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Superintendents' Collaborative

Civic Leadership in the Superintendency: Leading through Change

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM (CDT) to Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 10:30 AM (CDT)

In-Person AND Virtual

Event Details

SAI is evolving its Executive Leaders model into a new Superintendents' Collaborative — a refreshed networking and learning opportunity designed specifically for Iowa school superintendents. Unlike the previous format, which primarily focused on advocacy, the Superintendent Collaborative offers a more intentional and structured professional learning experience.

New Program Format

2025-26 Theme: Civic Leadership in the Superintendency: Leading through Change (a five-part series)

The past ten years in education have seen an increase in complexity and polarization. How do superintendents balance the expectations of families, community groups, and school boards, while making positive change for the students they serve? This year’s SAI Superintendents' Collaborative focuses on a set of proactive strategies for managing change in a complex environment with an emphasis on visioning, communicating, political mapping, mobilizing, and relationship building — all in relation to your priorities for increasing student outcomes.

Intended Outcomes

  • Develop a robust vision of success and how to get there.
  • Establish goals (focused on academic growth and development).
  • Maintain personal resilience in the face of political pressures and conflicts.
  • Improve your ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including those with differing viewpoints.
  • Identify key players, power dynamics, and potential allies and adversaries.
  • Build coalitions to support educational initiatives.
  • Mobilize diverse groups (e.g. community based) towards common goals, enhancing community support and engagement.
  • Foster ongoing, positive relationships that support a collaborative environment.

For More Information:

School Administrators of Iowa Logo 12199 Stratford Drive
Clive, Iowa 50325
United States
515.267.1115
Dates and Logistics

Sheraton West Des Moines | Google map

Overnight Accommodations

  • SAI group rate: $121
  • Book by contacting Sheraton Conference and Event Manager Natasha Foster directly at 515-457-2110, or natasha.foster@atriumhospitality.com.  You will need to notify Natasha that you are with SAI and attending this event.

Wednesday, Oct. 15
5-6:30 p.m. Sponsored evening reception and networking.

Thursday, Oct. 16
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In-person learning focused on leading through change facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Perry Cheatham.
Sheraton West Des Moines

Download Oct. 16 Agenda

Virtual Dates (9-10:30 a.m.)
These 90-minute virtual meetings will include a check-in, discussion of strategies that work, navigating scenarios, and processing challenges through a Political Problems of Practice Protocol. (Co-facilitated by Dr. Lisa Remy and Dr. Dana Schon, SAI)

  • Nov. 25, 2025
  • Jan. 8, 2026
  • Feb. 17, 2026
  • March 31, 2026
How to Enroll

This program is only for Iowa superintendents who are SAI members.

Cost: $300 for the year