Superintendents are the primary administrators, relationship builders and advocates for their school districts. Essentially, their roles are like that of a CEO for a large corporation. If there is an important personnel, business or curricular decision to be made, the superintendent will most certainly be involved. School districts require strong and effective leadership from their superintendents to achieve success.
What Do Superintendents Do?
The role of superintendent is a rewarding but challenging position that requires exceptional leadership and communication skills. These professionals should understand and embrace the value of relationship building, as developing strong partnerships within the schools and the community will be instrumental to the overall success of the district. Acting as the primary liaison between school personnel and the school board is a superintendent’s main responsibility.
According to an article published at ThoughtCo, the “superintendent is responsible for keeping the board informed of events and happenings in the district and also making recommendations about daily operations for the district.”
Superintendents also handle the following duties:
- Manage the finances and daily operations of the district
- Evaluate and make employment decisions on principals and other district employees
- Advocate and lobby on behalf of the district
How to Become a Superintendent in Texas
Individuals who aspire to the role of superintendent typically start their careers in the classroom. Once they’ve gained the unique experience that comes with working as a teacher, professionals can then transition into the school principal’s role. As a principal, the individual would fulfill the day-to-day responsibilities of a school administrator. It’s a direct plan for advancement: learn to effectively manage a classroom, apply those same skills to managing an entire school, and eventually, move into a position overseeing an entire district.
To complete those steps, aspiring superintendents will need an educational experience to develop the necessary skills for the role and be prepared for the state certification exam. Lamar University’s Program Certification in Superintendent Education online can help candidates meet the Texas Education Agency (TEA) four requirements for becoming a superintendent in Texas:
- Hold a master’s degree from an accredited university
- Hold a Principal certificate (or equivalent) from the TEA
- Complete a Superintendent Certificate application and a Superintendent Preparation program
- Pass the state superintendent examination
Serving Your Community and Improving Learning Outcomes
Without a doubt, the most important reason to pursue a career as a school superintendent is the potential impact these valued administrators can have on schools, students and the community. Superintendents set the tone for the entire district. As a result, there are very few decisions or policies that the superintendent does not directly impact. Some of the many ways in which superintendents can improve learning outcomes and promote academic success on a district-wide scale include:
- Writing new or revising old district policies
- Evaluating the district and seeking areas for improvement
- Ensuring that curriculum meets state and national standards
- Tracking teacher and student data
- Building relationships with politicians, the media or other school districts/superintendents
Increased Earning Potential
It takes years of amassing relevant experiences and education to become a superintendent, but the results are certainly worth it. In addition to playing a vital role in shaping their communities, school districts place a high value on these professionals. Texas superintendents earn an average yearly salary of $162,975. Plus, the top ten yearly salaries for Texas superintendents range from $381,315 (Alief ISD, Harris County) to $708,824 (Burkburnett ISD, Wichita County). Of course, this is not to suggest that anyone should pursue a career as a superintendent simply for the lucrative pay. However, there is reassurance that those who make it to this position will eventually recoup all resources devoted to such a pursuit.
The value of a skilled superintendent cannot be overstated. As schools continue to help students manage their academics after over a year of isolation and distance learning, they’ll need strong leadership at the district level. Lamar University’s Program Certificate in Superintendent Education is the ideal academic path for working administrators who want to elevate their career prospects and lead their districts to new heights.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online Program Certificate in Superintendent Education.
Sources:
Salary.com: School Superintendent Salary in Texas
Texas Education Agency: Becoming a Principal or Superintendent in Texas
Texas Public Policy Foundation: How Much Does Texas’ Top Superintendent Make?
ThoughtCo: Examining the Role of an Effective School Superintendent
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