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for women who are already ‘filling
the seat.’ “
The concept of the institute
had humble beginnings as
Collins and Harrison-Williams
submitted a proposal to do a 55-
minute presentation at the
NABSE Conference. The
response was overwhelming and
the presentation grew the next
year to a half day, then a full day.
Even that was not enough to
quench the thirst for knowledge
and information.
“We realized there was a void
out there and we knew we had to
do something more because
there just is not enough support
to fill the need,” Harrison-
Williams said. So the idea for the
three-day institute in Illinois was
born. They received twice as
many applications as the 35 slots
they had available. They
increased the number of slots to
40 and still have not been able to meet the demand.
Though the institute is sponsored by NABSE and the
focus is on African American superintendents, each
year the attendees have included other minorities
and Caucasians.
The support does not end when the institute
draws to a close. Attendees are guaranteed a sitting
superintendent as a
mentor for at least a year.
The goal is not just to
produce superintendents,
but to give them the tools
and support to be
successful.
“I gained knowledge
on interviewing skills,
effective leadership skills,
and learned strategies to
achieve the position of
superintendent. I also
gained knowledge and a
clear vision of the
expectations of becoming
a superintendent,” said
April C. Davis, a principal
at Diekman Elementary School in Calumet City, a
2014 attendee who is exploring doctoral programs
and continuing to attend workshops and conferences.
“My goal is to become better prepared for the role of
superintendent when I am afforded that opportunity.”
Another 2014 attendee, Dr. Sophia Jones-
Redmond, is Director of Special Services for the
Harvey School District. She said she continues to
reflect on what she learned last summer.
“The institute was the best professional
development I have ever received,” Jones-Redmond
said. “I left with a regained sense of confidence and
tenacity. I also left with
support from my peers
and a year of
mentorship from a
serving
superintendent. I can
call her at any time
and this was the
biggest gift of all.”
She characterized the
three days as “lovely
and kind – yet totally
about the business of
making sure we left
the institute prepared
in all areas.” She said
the session on
resumes was
especially impactful as she learned how to condense
her nine-page resume into a document that would
have a better chance of getting fully reviewed.
“My resume is now two pages and I have had
(Continued on page 8)
“The institute was the best
professional development I have
ever received. I left with a
regained sense of confidence
and tenacity. I also left with
support from my peers and a
year of mentorship from a
serving superintendent. I can
call her at any time and this was the biggest gift
of all.”
-- Harvey School District Director of Special Services
Dr. Sophia Jones-Redmond, a 2014 attendee of the
Institute