Aspiring Superintendents Academy
TASA’s Aspiring Superintendents Academy was completely redesigned in 2020. With nearly 14 hours of content that focuses on both how to get the job and how to be successful in the job, plus more than 30 sitting superintendents and representatives from multiple search firms, the academy is always a must-attend for those who aspire to become superintendents. The next academy will be offered in conjunction with the 2023 TASA Midwinter Conference (over the course of the four-day conference).
About the Academy
Topics
During the Aspiring Superintendents Academy, you will cover:
- the calling of this work
- the path to the superintendency
- development of a resume and entry plan
- interview preparation
- navigating search firms
- navigating superintendent contracts
- governance and board relations
- thriving in the first year
Format
With presentations, discussions, and Q&A sessions with both new and seasoned superintendents, multiple presentations from the state’s leading search firms, along with hands-on activities around the content necessary for you to get and succeed in the job, an online repository of sample resumes, entry plans and resume questions, the academy is poised to provide aspiring superintendents with a one-of-a-kind experience that includes nearly 14 hours of professional learning in preparation for the superintendency.
Hear from these 25 Sitting Superintendents
Plus representatives from Arrow Educational Services, JG Consulting, Leasor Crass, N2 Learning, TASB ESS, and superintendent contract experts Cory Hartsfield and Mason Moses!
Academy Leader
Jill Siler
Jill Siler served as the superintendent of Gunter ISD from 2012 to 2021, when she joined the full-time TASA staff as deputy executive director, professional learning.
Prior to joining the TASA staff, she chaired TASA’s Future-Ready Superintendent Leadership Network (FRSLN) Design Team, which brings together innovative leaders from across the state to learn, share, and grow together. She was also a member of the TASA 2025 Task Force, which helped launch the redesign of this academy.
Jill has a passion for helping others reach their goals and has been a frequent speaker at TASA’s Aspiring Superintendent Academy and First-Time Superintendents Academy, as well as the Texas Council of Women School Executives (TCWSE) Annual Conference and other leadership conferences.
She published her first book in 2020, focused on thriving through the most difficult moments of leadership. Her writing and other resources helpful to aspiring leaders can be found at jillmsiler.com.
What They’re Saying About the Aspiring Superintendents Academy
The Aspiring Superintendents Academy was amazing! All of the presenters were spot on! It helped that they seemed to truly care about my progression into the role of a superintendent. I was able to reflect after the completion of each session and think about how it corresponded to what I needed to do to refine my skills as a leader and an aspiring superintendent. Dr. Siler and her team developed an academy that was relevant, engaging, and inspiring. If you want to serve as a superintendent this academy is a must!
Attending the Aspiring Superintendents Academy year after year allows me to see, hear, and imagine my potential and that of those in my networks for this type of service in education. Though I have no immediate plans to be a superintendent, I believe it’s wise to share a space with others who are actively pursuing it in order to grow leadership capacity, understanding, practices, and networks. Besides, where else do you have the opportunity to learn from this many superintendents in one room, right? This truly is a must-do at any point of your career. I cannot recommend it enough.
2023 Aspiring Superintendents Academy Sponsors
CPE Hours
The Aspiring Superintendents Academy offers nearly 14 hours of Continuing Professional Education credit.
