LM March 2018

Women inLeadershipMonth Celebrating Women Leaders: Learning, Leading, Living By Dr. Courtney Orzel Superintendent, Lemont-Bromberek SD #113A

Women superintendents are special, different and unique. March is National Women’s History Month, which gives us a perfect opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our female leaders in Illinois. In this month’s issue, we highlight the accomplishments of female leaders and learn more about the challenges and opportunities that exist for females in the superintendency. Of our nation’s approximately 13,600 superintendents, only 27 percent are female, yet women make up 77 percent of teachers, according to the most recent data available from the American Association of School Administrators and

National Center for Education Statistics. As a result, we have a great responsibility to support, encourage and empower female leaders to strive to be superintendents, and, once they are in the field, keep them in their role. And at the same time, the startling statistics of few female superintendents call upon all of us in the field to explore the unique challenges and obstacles that women superintendents face. Our female superintendents in Illinois are a dynamic, accomplished group of leaders who all deserve special recognition, and in this month’s issue of Leadership

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