WASDA/CESA #2 EXECUTIVE
COACHING PROGRAM FOR
SUPERINTENDENTS
2011-2012
SPONSORED BY
WASDA’s New Superintendent Assimilation Program “on the cutting edge.”
WASDA has a rich history of providing support and professional development for superintendents. The role of the superintendent has always required strong leadership but even more now. The responsibilities of this high profile job require immediate skills and few are given much time to mature in the job and gain experience. According to WASDA Executive Director Miles Turner, “by the time many superintendents share their most complex problems it is too late and often those hit in the first three years on the job.” Therefore, WASDA/CESA #2 has developed an Executive Coaching Program to hit the targets early that get most new superintendents in trouble and provide individual coaching support for those unique and complex issues that require immediate attention. This is the fourth year of the program and those 30 superintendents who were in the program in 2010-2011 gave raving reviews and most are continuing into a Phase II of similar support. According to Miles Turner, “this program is on the cutting edge and couldn’t be more timely.” Miles is very excited about this program and recognizes “with the number of baby boomers retiring in the next several years it will be impossible for me as the Executive Director to provide the same level of support as in the past and especially with the personal coaching for each new superintendent this program is essential.”
The Problem
The superintendent position is often “lonely at the top” where the political nature of decisions with school boards, staff and community leave the person feeling unsure of who to trust and confide in as they sort out possible solutions that involve potentially volatile and highly charged strategies. In the past ten years the most powerful support for a CEO has come from working with an executive coach. Many fortune 500 companies have a person they trust to help them sort out some of the complex problems that often make or break a career. In addition, the current climate of this critical leadership position in school districts requires information on topics that in the past would have been gained over several years of experience. Now most of these “hot topics” are facing new superintendents within the first year or two on the job.
The Solution
In 2008, WASDA/CESA #2 launched the Executive Coaching Program. Dr. Norm Fjelstad presents “The Pitfalls of the Superintendent” based on his research. These pitfalls are the primary focus for the sessions in the program in addition to individual coaching and several important subjects traditionally covered in the New Administrator Workshops. In addition to the feedback from new superintendents in the program Fjelstad did his Ph.D. research dissertation on the characteristics that enlist trust and commitment in the superintendent. These five workshops will include strategies and information on how to address the most important problems new superintendents encounter during their first three years on the job. This program will help new superintendents grow in capacity and knowledge by providing insights that would normally take five to ten years to gain by experience alone on the job. Personalized support from a certified professional coach with over twenty years of experience as a superintendent in Wisconsin will be available seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day.
Director of Coaching
Dr. Norm Fjelstad is a certified executive coach, former State Principal of the Year in 1987 and 2008 Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association Administrator of the Year. He has twenty years of experience as Superintendent of the Edgerton School District. From 2000-2005 he taught School and Community Relations and is now teaching Human Resources for the University of Wisconsin-Madison to Ph.D. students. Fjelstad also teaches Human Resources and Business Management to graduate students for Cardinal Stritch University. He led the Edgerton School District to four successful multi-million dollar referendums and received recognition by the Wisconsin State Legislature for outstanding leadership skills and team building skills as Superintendent. Fjelstad has been working with new superintendents for the past ten years as a mentor and coach and brings experience and passion to support superintendents in this new Executive Coaching Program.
Executive Coaching Program Cost
The cost to participate in the complete Executive Coaching Program, which includes registration for all five workshops and five individual executive coaching sessions, is $725. It is recommended by WASDA that new Superintendents enroll in the total program.
Individual Workshop Fees and Information
You may also enroll for individual workshops at a cost of $225 for the July workshop and $125 for each of the other one-day workshops. Attendees will also receive one individual coaching session per workshop attended. Below is a list of the dates/locations of the workshops.
Individual Coaching Sessions
Those new superintendents enrolled in the complete Executive Coaching Program will receive five individual executive coaching sessions.
Indvidual Workshop Programs and Registration Information Coming Soon!
Superintendent Executive Coaching is an Extension of the
WASDA/CESA #2 Leadership Institute
4797 Hayes Rd
Madison WI 53704
608-242-1090
www.wasda.org
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