President's Corner
Caring for All
BY PAUL W. IMHOFF/School Administrator, December 2021


DECEMBER IS A MONTH of celebration. We celebrate the beauty of the winter season and look forward to 2022 and its hope for brighter days ahead. As we bring 2021 to a close, we will continue to use the lessons we learned during the pandemic to improve the educational experience for each student in our care.

Young people aren’t the only ones who look to us for growth and development. As this issue of School Administrator demonstrates, adult learning by professionals is critical as we move past the pandemic and focus on the continuous improvement of our schools. The many facets of adult learning are reflected in the variety of topics addressed in these pages, including coaching, mentoring, building capacity and leading staff. I am sure you will find valuable tools, resources, strategies and insight to help you develop your leadership skills.

The challenges of being a public school leader never have been greater, but the fundamentals of great leadership have not changed. Authentic leadership always begins with a servant’s heart and a true commitment to each person we serve.

Recently, I had the honor of attending a book launch celebrating Jim Mahoney and his new book, To Lead Is To Teach: Stories and Strategies from the Classroom to the Boardroom. Mahoney shares lessons learned from his decades-long career in public education to give meaningful and timely advice to leaders in our profession. He highlights the importance of building relationships, communicating and taking care of others.

Superintendent collaboration throughout the pandemic has been on display across the country. It has been a great example of leaders modeling a culture of continuous improvement and a commitment to learning. As superintendents, we have the responsibility to lead by example and we have an opportunity to demonstrate that leadership and teaching are not individual activities but rather team efforts.

I have been inspired by superintendents across the country locking arms to support one another and those they serve throughout this pandemic. Superintendents have tended to the physical, mental, social and emotional well-being of their teams so their staff colleagues can focus on the well-being of students.

We all know students who aren’t well can’t learn, and teachers who aren’t well can’t teach. But we also know that leaders who aren’t well can’t lead. I encourage all leaders to continue to practice soul care (self-care) and make time for those activities that bring light and energy into their day, whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, dinner with friends and family or 30 minutes with a good book.

Also, continue to stand together with your colleagues, support one another and ask for help when you need it. Superintendents always are ready to help their fellow leaders.

It is a great privilege to serve as a superintendent in a public school system, and with that privilege comes great responsibility. As we ring in 2022, let’s recommit ourselves to the children and adults in our care and attend carefully to the learning of both groups. Let’s continue to use our voices to remind everyone in our communities and beyond that public schools are a place where everyone is welcomed, embraced and loved.

Finally, I want to extend my best wishes to all of you for a happy new year. As we transition into 2022, know that endless opportunities are ahead. Thank you for leading during the most difficult of times, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to doing what’s best for the students and adults you serve.
PAUL IMHOFF is AASA president in 2021-22. Twitter: @imhoffpaul