Public schools are now the “frontline of America’s intensifying cultural and political conflicts,” and many superintendents find themselves unprepared for this new level of engagement.
In my conversation with Dr. Carl Cohn, former superintendent in Long Beach and San Diego, McGraw Prize winner, and elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, we explored how the very nature of educational leadership has fundamentally changed.
Dr. Cohn’s work with the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) and the Hewlett Foundation underscores what today’s leaders must embrace.
3 Key Shifts for Leaders to Pay Attention To:
1. 🏛️ From Instructional to Civic & Political Leadership Superintendents are no longer just instructional leaders. They must engage with communities, anticipate political dynamics, and navigate the rise of partisan school board elections.
2. 🌍 Navigating the “National Culture Wars Brought Local” Issues once confined to Washington now shape local boardrooms. Leaders must engage with diverse groups, including faith communities.
3. 📚 Equity as Action Equity isn’t about slogans. It’s about interventions that guarantee success for every child. That means investing in early education, providing summer enrichment, and ensuring no student falls through the cracks.
Dr. Cohn and his Harvard colleague have developed The Superintendent’s Political Leadership Fieldbook. a practical guide for navigating these realities.
As he reminds us, an imperfect leader accepts limitations but strives to do meaningful work, learning from mistakes and staying focused on the greater good.
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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/
YouTube (video of conversation):
https://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader
Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:
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Superintendent Support Reimagined!
Zach Taylor and I are creating a reflective, virtual Community of Practice designed exclusively for Superintendents and Senior District Leaders. While calling it An Imperfect Leadership Community of Practice makes sense, I keep advocating for Talk Supt 🙂. Want to learn more? Check out our video here 👇 or visit:
https://imperfectleader.com/imperfect-leadership-community-of-practice/
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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.
Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.
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Go to overyondr.com to learn more.
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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com.
Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.
Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.