AASA Central | Leaders Matter
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Diana Clapp, Superintendent, Fremont County School District #6, Pavillion, Wyo. and Craig Dougherty, Superintendent, Sheridan County School District #2, Sheridan, Wyo.

Nominated By: Kevin Mitchell, Executive Director, Wyoming Association of School Administrators

Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus, Superintendent, Upshur County School District, Buckhannon, W.Va. and Adam L. Cheeseman, Superintendent, Doddridge County Schools, West Union, W.Va.

Nominated By: Susan Lee Collins, Executive Director, West Virginia Association of School Administrators

Karen Gaborik, Superintendent, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Fairbanks, Alaska

Nominated By: Nominated By: Lisa Skiles Parady, Executive Director, Alaska Superintendents Association

AASA, The School Superintendents Association has launched its Leaders Matter campaign to showcase school districts where the exemplary leadership of the superintendent has resulted in meaningful, measurable outcomes for the schools, students and communities they serve.

Why do Leaders Matter?

AASA, The School Superintendents Association represents superintendents at the national level. From advocating on your behalf and on behalf of the children you serve, then successfully pushing for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to successfully working to double the dollars available through E-Rate, we are your support structure. We care about your professional development and we care about your well-being.

To help you with the problems and situations you face daily, we will share stories, tips and tools from successful practitioners. We will share the names of superintendents that have successfully implemented programs you may be contemplating. Additionally, we will keep you informed of what’s going on in Congress and the US Department of Education. We will ask you to share your stories or pose your requests for information or where to find the appropriate resources. We will do that for you because you are an educational leader and a champion for children in the community you serve.

School system leaders create meaningful change for the students they serve and their communities.

Leaders Matter for School Breakfast

AASA has always seen healthy eating in schools as a leadership issue.  Meals were served in the cafeteria, vending machines dotted the hallways of schools, and sales of cookies, chips, candies and other fundraisers took place all over the district.  While many different people were ‘in charge’ of these various forms of food sales/distribution, the superintendent, as the leader of the district, is ultimately responsible for what and how students are fed.  With funding from the Walmart Foundation since 2011, AASA has provided funding and technical assistance to 30 districts over four cohorts, feeding more than 400,000 students.  We feature four superintendents here, a representative of each cohort, sharing their thoughts on the importance of school breakfast to student success.

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Women in School Leadership

Women comprise more than 70% of the education workforce, but few occupy the top leadership position in U.S. public school systems. AASA launched an inspiring video series to provide a firsthand account of the leadership journeys of nine women superintendents who have made it to the top job.

 

  • Learn about their journeys–the successes and challenges and how they overcame them to secure the superintendency.
  • Gain insights, life lessons and practical tips and advice to help you nail the top leadership job.
  • Discover proven strategies to help you break through barriers and navigate pathways to success.

 

Featuring: Theresa Alban, Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick, Md.; Debbi Burdick, Cave Creek Unified School District, Cave Creek, Ariz.; Traci Davis, Washoe County School District, Reno, Nev.; Mary Jo Hainstock, Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District, Vinton, Iowa; Gail Pletnick, Dysart Unified School District, Surprise, Ariz.; Michelle Price, North Central Educational Service District, Wenatchee, Wash.; Ana Riley, Portsmouth School Department, Portsmouth, R.I.; Michele Taylor, Calhoun City Schools, Calhoun, Ga.; and Marie Wiles, Guilderland Central School District, Guilderland Center, N.Y.

Early Childhood Education

Leaders Matter in every facet of education, from early learning through higher ed. We are excited to share the following case studies highlighting successful models of early learning environments underway in Ann Arbor, Mich., Wichita Falls, Texas and Yakima, Wash., by AASA members.

Ann Arbor Public Schools, Mich.
Jeanice Kerr Swift, superintendent of schools, and Dawn Linden, executive director, elementary education.

West Valley School District #208, Wash.

Mike Brophy, superintendent of schools, and Peter Finch, assistant superintendent.

Wichita Falls ISD, Texas.

Michael Kuhrt, superintendent of schools.

To learn more about AASA’s Early Learning Cohort, visit aasa.org/early-learn-cohort.aspx.

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    Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders.
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    “Montana has great teachers and administrators and students!” Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.)
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    Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) shows his support for the I Love Public Education campaign.
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    All children deserve access to a high-quality public education.
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    “It is essential that we foster a strong public education system where every child, regardless of their personal circumstances, can get the kind of quality education they need to be successful in the 21st Century economy.” Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.)
  • AASA Love Public Education
    It is still the “greater equalizer” that provides for the greater good!
  • AASA Love Public Education
    I am passionate about the success of all students we save.
  • AASA Love Public Education
    It is the backbone of our democracy! Our country is stronger because of our public schools!!!
  • AASA Love Public Education
    We support ALL kids!
  • AASA Love Public Education
    All means All!!
  • AASA Love Public Education
    I believe the children are the future!
  • AASA Love Public Education
    It is the foundation of our nation and contributes to the talents pool of future global leaders.
  • AASA Love Public Education
    Each child deserves an Exceptional Educational Experience!
  • AASA Love Public Education
    Without it – we are nothing With it we can be everything!
  • AASA Love Public Education
    Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders.
  • AASA Love Public Education
    “We must invest in our public schools.” Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.)
  • AASA Love Public Education
    “Montana has great teachers and administrators and students!” Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.)
  • AASA Love Public Education
    Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) shows his support for the I Love Public Education campaign.
  • AASA Love Public Education
    All children deserve access to a high-quality public education.
  • Test 1
  • Test2
  • AASA Love Public Education
    “It is essential that we foster a strong public education system where every child, regardless of their personal circumstances, can get the kind of quality education they need to be successful in the 21st Century economy.” Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.)