How does a successful superintendent lead?

Description

This study examines the leadership of Dr. Mark Edwards, superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School System in North Carolina. Using Johnson's (1996) theoretical framework, I analyzed my observations, archival document analysis, and in-depth interviews to determine the educational, managerial, and political leadership practices exercised by Dr. Edwards. This study has three main findings: (1) Dr. Edwards exercises educational leadership through the advancement of a vision, a focus on the instructional core, and by building the capacity of leaders, especially teacher leaders, to examine instruction; (2) Dr. Edwards advances managerial leadership by orchestrating a system of teams focused on organizational learning and on implementing a series of small steps to bring a Digital Conversion to scale; (3) Dr. Edwards' political leadership is focused on developing an ecosystem that promotes student success. He successfully integrates his educational, managerial, and political leadership to support the school district's vision.