December 20, 2021
AASA, the School Superintendents Association, announced Wentzville School District Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain among the four finalists for the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year®.
This distinction honors school system leaders throughout the country who are making a positive difference in the lives of the students they serve, in addition to ensuring the safety and wellness of their school communities.
Co-sponsored by AASA, AIG Retirement Services and First Student, the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year® will be announced during AASA’s National Conference on Education, Feb. 17, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
“AIG Retirement Services offers congratulations to the National Superintendent of the Year® finalists, and we thank them for their dedication to students, school employees and community,” said Rob Scheinerman, chief executive officer, AIG Retirement Services. “Educating our children remains a top priority for the country so we need our schools to be a source of both inspiration and stability, and these four exceptional individuals are leading the way. We commend them for their commitment to equity, innovation and improvement.”
“During extraordinary times, it takes a certain type of leader to oversee a school system. These four superintendents represent the hallmark in education excellence, which is why we are so proud to congratulate them,” said Paul G. Osland, president, First Student. “On behalf of the five million student passengers we transport to and from school every day, we thank the finalists for the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year® for the exemplary work they are doing. We are honored to partner with AASA to celebrate the profound contributions these four leaders are making to help create positive pathways for students.”
“Our finalists for the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year® are bold, innovative and future-driven educators who are working diligently to ensure student success in the communities they represent,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “The champions for children we are honoring know that the one-size-fits-all approach to education is not an option. We are grateful to AIG Retirement Services and First Student for supporting our program.”
The National Superintendent of the Year® finalists will have an opportunity to meet the national education community during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 13, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The briefing will begin at 3:00 p.m. (ET).
The National Superintendent of the Year® program, now in its 35th year, is open to all U.S. superintendents who plan to continue in the profession. The program also honors international school superintendents. The applicants were measured against the following criteria:
- Leadership for learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in the school system
- Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication
- Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team
- Community involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues
A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year® to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated, or the school now serving the same area.
For more information about the program, contact Jennifer Rooney, AASA director, meetings and awards, at jrooney@aasa.org.
Click here to access a list of the AASA 2022 State Superintendents of the Year.
