天美传媒

by Cecil Harris

A study from the reveals the percentage of women superintendents in our nation’s public schools has increased significantly鈥攆rom 13.2 percent in 2000 to 24.1 percent in 2010.

graduates Roberta Gerold, M.S. ’73, Ph.D, and Maria Rianna ’82, M.S. ’83, are part of that trend.

Roberta Gerold, M.S. ’73, Ph.D

Dr. Gerold has been the superintendent of the in Centereach, New York, since 2006. Prior to that, she served as the superintendent in two other Long Island school districts for five years each: and .

When Ms. Rianna became the school superintendent in , New York, on July 1, 2013, she faced the aftermath of alleged grade-fixing scandals that occurred on her predecessor鈥檚 watch in 2012: According to Newsday, at least 18 teachers have been accused of coaching students on state tests, and employees at a high school allegedly changed scores. The and the are investigating the charges.

鈥淲e have a tremendous staff here, regardless of headlines that may have clouded people鈥檚 view of Glen Cove,鈥� said Ms. Rianna, who had been an assistant or deputy superintendent in various districts since 2000, but not in Glen Cove.

A superintendent is responsible for preparing a school district鈥檚 budget, providing educational leadership for district teachers and administrators, ensuring that personnel are qualified and well-supervised and maintaining the quality of district schools while also satisfying school board members and the local community.

Maria Rianna ’82, M.S. ’83

It can be a daunting role, perhaps more so for a woman since men have long dominated it.

鈥淵ears ago, I experienced not being able to move forward in my career, but I refused to accept it,鈥� Dr. Gerold said. 鈥淚 refused to accept it because I knew I could do the work. Whenever I have come across someone who may have thought that a woman could not do the job, I鈥檝e said, 鈥楲et鈥檚 have a conversation about that.鈥� Leadership does not have a specific gender. Public education deserves strong ethical leaders, and that doesn鈥檛 have a specific gender.鈥�

Dr. Gerold has been a role model to other women in education, including Ms. Rianna.

鈥淩oberta has been a great resource for me over the years,鈥� said Ms. Rianna, who is scheduled to defend her dissertation at Hofstra University this fall. 鈥淚 tell her she鈥檚 my hero. She has been so successful in serving the community in which she works.鈥�

Ms. Rianna and Dr. Gerold attended Adelphi鈥檚 Garden City campus and assumed leadership positions after earning degrees in the . They talk periodically about the unique challenges their work presents.

鈥淭he job of superintendent is more challenging today because we have to make sure students are properly supported with less money in the budget with which to do that,鈥� Ms. Rianna said. 鈥淲e have to collaborate with the community to advocate for the appropriate funding for our students.鈥�

Working with diverse groups of people and balancing the needs of a school district with the political realities of budget cuts require strong interpersonal and leadership skills, as well as an ability to articulate a clear vision鈥攕kills Dr. Gerold and Ms. Rianna honed at Adelphi.

鈥淎delphi鈥檚 classes forced me to think and to defend my positions,鈥� said Dr. Gerold, who earned her master鈥檚 degree in special education and received her Ph.D. at Hofstra. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e having conversations, you鈥檙e always learning. As a superintendent, I still aspire to be a teacher who is always learning.鈥�

Ms. Rianna earned a degree in psychology before receiving her M.S. in Special Education.

鈥淭he faculty at Adelphi was very experienced, and the flexible scheduling helped me finish my master鈥檚 in one year while working as a teacher鈥檚 assistant,鈥� Ms. Rianna said. 鈥淢y goal was to be in a classroom to help children. I鈥檓 still able to do that, but from a different perspective. The teachers are on the front line, but I鈥檓 providing them with the support they need.鈥�

A critical issue facing school superintendents is the new common core curriculum. Advocates say it will produce better-educated students in the long term. But it has led to markedly lower standardized test scores this year.

鈥淭here should have been additional time to transition to the program,鈥� Ms. Rianna said. 鈥淭he emphasis should be on deeper learning,鈥� Dr. Gerold added, 鈥渂ut I don鈥檛 believe a one-model-fits-all approach is good for anyone.鈥�

So what advice would Dr. Gerold and Ms. Rianna give to those who aspire to become schools superintendents?

鈥淚f you always listen carefully and are willing to accept other points of view, you鈥檒l learn more,鈥� Dr. Gerold said. 鈥淔ocus on what is a good fit for you,鈥� Ms. Rianna said. 鈥淪tudy, learn and keep your eyes and ears open at all times. That openness can give you a different perspective on things.鈥�