Shout Out to Our Superintendents

Sometimes being a school leader can be a Dirty Job

Mike Rowe hosted a show a few years ago called “Dirty Jobs.”  As part of the show Mike performed some of the most difficult, strange, disgusting and messy occupational duties alongside typical workers, also known as “thankless jobs.”  I think the reason for this show was so that we would better appreciate some of the jobs that people have to do so that we can enjoy the conveniences of the lives we live.  I know my eyes were opened by more than one episode of this show and I hope that I gained a better appreciation for the work done by people I took for granted.  Though it never aired on Dirty Jobs, I think the job of school superintendent may be one of those under-appreciated jobs and I wanted to take a moment to offer a shout out to the hard-working, highly-educated professionals who are on the frontlines of the war against the Coronavirus.

Please know that this post does not discount the hard work and the underappreciated efforts of other educators and educational support staff workers.  As a school board member, former superintendent, principal, and teacher I know and understand all the jobs and roles people working in the school play and how important each and every one of those jobs are to the well-being of students and I appreciate all that they do, but rarely do we ever give credit to superintendents.  Now that I no longer serve as one I think I can offer up my “shout out” to those with whom I served alongside for ten years for all their hard work and the dirty jobs they have to perform.

While the working conditions do not usually involve masks, gloves, sludge, nasty substances, heat, cold, heights or tight spaces, the job of a superintendent, especially if done right, is very difficult.  There are no “easy” days and there was never a day when I came home feeling as though I “won.”  There were some days when I felt like I didn’t lose as bad as others, but almost every day brought a new challenge and no matter what I decided it seemed someone was upset with my decision.  Sometimes I would get beaten up in the newspaper, sometimes on social media, and occasionally on the phone or in a meeting, and in all cases I had to remain professional at all times and avoid reacting or retaliating against anyone.  A superintendent cannot have a “bad day” for he or she will be judged by something as simple as their posture.  It’s just a really hard job.

Some will say that’s why superintendents earn the “big bucks” but I think there are very few CEOs of privately owned companies who would want the responsibilities that come with being a superintendent for the pay that superintendents earn.  Good superintendents are typically on-site between 55-65 hours per week and must respond to email and calls at all hours of the day and night.  In my ten years as a superintendent or assistant superintendent my phone was never “off” even while on vacation.

Many of us who became superintendents did so because we wanted to have a bigger impact on our school and in the lives of our students.  We were not lured by the promise of big money because for the hours and the work it simply wasn’t.  In my case, though not aspiring to become an administrator, I felt as though I had received a “call” and that it was a moral imperative to fulfill the role of an administrator using my energy, experience, and expertise as an educator.  I loved leading other educators and working hard in the best interest of my students.  I know my superintendent friends feel the same way and I continue to be impressed by many of the superintendents I know who work tirelessly to do what is best for kids.  They don’t punch a clock or get overtime, and often what they have to do is not appreciated or recognized.  Many times it isn’t even known.

As these men and women make decisions about 2020-2021 school year, please remember they are doing the best they humanly can.  They are working with sets of facts which change regularly, if not daily, and at the end of the day are always trying to do what they believe to be best for kids.  Though I don’t look for Mike Rowe to be airing an episode on their work, it really is a tough job and these folks are deserving of our appreciation.  Thank you school superintendents!