703-875-0723
703-774-6953 (cell)
jminichello@aasa.org

Alexandria, Va. – Nov. 13, 2020 – Nearly 30 public school system leaders across the country were recognized today for taking significant steps to improve their schools and advance their careers by successfully completing the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program®.

The program, administered by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is a collaborative effort with AASA state affiliates, the National School Boards Association, and business and corporate leaders. Through its in-depth curriculum, dynamic in-person and virtual sessions, one-on-one mentoring, Capstone Project and long-term professional networks, the program delivers the comprehensive leadership opportunities that superintendents need.

“In these uncertain times, excellence in leadership in our nation’s public schools has never been more vital to our children’s well-being,” said Daniel A. Domenech, AASA executive director. “In light of the pandemic, the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program® provides superintendents with opportunities to engage in a world-class professional learning opportunity. I am pleased to congratulate these outstanding education leaders for completing the program.”

Superintendents and other administrators honored were:

• Jeffrey Alstadt, superintendent, Randall Consolidated School Joint District No. 1, Burlington, Wis.
• Shawn Arnold, superintendent, Valdez City Schools, Valdez, Alaska
• Todd Dugan, superintendent, Bunker Hill Community Unit School District 8, Bunker Hill, Ill.
• Robert Devere, superintendent, Tombstone Unified School District, Tombstone, Ariz. 
• Sherry Durkee, superintendent, Sand Springs Public Schools, Sand Springs, Okla.
• Mark Elworthy, interim superintendent, St. Francis School District, St. Francis, Wis.
• Aaron Espolt, executive director, School Design and Innovation, Oklahoma State Dept. of Education, Oklahoma City, Okla.
• Rane’ Garcia, superintendent, Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System, Muskegon Heights, Mich. 
• Elijah Granger, superintendent, Lancaster Independent School District, Lancaster, Texas
• Sharonica L. Hardin-Bartley, superintendent, The School District of University City, University City, Mo.
• Melonie Hau, superintendent, Newcastle Public Schools, Newcastle, Okla.
• Angela E. Jangula, superintendent, Cañon Elementary School District #50, Black Canyon City, Ariz.
• Jennifer Kelsall, superintendent, Ridgewood Community High School District 234, Norridge, Ill.  
• Charles W. Lentz, superintendent, New Hope-Solebury School District, New Hope, Pa.
• Demetrus Liggins, superintendent, Greenville Independent School District, Greenville, Texas
• Alan Lumpkin, superintendent, Pearl River County School District, Carriere, Miss. 
• M. Christopher Marchese, superintendent, Avon Grove School District, West Grove, Pa.
• Jennifer Martin-Green, superintendent, Southfield Public Schools, Southfield, Mich.
• Ryan Noss, superintendent, Corvallis School District, Corvallis, Ore.
• Rich Powers, superintendent, Bondurant-Farrar Community School District, Bondurant, Iowa
• Kenny Rodrequez, superintendent, Grandview C-4 School District, Grandview, Mo.
• Sue Savaglio-Jarvis, superintendent, Kenosha Unified School District, Kenosha, Wis.
• Marc Smith, superintendent, Duncanville Independent School District, Duncanville, Texas
• Marlon Styles Jr., superintendent, Middletown City School District, Middletown, Ohio  
• Corey Tafoya, superintendent, Harvard Community Unit School District 50, Harvard, Ill. 
• Wayne Wormstadt, superintendent, Windom Area Schools, Windom, Minn. 

“The challenges that lie on a superintendent’s plate can be daunting. That’s why the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program® was created,” said Mort Sherman, AASA associate executive director, Leadership Network. “The program provides a pathway to enhance a superintendent’s leadership and business skills in order to excel on the job.”

To date, more than 300 AASA members have completed the program, with overwhelmingly positive results. For more information, contact Sherman at msherman@aasa.org or Amy Sichel at amy.sichel@aasa.org.

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About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.