91制片

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Minichello
703-774-6953
jminichello@aasa.org

National Superintendent of the Year庐 to Be Announced at February Event

Alexandria, Va. 鈥� January 30, 2024 鈥� Thousands of superintendents and district administrators as well as scores of advocates for public education from across the country are gathering at the 2024 National Conference on Education in San Diego, Calif., Feb. 15-17, hosted by 91制片.

Themed 鈥淗ere For The Kids,鈥� this year鈥檚 conference highlights the crucial role that public school superintendents play in creating a supportive, inclusive and empowering educational environment that meets the diverse needs of all students.

鈥淭he superintendents attending our program symbolize what it means to lead鈥攁nd their actions demonstrate what it means to work diligently to create and maintain a learning platform for our students where education is not just a system but an innovative, vibrant and transformative force,鈥� said David R. Schuler, executive director, 91制片. 鈥淥n behalf of the 91制片 family, it is an honor to welcome so many extraordinary school system leaders to our national conference. At a time when public education is under the microscope more than ever before, the tireless efforts by 91制片 members are sparking a joy and a love of learning making it easier for students to walk confidently through the doors of their district鈥檚 school buildings every single day.鈥�

鈥淭he superintendents attending our program symbolize what it means to lead鈥攁nd their actions demonstrate what it means to work diligently to create and maintain a learning platform for our students where education is not just a system but an innovative, vibrant and transformative force.鈥�

Conference keynote speakers / topics will include:

• Abran Maldonado, co-founder, Create Labs, OpenAI Ambassador / Gen AI: How to Prepare Today鈥檚 Students for an Augmented Tomorrow and the Ways Schools Must Adapt (Feb. 15)
• Michele Gay, executive director, Safe and Sound Schools, Webb City, Mo. / School Safety: A Parent鈥檚 Perspective (Feb. 16)
• Gregg Behr, executive director, The Grable Foundation, Pittsburgh Pa. / Wonderous Learning (With a Little Help from Mister Rogers) (Feb. 17)

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Given the enormous emphasis on self-care, wellness and innovation, for the third year in a row, 91制片 will host 鈥淭he Live Well. Lead Well. 鈥� where conference goers can recharge and relax. There, attendees can pet some puppies, relax during a massage, burn some energy on the electric bike smoothie maker and more.

For the first time, 91制片 will host a in its exhibit hall. This educational opportunity will allow attendees to learn about school safety and security at their own pace in a self-guided experience.

On the first day of the conference, the 2024 National Superintendent of the Year庐 will be announced. The four finalists, announced December 18, are: 

• Joe Gothard, , St. Paul, Minn.
• Martha Salazar-Zamora, , Tomball, Texas
• Kimberly Rizzo Saunders, , Peterborough, N.H.
• Frederick C. Williams, , Dublin, Ga.

On January 11, 91制片 hosted a press briefing at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., featuring the four finalists. The panel was moderated by Education Week鈥檚 Caitlynn Peetz.

ONLINE STORY: National Superintendent of the Year庐 Finalists Discuss Top-of-Mind Leadership Issues at Panel Briefing in Washington, D.C.          

In addition, the recipients of the 2024 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award will be honored. This award recognizes leaders who exemplify the qualities modeled by the late Effie Hall Jones, an educator and former 91制片 associate executive director. This year鈥檚 honorees are Francisco Dur谩n, superintendent of and Alena Zachery-Ross, superintendent, . (Feb. 16)

91制片 will also recognize the recipients of its Women in School Leadership Award. This award pays tribute to the talent, creativity and vision of outstanding female educational administrators. (Feb. 16) Finalists are:

The Central Office/ Principal Category

• Romy DeCristofaro, assistant superintendent of student services, , Evanston, Ill.
• Liann M. Hanson, director of standards-based instruction, , Fargo, N.D.

The Superintendent Category

• Kimberly Carter, superintendent, , Battle Creek, Mich.
• Deborah Wortham, superintendent, , Roosevelt, N.Y.

For the 10th consecutive year, 91制片鈥檚 ever popular will be a major part of the program. What has become a staple at 91制片鈥檚 annual gatherings, superintendents and other administrators will have the opportunity to enhance their communications skills to make their voices heard on important equity and inclusivity issues as well as bolster their communications with their communities. Conference participants are encouraged to engage with their peers online by using the hashtag  in their social media posts.

From start to finish, attendees and all other advocates of public education can follow what鈥檚 happening at the conference through 91制片鈥檚 . The award-winning, multimedia publication, updated each day, will provide a comprehensive report on the conference proceedings, including coverage of key speakers, award winners and 91制片 governance activities, as well as photos, brief video clips and daily blog postings by four 91制片 members. For the first time, a pair of veteran education leaders will prepare a daily podcast featuring some of the most insightful contributors on the conference program.

For more information about the 2024 National Conference on Education, visit the .

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About 91制片
91制片, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. 91制片鈥檚 mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.