2025 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year Selected

About the Superintendent of the Year Award

Since its inception thirty years ago, the Superintendent of the Year program has become widely acknowledged as the most prestigious honor a school system leader can attain.  Applicants are measured against criteria such as successfully meeting the needs of students; personal and organizational communication; professionalism; participation in local community activities; and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues. This award pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our nation's public schools. 

Eligibility

Any superintendent, chancellor or top leader of a school system in Wisconsin who plans to continue in the profession may be nominated. This program is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership of active, front-line superintendents. It is not recognition of service at retirement or a program to reward current state or national leaders.

Selection Criteria

Each candidate is judged on the following criteria:

• Leadership for Learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system.
• Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication.
• Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.
• Community Involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.

Nomination/Application Procedure
The nominator must include a letter of nomination with the application submitted online at https://www.aasa.org.

AASA notifies the candidate of the nomination and provides instructions for submitting the application.

Completed nominations must be received online at AASA by August  1st.

Candidates submit the application online through the AASA website, https://www.aasa.org.

The deadline for completed applications for the Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year is September 1st.

The Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year will be chosen by the WASDA Board of Directors based on Board approved considerations and submitted to AASA by November 1st. 

National Superintendent of the Year Selection Process
To be eligible for National Superintendent of the Year, an applicant must first be selected as a State Superintendent of the Year by the state association of school administrators.

A national blue-ribbon panel of judges selects four finalists for AASA National Superintendent of the Year from among the eligible State Superintendents of the Year. The judging panel is composed of distinguished leaders in education

The blue-ribbon panel interviews the four national finalists in Washington, D.C., to select the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

The panel’s decision will be based on the applications submitted online and in person interview. 

Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year
The Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year will be honored at the AASA National Conference on Education along with the winners from all other states.

The Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year is recognized and honored by WASDA at the State Education Convention in Milwaukee.

List of Past Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year recipients

AASA National Superintendent of the Year
The AASA National Superintendent of the Year is announced at the AASA National Conference on Education.