NSFA Superintendent of the Year Award |
NSFA Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Rodney E. Watson Superintendent Spring Independent School District | 2021 NSFA Superintendent of the Year Dr. Rodney E. Watson has led the Spring Independent School District since July 2014. The district serves more than 33,000 students in a diverse community approximately 20 miles north of downtown Houston, in an urban area of Harris County, Texas. Along with its 26 elementary schools, seven comprehensive middle schools and three comprehensive high schools, Spring ISD offers families two middle schools of choice, a nationally recognized early college academy and an award-winning high school career academy. |
PURPOSE
To recognize a superintendent whose visionary leadership and collaboration, develops a partnership with their education foundation which provides every student the opportunity for success.
| AWARDRecognition in press releases and NSFA E-news, two registrations to the 2021 Virtual NSFA National Conference (February 23-26), and the opportunity to present at future NSFA events in addition to other prizes. |
Foundation Engagement and Results
Community engagement on behalf of district students
Superintendent has advanced the work of the education foundation with external stakeholders including district staff, the business community or others
Superintendent’s service to other organizations and the impact of that service
OTHER CRITERIA
NSFA welcomes nominations for the Superintendent of the Year Award for a district leader that meets the qualifications of the award. Regardless of their title, we encourage participation from districts of any size for the opportunity for their district leader to be named the NSFA Superintendent of the Year at the 2021 virtual National Conference. The award is not limited to titled Superintendents, rather it is inclusive of all those whose visionary leadership and collaboration develops a partnership with their education foundation to provide every student the opportunity for success.
NSFA Superintendent of the Year Award Previous Winners
Dr. William R. Hite, Jr. Superintendent The School District of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | 2020 NSFA Superintendent of the Year With a focus on equity, innovation and quality, Dr. William R. Hite serves as Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia, the largest public school system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Since joining the School District in June 2012, Dr. Hite has worked to create a system of great schools in every neighborhood. Under his leadership, the School District has opened new innovative high schools, expanded successful school models, launched in-district turnarounds and redesigned schools in partnership with communities. His overall focus remains on strengthening all elementary and secondary school offerings. Dr. Hite’s professional experience includes serving at every level – teacher, principal, central office administrator and Superintendent. He was previously Superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland where his central work focused on enhanced access and rigor to ensure college- and career-readiness. Prince George’s County schools, one of the 25 largest systems in the United States, received national recognition for expanding access to Advanced Placement courses during his tenure. Dr. Hite also served as an Assistant Superintendent in Georgia’s Cobb County School District. In addition, as an administrator in Henrico County, Virginia, he led Highland Springs High School to “Best Practices” honors from the state’s General Assembly. Dr. Hite has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Richmond School of Continuous Learning and taught school leadership courses at Virginia State University, Bowie State University and the University of Maryland. A member of numerous national, state, and local boards, he has participated with national agencies and associations to reform K-12 education. Dr. Hite holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Virginia Tech, master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Virginia and a doctorate in education specializing in educational leadership from Virginia Tech. His interests include music, travel, sports and reading. He and his wife Deirdre have two daughters and a grandson |
2019 NSFA Superintendent of the Year Dr. Enfield is a uniquely strong advocate for community support of public education, and a remarkable collaborator with her district’s Education Foundation: “Their partnership is making a difference in the lives of the nearly 19,000 students in the district. Together they are improving high school graduation rates, closing the achievement gap for English language learners, and creating a culture of success.” | ![]() Dr. Susan Enfield Superintendent Highline Public Schools Burien, WA |
Dr. Michael A. Grego Superintendent Pinellas County School District Largo, FL | 2018 NSFA Superintendent of the Year Dr. Grego is a visionary leader and dedicated educator whose career spans more than 35 years. He began his career as a classroom teacher and department head with Hillsborough County Schools, advancing to become the Assistant Superintendent for Technical, Career & Adult Education, and then Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction. He became Superintendent of the Pinellas County School District in September, 2012. Based in Largo, FL, the system serves nearly 104,000 students in their PK-12 district enrollment, including more than 140 schools and centers. The district is the 7th largest in Florida and 26th largest in the nation serving 76 elementary schools, 22 middle schools, 17 high schools, 6 alternative & exception education schools, 9 adult/vocational schools, 16 centers, and Since 2011, Dr. Grego has led a partnership with PEF's Stavros Career Education Board to implement Academies of Pinellas in PCS high schools to prepare students for careers in high demand industries. This group includes active business partners from a wide variety of institutions across the county. Students have shown better attendance, higher GPAs and higher graduation rates than non-academy peers Under Dr. Grego’s direction, Pinellas County Schools has achieved district-wide accreditation and has been recognized for several major accomplishments. The Learning Counsel honored PCS as one of the top 10 districts in the nation for its digital curriculum strategy. A 2017 report by the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C, ranked PCS as the top in Florida and 10th in the nation for districts offering the best choices for parents. The district earned the top score in Florida two years in a row. In 2017, PCS also earned top-10 ranking in the annual Digital School Districts Survey for exemplary use of technology. The same year, Pinellas was named one of the Great Districts for Great Teachers by the National Council for Teacher Quality. The award honors districts that celebrate, support and reward great teachers.
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