Our Broad Offerings for Professional Growth

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE

Superintendents have one of the best jobs in the country, as well as one of the toughest. No one has the potential to transform the economic opportunity of a local community or create the next generation of leaders like public school superintendents.

Like many of you who were inspired to enter the teaching ranks and public education profession, there were teachers along the way who had a tremendous impact on me, such as Mrs. Rafoth in kindergarten and Mr. Cismoski and Mr. Bruggink in high school. In addition to this initial inspiration of great educators growing up in Wisconsin, both of my parents, including mom who was a “rock star” high school teacher, and many others encouraged me along the way in my career to pursue the path of leadership. As leaders in public education, it is imperative we identify and support the next generation of school system leaders.

For several years now, AASA has offered the Aspiring Superintendents Academy, Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Latino and Latina Leaders, Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Female Leaders and Urban Superintendents Academy.

For our cohorts, we developed a framework that guides the general professional learning process. At the core of the Aspiring Superintendents framework is knowing yourself, your strengths and areas for growth. Exploring and maintaining positive board relationships, human capital development, communications, learning in the 22nd century and supervision and development are many of the additional areas of these programs for each of us as leaders to explore.

Privileged Service

It is easy to get consumed in managing the day-to-day challenges and not find the time to step back and reflect on your leadership role. It is often helpful to revisit how you first approached the role. You had ideas about what you would and wouldn’t do as a public school system leader. You watched others before you, had clear ideas about how you would handle situations and set the path forward for your school community.

I encourage you to take some time this summer to reflect on what drew you to heed the call to lead a school system. No one else in your district has the pressures and opportunities you do to transform the educational experience of the students in your community. I know you believe as I do that it is both an honor and a privilege to serve.

At the National Conference on Education this year, EAB released its 2023 Voice of the Superintendent report with key findings from its survey of sitting superintendents across the United States. The report states: “Those who are neither new (< 3 years of experience) nor veteran (10+ years of experience) are much more likely to have one eye on the exit, and one in four district superintendents still plan to retire within the next two to three years.”

The research suggests mid-career superintendents are the ones at greatest risk to leave the profession.

Empowering Colleagues

To meet these growing challenges, AASA has continued to broaden its professional learning offerings. AASA’s Leadership Network has expanded professional development opportunities over the past several years to address many of these topics, and our colleagues find the peer support to be one of the most positive benefits of the network.

AASA is exploring ways to expand systems of support for each of our colleagues across the nation. We know not all school districts have the resources to send staff to onsite professional learning. We are committed to refining our offerings to ensure that hybrid and remote professional learning opportunities across the country enable and empower our colleagues to connect and grow as leaders.

Please review the various academies, cohorts and conferences on our newly redesigned website, and reach out to a member of our team or to me if you have an idea about a professional learning topic we should offer our members and those within the education field who may consider becoming school system leaders. Be well, my friends.

David Schuler is AASA’s executive director. Twitter: @AASA_ED