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Superintendents' Collaborative

 Superintendents' Collaborative logo with 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. This model centers on shared leadership and collective improvement by bringing superintendents together to learn, reflect, and apply new ideas to their unique district contexts. 

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.

  • Kick-off event Oct. 16 with an evening hosted reception and networking the night before. Superintendents will gather and process content from the Superintendents Political Leadership Field book.  (Dr. Jennifer Perry Cheatham, facilitator)

  • Four virtual events throughout the 2025-26 school year. 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)

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.
Dates and Logistics

Wednesday, Oct. 15
Evening hosted reception and networking 

Thursday, Oct. 16
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Shared learning at in-person event (central Iowa location TBD)

Virtual Dates (9-10:30 a.m.)

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

This program is only for SAI members.

Cost: $300 for the year

Register Online