Month: September 2019

AASA Membership Categories and Benefits

American Association of School Administrators
Image: aasa.org

Former superintendent Dr. Matthew Wendt currently works as an overseas principal and consultant for international schools in Beijing and Shenzhen, China. With more than 20 years as a school administrator (including as a superintendent), Dr. Matthew Wendt leverages his experience and knowledge in the field. He is also a member of several professional associations, such as the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).

There are seven membership categories available on the AASA website. Basic membership is for teachers, graduate students, or anyone who is employed in non-administrative positions and would like to pursue a career as a school system leader. Meanwhile, anyone who is retired as a school administrator can apply for the retired membership. The dues for both basic and retired membership are $77.

The associate, district cabinet, and professor membership dues are $204, while the small-school district leader membership dues are $230. Active membership typically caters to superintendents and assistant or deputy superintendents, whose dues are $460.

AASA members benefit from access to several services, depending on the membership category. These include legal support, a team of education consultants who provide training, print and digital issues of the award-winning magazine “School Administrator,” certifications, and several professional learning programs. Other benefits include networking opportunities, such as participation in conferences and meetings.

The Duties of a Superintendent

Matthew Wendt photo
Matthew Wendt

Drawing on more than 20 years as a school leader, Dr. Matthew Wendt currently works as an overseas principal in two Chinese schools in Beijing and Shenzhen. There, he provides leadership and instruction, oversees faculty, develops curriculum and policies, and creates exchange programs. Dr. Matthew Wendt is a former superintendent who worked in several schools in the United States before launching his consultancy firm.

Serving as the public face of a school district, the superintendent also serves as the chief executive officer of the institution. Superintendents must be effective leaders in order to oversee the daily operations and long-range planning of a district while keeping the board of education informed about happenings and events in the schools.

Usually, superintendents begin their career as teachers, and later become principals before moving up to superintendent. The essential requirement to become a superintendent is to earn a master’s degree in school administration or education. Often, a doctorate in educational administration is also needed to be competitive in the field.

A superintendent of schools needs to possess strong leadership and communication skills, since they are responsible for solving problems, hiring staff, managing finances, and lobbying for additional resources when needed. In some school districts, superintendents also need to develop new curricula, instructional materials, and assessments, drawing on a broad pedagogical foundation.