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Opposite: Superintendent Dr. Julie
Schmidt of Kildeer Countryside
CCSD #96 practices counting with
kindergarten student at Willow Grove
Early Learning Center in Buffalo Grove,
IL. She adopts a classroom in her
district and visits them every other
week during the school year.
continued next page...
Dr. Sheila Harrison Williams, Superintendent of Hazel Crest SD #152-5,
at school’s Veterans’ Day assembly with guest, Secretary of State Jesse White.
Schmidt observes a
6th grade pre-algebra
student’s “mathematical
thinking” during a visit to
Woodlawn Middle School
in Long Grove, IL.
Matters
, we honor and highlight our female superintendents
who serve on the IASA Board of Directors including: IASA
President-Elect,
Dr. Sheila Harrison-Williams
(Hazel Crest
SD #152-5), and IASA Board Members:
Dr. Judy Hackett
(Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization), IASA
Treasurer
Paula Hawley
(Pikeland CUSD #10),
Dr. Julie
Schmidt
(Kildeer Countryside CCSD #96),
Kim Schilson
(Illini West HS #307),
Victoria “Vickie” Tabbert
(Queen Bee
#16) and
Barb Thompson
(Fisher #1).
Underrepresentationof Women in the
Superintendency
Why do we have so few women superintendents in a female-
dominated profession?
Dr. Sheila Harrison-Williams
shares
her thoughts on this important topic and says, “Gender-role
stereotyping: regrettably, we are categorized from birth as to
what we can or should do as females. We are encouraged
to become teachers and discouraged to follow a leadership
path, and unfortunately we are sometimes discouraged by
other females. Another reason is lack of mobility. As women,
77% of U.S.
teachers are
women
TEACHERS
27% of U.S.
superintendents
are women
SUPERINTENDENTS
Recognizing the unique needs and
challenges faced by our female
superintendents is the first step in
taking action to bring programming
and support for their work leading
school districts. We’re committed to
it and look forward to opportunities
and implementation soon.
—Dr. Brent Clark, executive director, IASA