Assuming the role of superintendent is not for the faint of heart. While it offers significant rewards, such as professional recognition and leaving a lasting educational impact, it also carries a substantial (and worthwhile) load of responsibilities. 

From educational leadership to community engagement, the qualities required to become an effective superintendent are diverse. Some—like resilience—are innate, while others, such as mastering curriculum development, can be learned through experience and a relevant education. Join us as we discuss five qualities in a superintendent that have shaped effective leaders in school districts around the country. 

#1 Educational Vision 

As a superintendent, one of your primary responsibilities is to establish a clear vision for your school district. Your vision will set the tone for the district, inspire stakeholders, and create a sense of purpose that motivates everyone to achieve the shared goals you’ve determined. 

A well-rounded vision encompasses multiple aspects of education, including: 

  • Community engagement 
    To create a supportive learning community, it’s important to forge strong partnerships with parents, community organizations, and local businesses. 
  • A student-centered approach 
    Students are the foundation of why you do what you do. As such, they are the focal point of all policies and decisions you make. 
  • Professional development 
    Ensure an abundance of professional development opportunities for educators that enable them to further their instructional strategies and classroom management skills. 
  • A safe and supportive environment 
    Teachers, faculty, students, and parents should feel safe at school. That’s why it’s essential to brainstorm and establish effective strategies that foster a nurturing and respectful educational environment for everyone. 

#2 Strong Leadership 

While superintendents have significant administrative authority over the school personnel in their district, they are also responsible for listening to and addressing the needs of teachers, faculty, parents, and especially students. 

To successfully work with and guide so many distinct personalities, superintendents must possess strong leadership skills to uphold effective district-wide management. Not only are they creating a vision and working with all the people in a community, they’re also demonstrating leadership in other tasks, such as: 

  • Establishing a positive culture in the schools. 
  • Making critical decisions, like allocating funds and choosing the most appropriate curriculum that has the power to alter the education experience for staff and students. 
  • Motivating and inspiring administrators, teachers, and other faculty members to continually improve and be the best at what they do. 

#3 Strategic Planning 

The board of trustees is responsible for many tasks within the district, including hiring and transitioning superintendents. They work closely with each superintendent to establish goals for their district, leaving it up to the superintendent to carry them out. 

In order for a district leader to effectively accomplish the board’s short- and long-term goals, they need to be able to plan ahead with a solid strategy in mind. This includes appropriately allocating resources, adapting to ever-changing circumstances, and making sure that their progress is measurable. 

#4 Curriculum and Instructional Expertise 

Although women make up 76% of K–12 teachers in the United States, only 24% of the nation’s superintendents are female. How can aspiring superintendents, including the many incredible female teachers making up that 76%, start their path to school leadership? Additionally, given that the demand for administrators, like teachers, is outstripping the supply,, how do superintendents without significant experience in the classroom ensure the district’s curriculums are of the highest caliber and align with the state standards and the needs of their students? 

Superintendents can gain a concrete understanding of effective educational programs by: 

  • Collaborating with educators. 
  • Creating educational leadership teams to assess and refine the curriculum and instructional strategies. 

#5 Top-Tier Communication 

One of the primary responsibilities of a superintendent involves communicating with board members, administrators, faculty, parents, and even students from across the district. There are several ways effective communication can make you more successful in your role, including: 

  • Building trust 
    When your constituents feel heard and valued, they’re more likely to trust your leadership abilities. 
  • Aligning goals 
    As you carry out the goals of the board and the community at large, your ability to plan and facilitate productive work groups  will help to align the stakeholders’ goals with the district’s mission and vision. 
  • Resolving conflicts 
    During your time as superintendent, there will inevitably be disagreements between constituents in the district. Explicit communication can help facilitate constructive dialogue between conflicting parties so that the issues can be resolved promptly. 

Master The Qualities Needed as a Superintendent at UTPB 

If you’re considering whether you have the skills necessary to become an effective superintendent in your school district, you already possess one valuable quality of most successful superintendents—the drive to succeed. 

At UT Permian Basin, our online Superintendent Certification program offers principals and assistant principals all the foundational skills needed to develop and maintain relationships with school boards, teachers, parents, and students. In as little as two semesters, our online 16-credit certification program can help prepare you for your role as a groundbreaking and dedicated superintendent. 

Our program is an approved educator program in Texas and boasts the following accreditation and awards: 

  • Nationally accredited by the prestigious Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)  
  • Approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)  
  • Accredited by the Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP)  

If you’re currently working outside of Texas and are interested in our program, don’t let your location stop you! Out-of-state candidates should contact Dr. Rod Uzat to determine if UTPB’s online Superintendent Certification program will meet the requirements of their state. 

A year from now, you could be changing the lives of thousands of students. Take the first step and apply today! 

Sources: 
https://www.aasa.org/resources/resource/where-are-all-the-women-superintendents
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/what-makes-a-great-superintendent/