During a recent conference I attended, the topic of leadership requirements for superintendents was a huge discussion point. As expected, areas such as instruction, operations and business, and communications all ranked highly, but the idea of political leadership was seen as becoming increasingly important for the success of school leaders…

The once “looming” teacher shortage is now here and threatens to become even worse over the next several years. A recent report by USA Today indicated 86% of schools across the country have struggled to fill vacancies and it is predicted that by 2025, there will be over 300,000 vacancies…

As schools across the country opened this month, the usual first-day question of “Who is my child’s teacher?” must now include: “And are they qualified?” By 2025, it is expected there will be over 300,000 teacher vacancies nationwide. To fill these gaps, many states are turning to the stop-gap measure…

I’m always appreciative when someone knows my background as a superintendent and industry leader in education and tells me how much they value teachers. Usually, it’s to share stories about how a teacher helped shape their life or the extraordinary impact teachers are having on their children. Political leaders from…

Each October, educators across the country acknowledge the work of their school principals, some of the most important leaders in a school district. For those who serve in a district leadership position, identifying strong principals should be one of your highest priorities. Below are some qualities to look for in…

Across the country, schools are welcoming students back to the classroom. Unlike previous years where a parent had every reason to expect their child would be welcomed by a fully certified teacher, schools have struggled to find such educators, and have tried to plug vacancies with uncertified candidates. How bad…

Every leader stepping into a new organization should have a well-planned and articulated entry plan. Many leaders make the mistake of entering an organization with a pre-determined set of goals, ideas and changes they’d like to immediately begin the process of making. While it may be necessary to make an…

In July 2023, I was one of several education leaders invited to speak to the Texas House of Representatives Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Select Committee. The meeting was a first for this select committee, created by the Speaker of the Texas House in anticipation of a special session focused on…

An effective superintendent understands that clear, consistent communication is key to paving a pathway to success for everyone in the organization. Engaging district leaders in two-way communication provides valuable, actionable feedback and supports an environment of mutual respect and cooperation. Listed below are several groups a Superintendent might consider when…