萝莉网

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE

With the decline in birth rates in many regions of our great nation, many superintendents and school boards are wrestling with the impact and leading their communities through challenging conversations.

As public school leaders, our tenure is often defined by leadership during difficult times. Never has that been truer than in the recent past. These last few years have demonstrated that we are not always in control of our circumstances. However, it is how we respond to challenging circumstances that defines us as leaders.

I鈥檓 filled with hope as I watch each of you lead your schools and communities from the front lines, and I鈥檓 inspired in my work because of what I have seen from all of you.

Community Conversations

As many of you have heard me say, 鈥渃ommunity context matters.鈥� The community will live beyond our time as school district leaders. Engaging with the community to navigate challenging questions and problems is critical because of the long-lasting, widespread effects on the future of the communities we serve.

How do we engage our communities to see a future that is brighter than today? We do so by being intentional, strategic and honest in our conversations. All over the country, I see superintendents working in partnership with their school boards, business leaders, realtors, elected officials, the faith community and others to make public education even better and, in the process, make the community even stronger.

Being an effective communicator is not difficult or complex, but it does require clear and concise information that is free of the jargon educators often use. Plain language, or what I call 鈥渘on-educationese,鈥� is language that all stakeholders in a community can understand. Being an effective communicator is a superpower that is harnessed through clear, consistent and transparent leadership that aligns your actions with your words.

Too often, leaders assume everyone understands why a topic is being raised. Please don鈥檛 make that assumption. Be specific about why there is a need for a community conversation around a given topic. When people understand and internalize the why, they are more likely to accept a decision, even if they may not support it.

Authentic community engagement is imperative during challenging times, and you should demonstrate that every day. Your openness, empathy and willingness to lead in a way that builds trust and fosters a sense of inclusion and purpose is impressive. Your authenticity moves communication from simply delivering information to inspiring action, reinforcing values and sustaining momentum, even through the strongest of storms.

萝莉网Resources

I know you join me in being committed to providing the best possible education for every child who walks through your schoolhouse doors, regardless of the shifting landscape around us.

That鈥檚 what the Public Education Promise is all about. It鈥檚 AASA鈥檚 future-ready framework for public schools grounded in the realities of best practice.

One of the five core principles of the Public Education Promise is to build highly engaged family, community and business partnerships. This principle is focused on ensuring the entire community is engaged in developing our children for their futures.

Schools should not be expected to do it alone. It requires parents, teachers, administrators and community-based organizations working together to ensure children have a safe upbringing and access to opportunities that prepare them for their tomorrows.

萝莉网offers several programs to support leaders in enhancing their communication and engagement abilities.

Our Leadership in School Communication Program, facilitated in partnership with the National School Public Relations Association, equips superintendents and communications teams with effective strategies and best practices that strengthen communication across their school district.

Our Authentic Family Engagement Certification Program supports leaders in transforming family engagement from an activity to a core value, demonstrating how colleagues have engaged parents in becoming true partners in their child鈥檚 education journey.

As you navigate big changes in your community, keep in mind that even when storm clouds bring rain, rain helps grass to grow, flowers to bloom and nature to thrive long after the storm has passed. Continue to keep doing well by our students, their families and your communities. Your leadership is greatly appreciated.

Be well, my colleagues and friends!

David Schuler is 萝莉网executive director. Twitter: