The Public Education Promise Principle 3: Attracting, Hiring, Retaining, and Rewarding the Best People

This panel discussion explores how public education is evolving through AASA’s Public Education Promise initiative, focusing on attracting, hiring, retaining, and rewarding top educational talent. Leaders from diverse districts share strategies, success stories, and resources to support school leaders nationwide. Follow on X: @AASAHQ | @larawadem | @Jonharper70bd | @BAMRadioNetwork Related Resources: The Public Education Promise Dr. Kristine Gilmore is a respected national leader in public education and serves as the Chief Leadership and Learning Officer at AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In this role, she guides the organization’s work to strengthen leadership development, expand professional learning, and support superintendents across the country. Her efforts include shaping national programming for AASA’s Center of Leadership and Learning, building partnerships that enhance member services, and mentoring leaders who are preparing for or advancing within district-level roles. She collaborates with executive directors, thought partners, and education organizations to elevate effective practices, create learning experiences that reflect the needs of today’s schools, and champion the development of strong and diverse leadership pipelines. Heidi Sipe has served as the Superintendent of the Umatilla School District since 2007. Born and raised in Eastern Washington, she began her work in Eastern Oregon in 2000 and developed a deep passion for rural education, especially for students of poverty and emerging bilingual students. Sipe is committed to After-School and STEAM programming to help students gain access to new ideas and develop interests in their communities, and beyond. Sipe previously chaired the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, served on the Oregon Taskforce on School Funding, was a founding councilor of the Oregon Educator Advancement Council and served two terms as Superintendent Advisor to the State Board of Education. She is currently on the Executive Committee for AASA, the national School Superintendents Association and served on the AASA Governance Committee for two terms. Dr. W. Burke Royster became the 10th Superintendent of Greenville County Schools, the 42nd largest district in the nation, in 2012. His tenure as Superintendent has been marked by significant advances in student achievement, with a particular focus on improving the District’s graduation rate and ensuring that students are college- and career-ready. In a nod to the progress achieved under his direction, Dr. Royster has been named an Education Week “Leader to Learn From,” was selected as the South Carolina Association of School Administrators’ 2018 Superintendent of the Year, and in 2023 was named to Greenville Business Magazine’s “50 Most Influential” Hall of Fame. He serves on the Governing Board of AASA, The School Superintendents’ Association, and is an active member of the Large Countywide and Suburban District Consortium, having served as its chair.