AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year®. This distinction honors school system leaders throughout the country who are making a positive difference in the lives of the students they serve.
Co-sponsored by AASA, AIG Retirement Services and First Student, the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year® will be announced during AASA’s National Conference on Education, Feb. 13-15, 2020, in San Diego, Calif.
The four finalists for the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year® are:
- Gustavo Balderas, Eugene School District 4J, Eugene, Ore.
- Samantha Fuhrey, Newton County School System, Covington, Ga.
- Michael Nagler, Mineola Public Schools, Mineola, N.Y.
- Jeffery Smith, Hampton City Schools, Hampton, Va.
“It’s an honor to congratulate these four superintendents who mean so much to the school districts and communities they serve,” said Rob Scheinerman, CEO of AIG Retirement Services. “These outstanding educators share a passion for students and have helped thousands of children realize their potential. AIG Retirement Services is proud to co-sponsor this program as we pay tribute to school district leadership.”
“These four superintendents represent the gold standard in leadership, excellence in public education and raising the academic standards in our country,” said Paul G. Osland, president, First Student. “On behalf of the five million passengers we transport to and from school every day, we congratulate the finalists for the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year®. We are honored to partner with AASA to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of these four leaders as they help shape our tomorrow.”
“This announcement represents an opportunity for AASA to recognize the tremendous work and outstanding leadership carried out by four ambassadors of public education who I would refer to as ‘champions for children,’” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “The National Superintendent of the Year® program celebrates both these education thought leaders and the critical role public education plays in our society. We are grateful to AIG Retirement Services and First Student for supporting our program.”
The National Superintendent of the Year® finalists will have an opportunity to meet the national education community during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 9, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The briefing will begin at 3:00 p.m. (ET).The National Superintendent of the Year® program, now in its 33rd year, is open to all U.S. superintendents who plan to continue in the profession. The program also honors international school superintendents. The applicants were measured against the following criteria:
- Leadership for learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in the school system
- Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication
- Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team
- Community involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues
A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year® to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated, or the school now serving the same area.
For more information about the program, contact Jennifer Rooney, AASA director, meetings and awards, at jrooney@aasa.org.
Click here to access a list of the AASA 2020 State Superintendents of the Year.