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Certification
AASA National Superintendent Certification Program®
Through our in-depth curriculum, dynamic in-person and virtual sessions, one-on-one mentoring, Capstone Project, and long-term professional networks, the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program® delivers the comprehensive leadership development superintendent leaders need.
Our program focuses on key issues:
- Transformational Leadership and Visioning
- Understanding and Developing Effective Board-Superintendent Relations Including Legal Matters
- Understanding and Ensuring Equity
- Navigating Community, State and National Politics
- The Impact of Economic Pressures, Budgeting and the Global Pandemic
- Effective Instructional Leadership and Continuous School and System Improvement
- Impactful and Effective Communications including Social Media for All Stakeholders
- Serving Effectively as CEO and Education Leader in the District and Community
Certification programs are offered in the Midwest, East, and West each year and superintendents from any part of the country are welcome to apply for any of the three offerings! Please see the "Frequently Asked Questions" section below for additional information.
Applications are now being accepted for the West 2025 cohort!


Program Details
The AASA National Superintendent Certification Program® includes nationally recognized leaders, current and former superintendents as the lead educators, content experts and mentors. The current faculty include:
David Schuler, Executive Director, AASA, The School Superintendents Association
Mort Sherman, Senior Associate Executive Director, Leadership Network, AASA, The School Superintendents Association
Valerie Truesdale, Assistant Executive Director, Leadership Network, AASA, The School Superintendents Association
Amy Sichel, Lead Superintendent, AASA National Superintendent Certification Program® & Superintendent (ret) Abington School District (PA), AASA Past President
Sheldon Berman, Superintendent (ret.), Andover, MA
Elie Brady, Superintendent, Portsmouth Public Schools, VA
Yvonne Brandon, Superintendent (ret), Richmond (VA) Public Schools
Shari Camhi, Superintendent, Baldwin Union Free School District (NY), AASA President
Nicholas Clement, Superintendent (ret), Flowing Wells (AZ) School District
Robert Copeland, Superintendent (ret) Lower Merion School District (PA)
Gladys Cruz, Superintendent, BOCES (NY) , AASA Presiden-Elect
Susan Enfield, Superintendent, Highline (WA) Public Schools
Chris Gaines, Superintendent, Mehlville School District (MO), AASA Past President
Thomas Gentzel, former Executive Director, National School Boards Association
Patricia Greco, Superintendent (ret), School District of Menomonee Falls (WI)
Lupita Hightower, Superintendent, Tolleson Elementary (AZ) School District
Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent, Dallas (TX) Independent School District
Paul Imhoff, Superintendent , Upper Arlington (OH), AASA Past President
Keith Krueger, Executive Director, Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
Ann McMullan Lead Consultant for Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
Steve Murley, Superintendent, Iowa City (IA) Community School District
Noelle Ellerson Ng, Associate Executive Director, Advocacy and Governance, AASA
Sasha Pudelski, Advocacy Director, AASA
Carla Santorno, Superintendent (ret) Tacoma Public Schools (WA)
Aaron Spence, Superintendent, Virginia Beach (VA) City Public Schools
Brian Troop, Superintendent, Ephrata Area School District, (PA)
Cheryl Woodshouse, Chief Human Resources Officer, Virginia Beach (VA) City Public Schools
Bridget Weiss, Superintendent, Juneau School District (AK)
The AASA National Superintendent Certification Program® Curriculum includes in-depth investigation through real-world case studies and current issues and events. Each cohort will focus on the following key topics:
- Gathering the Group and Building Community
- Ethics and Professional Norms for Superintendents Serving Students of Today and Tomorrow
- Promoting Equity and Cultural Responsiveness: Building a Shared Vision of Student Achievement and Well Being
- A Vision for Educational Leadership
- Superintendent and Board Relations, Policies, and Procedures
- The Superintendent and the District’s Communication Plan
- Organizational Culture Building: Promoting a Shared Vision for Quality Teaching and Learning
- Engaging Families, Businesses, Government Agencies, and the Community
- The Superintendent as the Instructional Leader: Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction for a Future Ready Environment
- The Role of the Superintendent in Promoting the School and System Improvement Process
- Addressing Social Emotional and Academic Learning; Building a Community of Care and Support for All Students
- Operations and Management
- Legislative Advocacy and Culminating Capstone Projects
- Putting it All Together: Culminating Capstone Projects, Reflections, and Graduation
Bringing the Network to your Doorstep!
To meet the needs of district leaders across the country, AASA partners with several state affiliate organizations to bring the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program® to you! In addition to the nationwide offerings of this program, AASA also offers a:
- Minnesota Cohort in collaboration with Minnesota Association of School Administrators
- Pennsylvania Cohort in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators
Interested in collaborating on an AASA National Superintendent Certification Program®? Contact Amy Sichel, AASA Lead Superintendent.