Back to the Trenches - school superintendents who choose lower-profile positions in school administration

School Administrator, March, 1996 by Krista Ramsey

* Ask for help and be receptive to advice.

As a group, superintendents have a hard time asking for help or receiving it, experts say. Many see themselves as problem-solvers and feel they should be able to single-handedly fix their own. In fact, many of the difficulties they face are common to both education and other professions.

Empathy, encouragement, and sound advice are often as close as state or regional superintendents' associations, mentoring programs set up by colleges of education or state departments of education, or informal discussion groups with local administrators.

Professional difficulties often leave administrators with feelings of anger, shame, failure, and sadness. Leaving a position they long dreamed of attaining can be an emotionally wrenching experience.

Healing often comes with distance and perspective. If it doesn't--if anger or depression lingers, or if job issues surface repeatedly or in other areas of your life--seek professional help to get past them.