Navigating the Superintendency
Lessons from the Field on Increasing Longevity and Success
Published on 28. May 2026
Book
Hardback
152 pages
978-1-4758-7528-7 (ISBN)
Description
Navigating the Superintendency: Lessons from the Field on Increasing Longevity and Success addresses the increasing challenges of the superintendency amid heightened accountability and leadership instability. Drawing on interviews with eighteen seasoned superintendents and leadership professionals, this book offers evidence-based lessons and strategies that promote success in the field. Designed for not only new and seasoned superintendents, professors and aspiring leaders in preparation programs will also find value from the insights and resources. The authors share practical, research-informed guidance to enhance leadership effectiveness, support longevity, and strengthen service to students, staff, and communities.
Reviews / Votes
This is a must-read for current superintendents or anyone who one day would like to step into that seat. I love the fact that it highlights everything from establishing relationships with board members, to navigating employee issues, to managing a budget, to the day-to-day complex decision making that defines the superintendency. To use an analogy from my coaching days, this is the playbook you should follow. -- Dr. Walter Gonsoulin * 2025 AASA National Superintendent of the Year * Derrick Jordan and Dionne McLaughlin's book is a poignant reminder that while knowledge from college course lectures and in-box simulations are important preparation activities for future superintendents, wisdom gained from actual practice is much scarcer and always in short supply. They also are mindful that experience alone is no guarantee that next time better decisions will be made. That only happens when there is reflection, self-examination, and listening to critical friends. The authors are experienced former school administrators with humor, grace, and bruises to qualify as seasoned models and mentors. Their voices have authority, credibility and humility. With them you will always be in good company. -- Fenwick W. English * professor and Associate Dean, College of Education, Florida Gulf Coast University * Jordan and McLaughlin provide a comprehensive and accessible guidebook for anyone aspiring to the superintendency - or who already is a superintendent. The honest portrayal of the challenges - and opportunities - facing district leaders makes this a must have for both public school leaders and those preparing them in higher education. This book will help students of educational leadership understand the complexities of district leadership and will help aspiring or current superintendents to make sense of it all. Ultimately, this book will help educational leaders support and advance their students and school communities. -- Dr. Monica Byrne-Jimenez * Executive Director, University Council for Educational Administration *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
2 b/w figures, 24 textboxes
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
381 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4758-7528-7 (9781475875287)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Derrick D. Jordan served as a school district superintendent for nearly a decade and now serves as Associate State Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Clinical Associate Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill. A published author and active contributor to national accreditation and editorial boards, he holds degrees from North Carolina Central University, East Carolina University, and UNC-CH, where he was elected by the graduate faculty as a Jackson Scholar.
Dionne V. McLaughlin is an Associate Professor (tenured) at North Carolina Central University and a British-born Black Jamaican American educator with experience as a bilingual elementary and high school principal. She holds degrees from Harvard and UNC-Chapel Hill, is the author of two books on school leadership, and has presented at national conferences and in school districts across several states.
Dionne V. McLaughlin is an Associate Professor (tenured) at North Carolina Central University and a British-born Black Jamaican American educator with experience as a bilingual elementary and high school principal. She holds degrees from Harvard and UNC-Chapel Hill, is the author of two books on school leadership, and has presented at national conferences and in school districts across several states.
Content
Acknowledgments
Preface
Foreword
Chapter 1: Drinking from a Firehose
Chapter 2: It Is a People Business. It Always Has Been and Always Will Be.
Chapter 3: If You Don't Navigate Your School Board Successfully, They Won't Let You Last
Chapter 4: Reversing the Course: Leading High Achieving Districts Where Students of Color Are Successful
Chapter 5: It Did Not Get This Bad Overnight.
Chapter 6: Making Better Decisions: How Superintendents Resolve Complex Matters
Chapter 7: You've Got to Keep the Job to Do the Job
Appendix A: Superintendent Study Interview Questions
Appendix B: Potential Case Resolutions and Condsiderations
Resources
References
Glossary
About the Authors
Preface
Foreword
Chapter 1: Drinking from a Firehose
Chapter 2: It Is a People Business. It Always Has Been and Always Will Be.
Chapter 3: If You Don't Navigate Your School Board Successfully, They Won't Let You Last
Chapter 4: Reversing the Course: Leading High Achieving Districts Where Students of Color Are Successful
Chapter 5: It Did Not Get This Bad Overnight.
Chapter 6: Making Better Decisions: How Superintendents Resolve Complex Matters
Chapter 7: You've Got to Keep the Job to Do the Job
Appendix A: Superintendent Study Interview Questions
Appendix B: Potential Case Resolutions and Condsiderations
Resources
References
Glossary
About the Authors