The Superintendent’s Leadership Lens

MASA is pleased to offer members a four-part EdTalk webinar series designed to strengthen superintendent leadership practice through real-world scenarios, professional judgment, and governance-centered decision-making.

While the series is designed for superintendents, all MASA members are welcome to attend.

What You’ll Learn

Across four interactive sessions, participants will explore key leadership challenges superintendents face today, including:

• Leading effectively within governance systems

• Building influence and advancing priorities through relationships

• Navigating disagreement, conflict, and public pressure

• Sustaining trust and leadership over time

Dates + Time

All sessions run 9 - 11:30 am (CT)

• Session 1: February 24

• Session 2: March 10

• Session 3: March 17

• Session 4: March 24

Registration is free for MASA members.

Register for the first session here!

If you register for session 1, MASA will automatically register you for all of the sessions.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

CEUs have been requested from the Minnesota Board of School Administrators (BOSA). Participants must attend at least two of the four session. Sessions will NOT be recorded.

Session Details

Session 1: The Superintendent’s Role in Governance Systems

Leading with clarity and purpose

Superintendents operate at the intersection of governance, leadership, and public accountability. This session focuses on clarifying the superintendent’s role, authority, and leadership posture within a governance system. Participants examine how to establish shared expectations, lead through complexity, and make principled decisions in ambiguous situations.

Session 2: Influence Without Authority

Advancing the work through strategic leadership

Influence is a core skill for effective superintendents. This session explores how leaders move priorities forward through strategic communication, relationship-building, and credibility. Participants consider how to navigate pressure, balance multiple perspectives, and lead decision-making processes without relying on positional authority.

Session 3: Navigating Disagreement and Pressure

Maintaining leadership presence during challenge

Disagreement and tension are inherent in public education leadership. This session supports superintendents in responding productively to conflict, managing pressure, and maintaining professional credibility. Participants reflect on leadership behaviors that de-escalate conflict while keeping the work centered on students and systems.

Session 4: Sustaining Trust and Leadership Over Time

Leading in relationship for long-term effectiveness

Sustained leadership depends on trust, consistency, and reflection. This session focuses on practices that support long-term effectiveness, including sustaining productive working relationships, leading through transition, and maintaining leadership presence over time. Participants consider how trust is built, maintained, and repaired.

About Our Facilitator

Stephen Murley, MSEdAd, EdS is a lifelong educator and former Superintendent of Schools with extensive experience leading districts in Green Bay (WI), Iowa City (IA), and Wausau (WI). He has supported complex, diverse school systems through strategic planning, facilities initiatives, and leadership development efforts. Steve serves as lead instructor for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Superintendent Certification Program, as facilitator for MASA’s Advanced Leadership Academy, and as Clinical Instructor on the University of Iowa College of Education faculty.