Although the sun never really sets on the school district administrator’s work or world, summer is a nice time for reflection and thinking as the stress levels are somewhat reduced and the work load is more project based than people based. Many people ask me “what do you do for a living?”, “what does a superintendent really do anyway?”, etc. For many years I have been a “12 month administrator”; a full year employee like many/most in the private and non-education public sectors. I work whether students and staff are present – or not.

My summer work revolves around “on-boarding” new administrators and leaders in new formal positions. It also revolves around supporting and serving the leaders of professional development and training in the district. I also indirectly oversee the myriad of construction/maintenance projects at all seven district sites. My summer work involves all of the elements of my school year work – just without the 3,500 or so people with whom we interact during the school year.

My summer work also allows me to think, “recharge”, seek out professional growth and learning and ways I can refine and improve my own personal and professional leadership. I can read those leadership journal articles that have been filling my inbox and piling up on my desk. I can read other leaders blogs so I can make my blog better and more relevant. I can participate in Twitter Chats with other leaders and educators around the nation and world to increase my knowledge of current practices and research in real time.

I can also plan in the summer, individually, with other leaders, with the Executive Leadership Team in my district, with neighboring superintendents – all with the intention of refining our collective practice, the individual practice of leaders with whom I work and have the privilege of professionally evaluating, and with “the system” itself. During the summer I also review student achievement data, growth, learning, achievement, attendance, state reports, etc.

Summer is a time for reflective thinking, reflective growth, reflective planning and a re-evaluation of mission/vision/goals/priorities and plans. While I love the warm weather and the red light “not” blinking on my phone, I use summer as a bridge from one school year to another! For, in a few short weeks, I get the honor of bringing together hundreds of educators, leaders, students, etc. as we open up for another school year!

I guess I can say I’m a “school geek” so to speak in that I truly love to facilitate learning on a grand scale! While at times I do miss the classroom and the 8th grade social studies I loved to teach, administration allows me and the wonderful team with whom I work the chance to support learning for thousands of learners!

In summer I give great thanks for the honor of working in education, educational leadership, community leadership, support, service, growth, learning, … all under the umbrella of our motto: Engage, Inspire, Empower!

I hope you enjoy summer too – for before we all know it we’ll be back at school year work- fall and the back-to-school season is just around the corner!

How do you spend your summer?

On what do you reflect in the summer?

How does summer break help to make you a better educator?

Are there any books you recommend others read to sharpen the saw?