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Superintendent-Wise

Critical Lessons for Leading Your District

Explore actionable strategies to collaborate with school boards, foster excellence among staff, strengthen community relations, and implement proven turnaround strategies for struggling schools.

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Product Details
  • Grade Level: PreK-12
  • ISBN: 9781071913512
  • Published By: Corwin
  • Year: 2024
  • Page Count: 152
  • Publication date: November 11, 2024
Price: $24.95
Volume Discounts applied in Shopping Cart

Review Copies

Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.

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Description

Explore transformative insights from a celebrated educational leader.

In Superintendent-Wise, Michael Hinojosa, the acclaimed former superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District, shares invaluable lessons for education leaders in establishing systems that prioritize students' health, well-being, and academic success. This engaging and essential guide introduces the Success Triangle—a framework leaders can use to develop essential relationships and effectively manage their time.

The book offers actionable strategies for school leaders to collaborate with school boards, recognize and foster excellence among staff, strengthen community relations, build relationships with the media, and implement proven turnaround strategies for struggling schools. Additional features include:

  • “Big Idea” bullet lists capturing each chapter’s main takeaways
  • “Reflect and Act” exercises that support the implementation of strategies
  • Quick and practical “Pro Tips” drawn from the author’s extensive experience

Dr. Hinojosa’s decades of experience, pragmatic advice, and unique ability to cut through the noise offer crucial support for both new and current leaders, particularly in urban districts and high-needs communities.

Author(s)

Michael Hinojosa photo

Michael Hinojosa
Dr. Michael Hinojosa served more than twenty-seven years as a superintendent/ CEO of six public education systems, including two of the twenty-five largest school systems in the United States, Dallas Independent School District in Texas and the Cobb County School District in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. His career in public education, from teacher and coach to superintendent, spans more than four decades. He retired from the Dallas ISD in June 2022 after a long career in public education.

With a firm belief that education and not environment is the key to a student’s success, he has led several school districts to improved student achievement. Dr. Hinojosa’s recognitions include being named 2002 Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards and 2005 Superintendent of the Year by the University of Texas at Austin. He was honored as Distinguished Alumnus by the College of Education at Texas Tech University and as the Outstanding Latino Educator by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents in 2014.

In 2019, D Magazine named Dr. Hinojosa the “Best Public Official” in Dallas. The Council of the Great City Schools awarded him the Green-Garner Award, the highest honor in urban education, as the 2020 Urban Educator of the Year. Dr. Hinojosa is a recipient of the CoSN (Consortium for School Networking) and AASA (American Association of School Administrators) 2021 EmpowerED Digital Superintendent Award. In 2022 he received the Champion of Science and Medicine from the Dallas County Medical Society. He is also a past president of the Texas Association of School Administrators. He currently serves as Superintendent in Residence for both the Council of the Great City Schools and the Texas Urban Council.

Dr. Hinojosa, a proud graduate of Dallas ISD, holds a doctorate in education from the University of Texas at Austin. He has three sons, graduates of Texas Tech University, Harvard University, and Princeton University. All three attended Dallas ISD for a significant portion of their K–12 careers.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Importance of Board Relations

Chapter 2: Carefully Navigate the Waters of Media and Politics

Chapter 3: Nurture Excellence in Your Staff

Chapter 4: Build Community Relations and Performance Management

Chapter 5: Work Toward Academic Excellence

Chapter 6: Create a Culture of Efficiency through a High-Level View of Operations

Chapter 7: Cultivate all Endeavors on a Foundation of Ethics and Equity

Conclusion

Reviews

Quote by Jack Lowe Jr, President & board member, DISD: Michael Hinojosa’s leadership of Dallas Independent School District (DISD) brought the board, the staff, and the community together around his vision for a high performing urban, low income, school district in Dallas. Then he led that district to accomplish what most thought was not possible – DISD was transformed to a high performing school system.
Michael Hinojosa’s leadership of Dallas Independent School District (DISD) brought the board, the staff, and the community together around his vision for a high performing urban, low income, school district in Dallas. Then he led that district to accomplish what most thought was not possible – DISD was transformed to a high performing school system.
Jack Lowe Jr
President & board member, DISD
Quote by Joe Gothard, Superintendent, Madison Metropolitan School District: Hinojosa’s experiences, shared in Superintendent-Wise, provide a comprehensive field guide for school superintendents. Whether you are new to the superintendency or an experienced leader, this book is packed with valuable lessons and innovative approaches to tackle the daily challenges of leading school districts. A must-read for anyone committed to educational leadership and excellence.
Hinojosa’s experiences, shared in Superintendent-Wise, provide a comprehensive field guide for school superintendents. Whether you are new to the superintendency or an experienced leader, this book is packed with valuable lessons and innovative approaches to tackle the daily challenges of leading school districts. A must-read for anyone committed to educational leadership and excellence.
Joe Gothard
Superintendent, Madison Metropolitan School District
Quote by Barbara M Jenkins, Chief in Residence, CHIEFS FOR CHANGE: My colleague and dear friend, Michael Hinojosa, is an incredibly gifted leader, having led more school districts in more states for more years than any of his contemporaries. For good reason, we call him the G.O.A.T. This book succinctly documents the secrets to his success and how his leadership evolved over the years. Aspiring superintendents as well as current district CEOs would do well to heed his model and advice.
My colleague and dear friend, Michael Hinojosa, is an incredibly gifted leader, having led more school districts in more states for more years than any of his contemporaries. For good reason, we call him the G.O.A.T. This book succinctly documents the secrets to his success and how his leadership evolved over the years. Aspiring superintendents as well as current district CEOs would do well to heed his model and advice.
Barbara M Jenkins
Chief in Residence, CHIEFS FOR CHANGE
Quote by Bill Macatee, Broadcaster: In this book Hinojosa shows his unique ability to cut through the noise and get to the core principles that made him one of education's greatest leaders. His experience, insights, and perspective make this a must read.
In this book Hinojosa shows his unique ability to cut through the noise and get to the core principles that made him one of education's greatest leaders. His experience, insights, and perspective make this a must read.
Bill Macatee
Broadcaster
Quote by Michael Casserly, Former Executive Director, Council of the Great City Schools: Michael Hinojosa has gathered a lifetime's worth of insights into a single volume. This should be essential reading for both aspiring and seasoned school superintendents. He addresses all facets of public education leadership, enriching the text with a narrative that is captivating and thought-provoking. This work should be read and reread by anyone serious about making a positive difference in the lives of children.
Michael Hinojosa has gathered a lifetime's worth of insights into a single volume. This should be essential reading for both aspiring and seasoned school superintendents. He addresses all facets of public education leadership, enriching the text with a narrative that is captivating and thought-provoking. This work should be read and reread by anyone serious about making a positive difference in the lives of children.
Michael Casserly
Former Executive Director, Council of the Great City Schools
Quote by Alberto M. Carvalho, Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District: As a fellow superintendent, I can attest to the incredible insights Michael Hinojosa offers in his book. His wealth of experience and practical advice make it an essential read for anyone dedicated to making a lasting impact in education. Hinojosa's strategies for navigating the complexities of the superintendency are both inspiring and actionable.
As a fellow superintendent, I can attest to the incredible insights Michael Hinojosa offers in his book. His wealth of experience and practical advice make it an essential read for anyone dedicated to making a lasting impact in education. Hinojosa's strategies for navigating the complexities of the superintendency are both inspiring and actionable.
Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District

Other Titles in: Leadership | Superintendents & District Administration | School Change, Reform, & Restructuring

Price: $24.95
Volume Discounts applied in Shopping Cart

Review Copies

Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.

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