School System Leaders Recognized for Earning National Superintendent Certification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Minichello
703-774-6953 
jminichello@aasa.org

San Antonio, Texas – Feb. 15, 2023 – More than 20 public school system leaders across the country were recognized today for taking significant steps toward improving their schools and advancing 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 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. A ceremony was held prior to the start of AASA’s National Conference on Education in San Antonio, Texas, which kicks off on February 16.

“To best serve a public school district, today’s superintendent must possess the skills, knowledge and professional networks necessary to thrive on the job,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “In these uncertain times, excellence in leadership in our nation’s public schools has never been more vital to our children’s well-being. The AASA National Superintendent Certification Program® provides superintendents with opportunities to engage in world-class professional learning opportunities. I am pleased to congratulate these outstanding education leaders for completing our program.”
Honorees included:

• Kerry Boyd, superintendent, Yukon-Koyukuk School District, Fairbanks, Alaska
• Robin Bullock, superintendent, Allen Independent School District, Allen, Texas
• Stacey Cole, superintendent, Storm Lake Community School District, Storm Lake, Iowa
• Marissa Darlington, superintendent/principal, Nettle Creek Community Consolidated School District 24, Morris, Ill.
• Baron Davis, superintendent, Richland County School District 2, Columbia, S.C.
• Tim Dilg, superintendent, Valley Park School District, Valley Park, Mo.
• Holly Ferguson, superintendent, Prosper Independent School District, Prosper, Texas
• Kara Four Bear, superintendent, Eagle Butte School District 20-1, Eagle Butte, S.D.
• Jeff Horton, superintendent, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Independent School District #2365, Gibbon, Minn.
• Brandon Hubbard, superintendent, Chilton Independent School District, Chilton, Texas
• Keri Johnson, superintendent, Tuscaloosa County School System, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
• Kelli Joseph, superintendent, St. Helena Parish School District, Greensburg, La.
• Tequila Kurth, chief executive officer, UpGrade Media Arts Schools, Milwaukee, Wis.
• Scott MacManus, superintendent, Alaska Gateway School District, Tok, Alaska,
• Dave Palzet, superintendent, Pleasantdale School District 107, Burr Ridge, Ill.
• Henry Pettigrew, chief executive officer and superintendent, East Cleveland City School District, East Cleveland, Ohio
• Kenneth Somers, superintendent, Lewis-Palmer School District 38, Monument, Colo.
• Patrick Spray, superintendent, Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation, Whiteland, Ind.
• Jeff Stevens, superintendent, Spartanburg School District 7, Spartanburg, S.C.
• Terri Walker, superintendent, Northwest Arctic Borough School District, Kotzebue, Alaska
• Cindy Wigley, superintendent, Marshall County Schools, Guntersville, Ala.
• Walter Willett, superintendent, Tolland Public Schools, Tolland, Conn.

“Now more than ever, we need leaders with the vision, passion and willingness to take on sometimes unimaginable challenges,” said Mort Sherman, senior associate executive director, AASA Leadership Network. “That’s why the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program® was created—to significantly bolster the effectiveness of the next generation of leaders of our public schools.”

Participants of the program are trained by master teachers and guest instructors who have all been sitting superintendents and have demonstrable track records of success.

For more information about AASA’s National Superintendent Certification Program®, visit the AASA website or contact Sherman at msherman@aasa.org, or Amy Sichel, lead superintendent of the program, 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.