In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Heidi Sipe, Superintendent of Umatilla School District in Oregon, a role she has held for a remarkable 17 years. Dr. Sipe previously served as the district’s Federal Programs Director and Assistant Superintendent for five years. She also has a higher education background: She is an Adjunct Professor at Lewis and Clark College in Oregon and was an Adjunct Professor at Concordia University in Chicago. Dr. Sipe brings a government perspective as well, having served as an Assistant Superintendent in the Oregon Department of Education.

Some Questions We Ask:

• What is the most rewarding aspect of serving as a superintendent? (01:24)
• What is your opinion about the 2023 RAND Study and how do you cope with stress in the superintendency? (02:06)
• How has scrutiny of the superintendency changed over the years? (03:26)
• What are your strategies for bringing the community together to see your vision as a superintendent? (06:51)
• How do you gauge the engagement level of your community? (10:00)
• Do you think your stress level as a superintendent is representative of others across the nation? (11:30)
• What creative ways have you used storytelling and communication? (13:04)
• What’s your advice to district leaders who are having difficulty building a community? (16:56)
• Why is it important to see superintendents as real people? (20:02)
• How can we better support superintendents in their roles? (21:39)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Rewarding aspects of the superintendency (01:33)
• Dr. Sipe’s opinion on the 2023 RAND study and stress coping mechanisms (02:22)
• Scrutiny of the superintendency (03:31)
• Bringing the community together around one vision (07:01)
• Gauging community engagement levels (10:12)
• Stress level comparisons among superintendents (11:41)
• Creative ways of reaching out to the community (13:17)
• Advice for other district leaders (17:01)
• The importance of humanizing superintendents (20:28)
• Tips for advocating for superintendents (21:50)

Quotes:

“How I do parental involvement: I try to be places. I try to visit. I try to get to know people.”

“We can't ever forget that we are given this incredible opportunity—but also responsibility—to be a partner in raising the next generation of leaders, and if we don't own that and recognize the significance of it, we're failing our communities. No one's going to trust someone to be a partner in raising their kid unless they know that person and they know what they stand for."

Stay in touch with Dr. Heidi Sipe:

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Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
SWPR GROUP Website
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Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
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About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook