“I am of the firm belief that if there is one skill our kids need to graduate with, it’s that,” says Shari Camhi, superintendent of the Baldwin Union Free School District and who now serves on the board of the National Assessment Governing Board.
Two weeks ago, the District Administration Leadership Institute hosted its latest Superintendents Summit in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. And if you were to ask attendees about their experience—which we did—they’d tell you they left inspired and reignited, ready to return to their communities with the ideas and takeaways from conversations they had throughout the event.
“You survived it, tell your story,” is a quote that’s been resonating with Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Iranetta Rayborn Wright. She says when you finally understand and believe in that, then you must tell your story, because somebody needs to hear it.
Three years ago, about 30 students across eight different schools throughout Denver Public Schools went to the board of education to pass a climate change policy. Now, they’re receiving national attention for their efforts.
“The fact remains: seven out of 10 districts are led by men even though women make up the overwhelming majority of the education workforce,” said Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer, CEO of ILO Group and founder of Women Leading Ed, in a new report.
In order for there to be more women involved in district leadership, it requires current and aspiring leaders to create a strong network of females who advocate for one another. And that’s the mission these two have sought out to do in their own communities.
“It doesn’t matter if you have the best teacher in the classroom and high-quality materials… if our students’ well-being is not taken care of, they’re not going to be able to receive all of that great instruction,” says Candice Castillo, executive officer of student support services at Houston ISD.
Carvalho, who will be giving a keynote speech at the District Administration Leadership Institute Executive Cabinet Retreat next week, says there’s one leadership trait that simply can’t be taught: “a huge personal chip on your shoulder.”
“Be so bold in your approach to work that you actually invite termination for being so passionate,” says Carvalho, superintendent at the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest in the country.
When Superintendent Jonathan Prince took the helm at St. Lucie Public Schools in 2022, he described it as being passed the torch by Bear Bryant. Fortunately, he had the experience from District Administration’s Superintendent’s Academy to rely on.
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