Superintendency 101: Top Tips to Lead By

What are the top tips that current superintendents have for new superintendents who are taking on a daunting job leading their districts?

We posted that question to 18 superintendents who have participated in the CoSN/edWeb Empowering Superintendents Webinar Series.  Series host and Project Director, Ann McMullan, asks each superintendent, “If you were teaching a course in Superintendency 101, what is the #1 piece of advice you would give a new superintendent?”  The answers provide a great list for superintendents to keep posted in their office, and reflect the wide ranging responsibilities and communities that superintendents need to communicate with to lead effectively.


Superintendency 101: Top Tips to Lead By

  • Everything rises and falls on leadership.
  • Remember, students come first. Everything you do is for the students.
  • Engage your PLN; build and maintain those relationships.
  • Get involved in your PLN at the highest level you can.
  • Develop your network so they can help you make better decisions and have a positive impact on your students.
  • Network and maintain relationships as best you can.
  • Build and maintain connections with multiple mentors, and continuously ask their advice.
  • Be firmly grounded in your beliefs and philosophies. This is the foundation that you need to build upon.
  • Be as transparent as you possibly can. Be who you say you are and do what you say you are going to do.
  • Over communicate. Educate students, teachers, administrators, parents and the community on everything you do.
  • Focus on the larger vision for your district and inspire people around you to contribute and become a part of that vision.
  • Empower your team and make learning the core of all that you do.
  • Hire people who share your values and work ethic.
  • Create ownership in your team to prepare students for a world that does not yet exist.
  • Be sure your technology department is accessible in your district.
  • Only delegate when you have a complete understanding of what it is you are giving to a colleague.
  • Take care of yourself first.
  • Give permission to your district to dream. Support them in their ability to make those dreams happen.

The CoSN/edWeb webinar series helps current and aspiring superintendents and district leadership teams build on their knowledge, skills, and confidence in leading digital transformations.  

Learn more at cosn.org/superintendents
The program is sponsored by ClassLink.

Register for upcoming webinars in the series:

Monday, Apr. 8 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time
Presented by Ned Kirsch, Superintendent, Franklin West Supervisory Union, VT; Dr. Mary Wegner, Superintendent, Sitka School District, AK; and Dr. Suzanne Lacey, Superintendent, Talladega County Schools, AL
 
Monday, May 13 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time
Presented by Ann Linson, Superintendent, East Noble School Corporation, IN; Randy Squier, Superintendent, Coxsackie-Athens Central School District, NY; and Dr. Gabe Soumakian, CEO and Founder, Sup Du Jour Consulting Group, CA
 
Monday, June 10 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time
Presented by Dr. Carol L. Kelley, Superintendent, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, IL; Michael Arensdorff, Senior Director of Technology, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, IL; David J. Seleb, Executive Director, Oak Park Public Library, IL; and Dr. Beth Holland, Digital Equity Project Director, CoSN