Dr. Reid Named AASA 2021 National Superintendent of the Year

Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Reid who was named 2021 National Superintendent of the Year! "I want to thank our community, our students, our staff, our elected board of directors, our families, and our community partners. This is really a great recognition for the Northshore School District and the community at large."  She added that she was honored to be among such an impressive cohort of finalists for the award.

Read the AASA press release:

Alexandria, Va. – Feb. 18, 2021 – Michelle Reid, Ed.D., superintendent of Northshore School District in Bothell, Wash., has been named the 2021 AASA National Superintendent of the Year®. Today’s announcement came at the (virtual) National Conference on Education, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

Regarded as the most comprehensive professional learning and networking event for school superintendents and administrators, this event is addressing the most critical issues affecting public education today, including leading through the COVID-19 pandemic, equity in education, social and emotional learning, personalizing education, technology and school safety.

Reid says this really is a team effort and a team award, "I want to thank our community, our students, our staff, our elected board of directors, our families, and our community partners. This is really a great recognition for the Northshore School District and the community at large."  She added that she was honored to be among such an impressive cohort of finalists for the award.

The other National Superintendent of the Year® finalists were:

• Bryan Johnson, Hamilton County Schools, Chattanooga, Tenn.
• Khalid Mumin, Reading School District, Reading, Pa.
• Christy Perry, Salem-Keizer Public Schools, Salem, Ore.

“Leadership is illuminated when there is no clear roadmap to a solution. The superintendency, being highlighted by AASA, illuminates the power and importance of leadership. It matters now more than ever,” “This has also been powerful affirmation of the strength of our community. It validates the work of so many,” said Reid as a 2021 National Superintendent of the Year® finalist.

Reid was unanimously selected as superintendent by the Northshore School District Board of Directors in June 2016 following an extensive national search. She previously served as superintendent of South Kitsap School District in Port Orchard, Wash. Prior to becoming South Kitsap's superintendent, she served as deputy superintendent, district athletic director and high school principal in the Port Angeles (Wash.) School District. She is known regionally and nationally for instructional leadership and crafting sustainable systems for district support of the instructional core. She has been a conference keynote presenter, STEM panel participant and has been a leadership facilitator at both the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership and the Harvard Institute for School Leadership.

Now in its 34^th year, the National Superintendent of the Year® program, co-sponsored by AASA, AIG Retirement Services and First Student, celebrates the contributions and leadership of public school superintendents.

“Congratulations to Michelle Reid for her outstanding contributions to the Northshore School District community, especially during such challenging times,” said Rob Scheinerman, chief executive officer, AIG Retirement Services. “AIG Retirement Services is honored to support school superintendents, and we remain committed to working with teachers and school staff as they help our nation’s children learn, achieve and grow.”

“Michelle Reid demonstrates the highest professional standards when it comes to leading a school district and working to build a lasting future for students,” said Paul G. Osland, president, First Student. “She is an extraordinary superintendent, who exemplifies the important work of all superintendents to create positive pathways for students in these extraordinary times. We salute Michelle Reid and are honored to partner with AASA on this celebration of leadership in public education.”

“It is truly an honor to congratulate Michelle Reid for being named the 2021 National Superintendent of the Year®, and for the passion and commitment she has shown on behalf of the Northshore School District,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “Despite the uncertainties our school systems are facing caused by the global pandemic, Michelle and the other three finalists, Bryan Johnson, Khalid Mumin and Christy Perry, are empowering their students to lead us into a better world. These individuals are all champions for children. I thank AIG Retirement Services and First Student for supporting our program.”

Members of the 2021 AASA National Superintendent of the Year® Award Blue Ribbon Selection Committee include:

• Wanda Cook-Robinson (2013 National Superintendent of the Year® finalist), superintendent, Oakland Schools, Waterford, Mich.
• Earl Franks, executive director, National Association of Elementary School Principals, Alexandria, Va.
• Tom Gentzel, executive director and CEO, National School Boards Association, Alexandria, Va. (retired)
• Curtis Jones (2019 National Superintendent of the Year®), superintendent, Bibb County (Ga.) School District
• Patricia Neudecker (past AASA president), director, School Leadership Programs, Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wis.

The AASA National Superintendent of the Year® program is open to all U.S. superintendents who plan to continue in the profession. The program also honors Canadian and other international school superintendents. The applicants were measured against the following criteria:

• Leadership for learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in the 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; and
• Community involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues.

A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2021 AASA National Superintendent of the Year® to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated, or the school now serving the same area.