Wayne Vickers, a superintendent for nearly two decades, has some advice for aspiring K12 leaders: avoid preconceived notions about the district or the community you’re going to serve.
“If you’re called to leadership, then you end up where you’re supposed to serve, and if you have the heart for service, you’re going ot end up in the right place,” Vickers tells host Amy Dujon on the latest episode of District Administration’s “A Good Lesson” podcast.
“If you’re a true leader, you are going to go and do great things no matter where you land,” he adds. “If you’re always waiting on the perfect situation, then maybe the superintendency is not for you.”
In 2013, Vickers became the founding superintendent of Alabama’s newly-formed Alabaster City Schools, which he calls “a full tapestry of America.” Before that, he led Saraland City Schools and Demopolis City Schools.
He also urges prospective superintendents to ensure their entire support group is behind them, and not to give up if they don’t get the first superintendency for which they apply—because they probably won’t.
Still, each interview with a school board can teach valuable lessons, such as asking the best questions is as important as having the right answers. “I always asked, ‘Why do you want me to come here to be your superintendent?” he notes. “I wanted to see if they’d done their homework.”
One more piece of advice: Look for posts where your skills match the work that needs to be done in the district. “That’s the alignment piece people forget about,” he adds.
“Leadership is not for the faint of heart, and what I want to tell young, aspiring superintendents is courage exists in any individual,” he attests. “Every day you show up for the students you serve, there’s no way failure can come into your world.”
Listen below:
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