Celebrating Superintendents

President's Corner

WE ALL KNOW that one size does not fit all when it comes to the education of children. Superintendents across this nation also understand that equity is a promise that must be kept in our public schools.

And, of course, education leaders recognize that our public school system is dealing with rapid changes that dictate the need and present the opportunity to think differently about how we educate students who must graduate future-ready.

Over the course of my year as AASA president, I have focused a conversation reflecting on these and other educational challenges through the lens of redefining, redesigning and reimagining education. The President’s Corner has provided an opportunity to explore this 3R’s work and consider the impact from various perspectives.

I certainly have not been alone on this journey. In this, my last column as president, I celebrate our AASA superintendents who are ensuring that the promise of a high-quality education for every public school student is a reality and not just a dream.

I am grateful for the superintendents who have worked so hard to lead the way in redefining, redesigning and reimaging education and who have allowed me to share those stories throughout the year.

This 3R’s work is happening in rural, suburban and urban districts and in districts with small and large enrollments. Neither size nor place matters — leadership does.

I have had the privilege to work with districts ranging from a few hundred students, such as the Amboy schools in Illinois, where Jeff Thake is innovating and personalizing learning for every student, to some of the largest districts in the country, such as North Carolina’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where Clayton Wilcox and his staff are transforming the teaching and learning environment to ensure student agency is a focus.

I have interacted with exemplary superintendents and educational leaders as part of several AASA groups, including the Digital Consortium, Personalized Learning Cohort and Superintendent Certification Academy.

AASA is talking the talk and walking the walk when it comes to personalization. Through collaboratives, cohorts and certification programs, the association is supporting the interests and needs of superintendents who are leading this transformation in schools. Now that is personalized professional development for school superintendents!

AASA has created powerful opportunities to grow our networks and to support superintendents in relevant and meaningful ways. The Women in Leadership and Educational Leadership initiatives are examples of those services.

AASA reaches out to all members to connect them to the resources and information they need. Our incoming president, Chris Gaines, captured it well at the 2018 National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn., when he challenged AASA members to engage, learn and lead. If as superintendents we do just that, we will continue to grow and develop as leaders and thus lead the growth and development of our districts.

As I move from my role as AASA president to past president, I look forward to continuing to celebrate our public schools through our I Love Public Education campaign. Public school superintendents are making great things happen day in and day out and sometimes against enormous odds.

I am so proud to be a member of an organization that supports and serves superintendents in their own growth and provides those leaders with a voice to advocate for equity for all children. I am proud to call myself a superintendent and serve with the great individuals who are AASA members.