Is Educational Leadership the Right Career for You?
Educational leaders from curriculum specialists to superintendents develop positive cultures necessary for student success. Their work extends from day-to-day classroom and school operations to consistent implementation of district-wide policies. Educators who want to innovate and solve problems may find that roles in school administration are right for them.
An educational leadership career typically requires classroom experience, licensure as an educator, and an advanced degree. A Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) prepares aspiring leaders to bring new research and ideas into classrooms and meetings. Before pursuing an Ed.D., it is good to understand why an educational leadership career may be right for you and what roles are out there.
Who’s a Good Fit for an Educational Leadership Career?
All educators want to make a positive impact on their students’ lives and ensure that they acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the future. Experienced teachers who want to magnify their impact on students should consider leadership roles. You may be ready for educational leadership roles if you:
- Feel prepared for a new challenge in K-12 education
- Possess natural leadership and communication skills
- Enjoy assisting and mentoring your fellow teachers
- Want to shape policies and long-term development in K-12 schools
- Seek the potential for further opportunities for advancement and earning potential
An advanced degree like the Ed.D. builds competency in the domains of knowledge necessary for educational leadership careers. The Professional Standards for Educational Leaders published by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration establish the competency areas for all school leaders. Your commitment to the following values and an Ed.D. provide the foundations for leadership success:
- Strive for equity of educational opportunity and culturally responsive practices
- Support intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of instruction and assessment
- Develop the professional capacity and practice of school personnel
- Engage the community to promote students’ academic success and well-being
Aspiring educational leaders should also consider that their future roles extend beyond administrative tasks. Education leaders mentor teachers, speak on behalf of the school or the district in the community, and act as connectors between stakeholders. Depending on your position, you may be the face of your school or district to teachers and local policymakers.
Educational Leadership Career Options
There were more than 13,000 public school districts and 120,000 schools in the U.S. in 2020. Retirements, promotions, and career changes in these K-12 settings create advancement opportunities for educators. With advanced degrees in hand, educators can choose from the common career options described below.
Curriculum Specialist
Curriculum specialists identify and implement educational resources for school curricula. They work with department chairs and district staff to align instruction and testing to state standards. Specialists typically work in specific subject areas like English Language Arts or Science. A master’s degree, classroom experience, and teaching licenses are typically required, though a doctoral degree would be useful as hiring standards change in the future.
Department Chair
A department chair is an experienced teacher in the department’s discipline who guides fellow teachers. Chairs prepare budgets for their departments, communicate staff needs to their principals, and oversee teacher scheduling. Department chairs also work with their fellow teachers on professional development and new instructional techniques. This position is a step up from classroom instruction and a good opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills necessary for further advancement.
Vice Principal
Assistant or vice principals oversee the full spectrum of school operations, escalating to principals as necessary. They are often responsible for student discipline, school safety, teacher evaluation, and grounds maintenance. Vice principals are the first points of contact for parent, teacher, or community concerns before additional personnel are engaged. A graduate degree and years of classroom or counseling experience are necessary for this role. Vice principals often seek roles as principals or district leaders, leveraging the experience gained in this position.
Principal
Principals balance district and state standards, desired student outcomes, and budgetary constraints when overseeing K-12 schools. They handle more complicated issues passed from their vice principals, represent their schools to the public, and advocate for additional resources. School principals also provide final approval on operational elements like class schedules, disciplinary decisions, and student activities.
Sixty percent of principals entered their roles with at least 10 years of classroom experience in 2020 and usually hold graduate degrees in education. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found the median salary for principals was $104,070 in May 2024. This salary far exceeds the $64,580 salary for high school teachers and $62,310 for kindergarten and elementary school teachers.
District Leadership
Public school districts often have assistant superintendents, deputy superintendents, and superintendents in their leadership. Assistant superintendents may oversee schools within geographic areas or operational areas like curriculum and personnel. Deputy superintendents implement strategies and initiatives set by the superintendent, while supervising the work done by assistant superintendents. Superintendents provide executive leadership of school districts with policies communicated through school and district staff.
A doctoral degree, state administrator certification, and classroom experience are typical requirements for superintendent roles. The median salary for superintendents was $156,468 in 2023, with salaries for assistants and deputies situated between the averages for principals and superintendents.
Roles Outside of K-12 Schools
Your experience in K-12 settings can be useful in careers outside of classrooms and district offices. Education lobbyists fight for the interests of school districts and teachers’ unions in state legislatures and Congress. School boards, school districts, and communities may also hire educational consultants to assist with professional development and teacher recruitment.
The next step toward these educational leadership careers is an advanced degree that anticipates the skills needed for current and future roles. The Ed.D. builds these skills by focusing on the practical applications of academic research to the K-12 setting. Rockhurst University’s Online Ed.D. with K-12 Leadership concentration offers an innovative approach to training future educational leaders. . In fact, Rockhurst has been ranked the #6 in Most Innovative Schools in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
Pursuing Your Career Path with a Rockhurst University Ed.D.
This innovative doctoral program opens doors to these career paths and more. This 100% virtual degree option can be completed in two years of study. As an Online Ed.D. candidate, you’ll learn from experienced faculty members about topics including:
- Policy, Ethics, and Legal Frameworks in Education
- Education in a Changing World
- Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas
- Inventing and Reinventing Math and Science Curriculum
A distinct feature of Rockhurst University’s Online Ed.D. is its capstone project requirement in place of a dissertation. The first part of this final project involves defining a problem in K-12 education, completing a literature review, and establishing research methodology. Degree candidates work with their advisers on completing journal-style articles based on research topics.
Optional graduate certificates in Justice, Belonging and Community Change and STEAM are available at no additional charge and further strengthen student skills. A reputation for academic excellence confirmed by U.S. News & World Report rankings makes a Rockhurst University degree attractive to employers. Every graduate also carries the university’s commitment to serving for and with others throughout their career.
