In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Rachel White, Founder and Lead Researcher at The Superintendent Lab, a hub for data, research, insights, and innovation on the public school district superintendency. She is currently the Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. White has also taught at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Old Dominion University and has served as a school board member and volunteer coach at Van Wert City Schools in Ohio. She is a member of the University Council for Education Administration, the American Educational Research Association, and the Association for Education Finance and Policy.

Some Questions We Ask:

• Tell us about yourself and The Superintendent Lab. (01:31)
• How do you humanize the role of superintendents and incorporate that in your research? (04:26)
• In what ways did the RAND study inspire your research? (08:08)
• How has scrutiny of the superintendency changed over the years, and is turnover being addressed by retention programs? (11:52)
• In your research, have you looked at partnerships between superintendents and the community? (16:07)
• Which of your research findings are most alarming? (18:34)
• In your opinion, how will the new administration impact K-12 leadership? (24:48)
• How can the community support and advocate for superintendents? (28:06)
• Tell us more about your hopes for The Superintendent Lab. (30:26)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• All about Dr. Rachel White and The Superintendent Lab (01:40)
• Humanizing superintendents (04:34)
• Dr. White’s research (08:13)
• Scrutiny of the superintendency and retention programs to address turnover (12:22)
• Partnerships between superintendents and the community (16:33)
• Research findings that alarm her (18:40)
• Impacts of the new administration on K-12 leadership (24:58)
• Advocating for superintendents at the community level (28:22)
• Hopes for The Superintendent Lab in the future (30:32)

Quotes:

“Superintendents that have strong trusting relationships with their school board—and particularly their school board president—are significantly less likely to be job seeking.”

“What we know is that principal stability impacts teacher stability, and we know teacher stability does impact students outcomes and educational experiences, right? So it's sort of like doing a stepwise process to get to what is the impact of superintendent turnover.”

“Any sort of changes at the federal level may mean that superintendents really have to step up right and make sure that we continue to say, ‘We are going to serve every kid that walks in our door, and we're going to do whatever it takes to do that.’”

Stay in touch with Dr. Rachel White:
LinkedIn
The Superintendent Lab website
Email: rachel.white@austin.utexas.edu

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
SWPR GROUP Website
LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
LinkedIn

About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook

In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross, Superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools in Michigan. She has decades of experience at public K-12 and charter schools of all sizes, including serving as Superintendent for Okemos Public Schools and for the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System. She is a sought-after professional speaker, educational consultant, and leadership development coach as well as a church pastor.

Some Questions We Ask:

• Can you tell us more about your career and your current role? (01:23)
• What is the most rewarding aspect of your career? (02:10)
• What can you say about the RAND research, and how you are able to cope with stress? (03:03)
• How do you think scrutiny of the superintendency has changed over the years? (04:32)
• How do you unify people to build community within your school district? (05:32)
• How much do you think your experiences align with those of superintendents in your state or across the country? (07:11)
• How are you sharing stories to bring people together? (08:33)
• What advice can you give to other superintendents with regards to cultivating engagement? (10:34)
• What makes people forget that superintendents are real people, and how can we demonstrate that you are solving challenging issues to give K-12 students the best education possible? (12:35)
• How can a community advocate for superintendents? (14:06)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• All about Dr. Zachery-Ross’ educational career (01:31)
• Rewarding aspects throughout her career (02:19)
• Her take on coping with stress (03:26)
• Scrutiny of the superintendency through the years (04:54)
• Unifying the community (05:47)
• Her personal experiences as a superintendent compared with others’ (07:26)
• Sharing stories to unify people (08:50)
• Dr. Zachery-Ross’ advice to other school leaders (10:49)
• Treating superintendents as individuals and not robots (12:55)
• Advocating for superintendents (14:44)

Quotes:

“During my time as superintendent in two different districts, I've been able to take students to Ghana, Africa, on educational journeys, and watching them has been the best joy. It's been life-changing for those groups of students. It was phenomenal to see them return as transformed people and as transformed learners.”

“We all want to make a difference in our students’ lives. We all want to see academic growth. We all want to support our staff and families and make an impact on our community.”

“A smile goes a long way—and it's up to us to be personal. It's up to us to make that connection.”

Stay in touch with Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross:

Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross Website

Ypsilanti Community Schools Website

LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
SWPR GROUP Website
LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
LinkedIn

About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook

In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Dan Cox, the Superintendent of Schools in Rochester Community Unit School District 3A in Rochester, Illinois. In his 16-year education career in the state, he led the Staunton Community Unit School District and the Jasper County Community Unit 1 School District. He also served as an Assistant Principal and Principal at East Richland Elementary School in Olney. He is active on many boards at the local, regional, and state levels, including the State Assessment Review Committee for the Illinois State Board of Education.

Some Questions We Ask:

• Can you tell us more about your career as a superintendent? (01:25)
• What aspect of your career is most rewarding? (02:18)
• What are your thoughts about the RAND research and how important wellness is to you in coping with stress? (04:04)
• How do you feel scrutiny of the superintendency has changed over the years? (05:45)
• What are key factors in unifying the community to support your vision? (09:34)
• How much do you think your experiences align with those of superintendents in your state or across the country? (07:11)
• How are you able to share and communicate your stories with the community? (12:39)
• What advice can you give to other school leaders who are struggling in building a community? (15:21)
• Why is it important for people to see superintendents as human beings? (18:23)
• How can the community support superintendents? (20:20)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Dr. Cox’s career in education (01:36)
• Rewarding aspects of his career (02:29)
• The importance of wellness in coping with stress (04:15)
• Scrutiny of the superintendency (05:53)
• Developing a single vision for the community (09:56)
• Thoughts on communication and storytelling (12:54)
• Advice on community-building for fellow school leaders (15:43)
• Humanizing the role of superintendents (18:35)
• Advocating for superintendents (20:26)

Quotes:

“We had a pandemic, and it was our responsibility as superintendents to bring a sense of hope, but also a sense of peace and calm and renewal—and then bring in joy and love: the joy of education and the love for what we do and who we serve, which is our kids and our communities.”

“If I was to break it down and just really be authentic and vulnerable about it, [my advice for wellness] is to know who you are at your core and don't identify yourself with your profession.”

Stay in touch with Dr. Dan Cox:

LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
SWPR GROUP Website
LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
LinkedIn

About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook