Lessons In Leadership: Page

Lessons In Leadership is a regular Q&A series in which K-12 Dive talks to principals and superintendents about best practices in their schools and districts and the challenges they've overcome in their roles.


  • A man superintendent in an astronaut suit stands in an assembly hall packed with K-8 students.
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    Permission granted by Glenn Robbins/Brigantine Public Schools
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How stoic philosophy influences a New Jersey superintendent’s approach to leadership

    Being mindful of what you can and cannot control is key to remaining calm as a school leader, says Brigantine Public Schools’ Glenn Robbins.

    By • June 27, 2024
  • A Latino school leader in a suit kneels at a classroom table to speak with two boys.
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    Permission granted by Santa Ana Unified School District
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How student voice informs change in a California district

    The rollout process for a district graduate profile led Santa Ana Superintendent Jerry Almendarez to implement ongoing student input sessions.

    By • April 25, 2024
  • This is a headshot of Matthew Montgomery, superintendent of Lake Forest Schools' District 67 and District 115 in Illinois.
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    Permission granted by Lake Forest Schools
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a Chicago-area district embraces community engagement amid political divides

    With two school boards to answer to and pushback from a vocal parent rights group, careful communication is key for this superintendent.

    By • March 29, 2024
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    iStock | Francesco Ridolfi

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    Sponsored by Kognity

    Can inquiry-based learning transform classrooms and equip students for real-world challenges?

    Turn passive learners into problem-solving stars. IBL transforms science education for success in the classroom and beyond.

    March 11, 2024
  • This is a headshot of Shampriest Bevel, principal of Bayside Sixth Grade Campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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    Permission granted by Shampriest Bevel
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How prioritizing culture boosted attendance, academics in a Virginia middle school

    Shampriest Bevel, who began her principal role mid-pandemic, says it was critical to put student and teacher voice first and “focus on what people really needed.”

    By • Feb. 29, 2024
  • A photo of a elementary-level classroom. In the forefront is a desk with a globe and holder for colored pencils. In the background are young students but their images are blurred.
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    Getty Images
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    5 insights from top school administrators in 2023

    We’ve highlighted some key insights on community voice, union negotiations, crisis management and more from this year’s conversations.

    By • Jan. 2, 2024
  • African American teacher playing with toy blocks in class at the school.
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    Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Pearson

    3 common misconceptions about SEL — and how educators can address them

    Learn how educators can work with families to understand their resistance and work together to foster acceptance.

    Nov. 13, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Suzanne Lacey, superintendent of Talladega County Schools in Alabama.
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    Permission granted by Talladega County Schools
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    This rural Alabama district hit the fast lane on 1:1 devices years before the pandemic

    Over her 16 years leading Talladega County Schools, Suzanne Lacey has prioritized innovation and partnership with local industries like NASCAR.

    By • Oct. 23, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Sue Mariani, superintendent of Duquesne City School District in Pennsylvania.
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    Permission granted by Sue Mariani
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a Pennsylvania superintendent set out to restore her district’s secondary grades

    With middle grades returned, Sue Mariani aims to sustainably bring high school back to Duquesne City School District in a system under receivership.

    By • Sept. 27, 2023
  • Deborah Wortham, superintendent of Roosevelt Union Free School District in New York, is pictured speaking into a webcam during a video address to her school district.
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    Retrieved from YouTube on August 30, 2023
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a New York superintendent found her passion in school turnarounds

    The Roosevelt Union Free School District’s Deborah Wortham says the most important questions students have of leaders are, “Do I care? Am I visible?”

    By • Aug. 30, 2023
  • LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho speaks at a city council meeting in May.
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    Retrieved from LA City Clerk.
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    Q&A // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    What should superintendents keep in mind in union negotiations?

    LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho says talks may exceed budget comfort zones, but that may be necessary based on economic realities.

    By • July 14, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District.
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    Permission granted by Los Angeles Unified School District
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    Q&A // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How NAEP scores are adding urgency to Los Angeles’ math, reading push

    As a member of the assessment’s governing board, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is all too familiar with the gravity of pandemic learning loss.

    By • July 13, 2023
  • A student at a school desk looking down working in workbook
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    Permission granted by Fly Five
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    Sponsored by Fly Five

    Paving the way for positive behavior with mindfulness

    Mindfulness practices in the classroom can help students to reset, refocus, and remain in control.

    By Fly Five • July 3, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Justin Jennings, superintendent of Youngstown City School District in Ohio.
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    Permission granted by Youngstown City School District
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: For Ohio superintendent, focus on student skills is key to broader local economy

    Youngstown, Ohio, was hit hard by the decline of the local steel industry, but Justin Jennings sees part of his role as equipping students to attract new fields to the region.

    By • May 30, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Iranetta Wright, superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools.
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    Permission granted by Cincinnati Public Schools
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: Cincinnati superintendent invites community to ‘Be Present’ for students

    For Iranetta Wright, the entire community has a stake in providing support and resources for student success, including through direct volunteerism.

    By • April 19, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Derek McCoy, principal of North Carolina's Havelock Middle School.
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    Permission granted by Derek McCoy
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: A North Carolina principal details why middle school is more than academics

    Social media and pandemic fallout are only compounding the hurdles that come with a critical period of brain development, says Derek McCoy.

    By • March 31, 2023
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    How 4 school leaders use communication, transparency to battle community divisions

    Amid growing politicization, administrators are working to cultivate community with authenticity, visibility and meeting people where they’re at.

    By • March 23, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Roanoke City Public Schools Superintendent Verletta White.
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    Permission granted by Roanoke City Public Schools
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: Roanoke superintendent puts equity in action through career and technical ed

    For Verletta White, navigating and avoiding misunderstandings is a matter of listening, identifying pain points and finding common ground.

    By • March 1, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Michael Lubelfeld, superintendent of North Shore School District 112 in Highland Park, Illinois.
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    Permission granted by Michael Lubelfeld
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: How a suburban Illinois district revisited safety after tragedy

    Following an Independence Day parade mass shooting, Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld began his district’s response with community engagement.

    By • Jan. 26, 2023
  • A face clock sits next to a pile of books on a stand alone desk in a classroom.
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    Getty Images
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: 5 key takeaways from a year of school leader conversations

    In case you missed any of 2022’s installments, we’ve highlighted some leading insights on student voice, community engagement and more.

    By • Jan. 3, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Quincy Natay, superintendent of Chinle Unified School District in Arizona.
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    Permission granted by Chinle Unified School District
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: What’s it like leading a district accountable to federal, state and tribal law?

    With a deep understanding of challenges facing tribal families, Quincy Natay has raised standards and achievement in Chinle Unified School District.

    By • Nov. 30, 2022
  • This is a headshot of Ted McCarthy, principal of Sutton High School in Massachusetts.
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    Permission granted by Ted McCarthy
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    Q&A // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: How a principal raised student voice to build ‘Connections’ across New England

    During his 10 years leading Massachusetts’ Sutton High School, Ted McCarthy has focused on pushing student and teacher input to the forefront.

    By • Oct. 26, 2022
  • This is a headshot of Aaron Spence, superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
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    Permission granted by Virginia Beach City Public Schools
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: How Virginia Beach prioritizes communication, military community engagement

    As a homegrown leader, Superintendent Aaron Spence also brings outside perspective from leadership stints in Texas and North Carolina to his district.

    By • Sept. 28, 2022
  • A headshot of Rick Surrency, superintendent of Putnam County School District in Florida.
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    Permission granted by Putnam County School District
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: Florida superintendent shares takeaways from Finnish schools

    During a cultural exchange trip, Putnam County School District Superintendent Rick Surrency gained insight on playtime, standardized testing and more.

    By • Sept. 6, 2022
  • Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa engaging the school community during the COVID-19 pandemic
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    Permission granted by Dallas Independent School District
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    Q&A // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    Lessons In Leadership: Dallas superintendent reflects on wins, challenges ahead of second retirement

    Michael Hinojosa shared how he's navigated sometimes tense relationships with lawmakers, the importance of succession planning and more.

    By • May 19, 2022