On the Front Lines: Where Superintendents Truly Lead

People often think being a Superintendent of Schools means sitting in meetings, signing papers, and making speeches. Sure, that’s part of it. But the real work — the kind that shapes communities and changes lives — happens far away from boardrooms and offices.

It happens on the front lines.

When I was a Superintendent, I learned quickly that the job wasn’t about authority — it was about presence. It was about showing up at 6:30 a.m. when the boilers broke down and classrooms were 50 degrees. It was about standing in the pouring rain with a crossing guard because you wanted to see how the traffic flow really worked. It was about being in the cafeteria on chicken nugget day and watching which kids tried to hide their lunch debt.

Those moments — not the policy memos or the PowerPoints — are where leadership truly lives.

I’ve walked hallways with teachers who hadn’t had a prep period in days. I’ve sat with principals who were trying to hold their schools together through tragedy. I’ve met with parents who didn’t want to argue — they just wanted someone to listen. And every time I stepped into those spaces, I was reminded that this job isn’t about running a district; it’s about serving one.

When you’re on the front lines, you see everything differently. Numbers on a spreadsheet become kids’ faces. Policy decisions suddenly have names attached to them. You realize that “budget cuts” aren’t abstract — they’re the programs that keep a struggling student coming to school.

I never wanted to lead from behind a desk. I wanted to lead from the hallways, from the bleachers, from the bus loop, from wherever the pulse of the district was strongest. Because when people see you there — not as “the boss,” but as part of the team — that’s when trust takes root.

Leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. And in a time when education feels more chaotic and political than ever, our staff, students, and communities need leaders who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and stand right there in the thick of it.

That’s the job. That’s the calling. That’s the front line.