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Dr. Susan Bunting spent Tuesday fielding questions at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. as one of four finalists for the American Association of School Administrators 2012 National Superintendent of the Year award.
The annual award, in its 25th year, seeks to recognize school administrators who have exhibited leadership in learning that successfully meets the needs of students while also demonstrating strengths in personal and organizational communication, a constantly improving administrative knowledge that facilitates professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team, and an active participation in local community activities as well as an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.
Bunting has had a modest reaction to the recognition and is quick to acknowledge the work and support of many in the Indian River School District.
“It is truly humbling to be recognized among the best and brightest school superintendents in the United States,” Bunting said. “This honor is a reflection of the tremendous work being done by the hundreds of talented teachers and administrators in our schools. It is to these dedicated educators that I am grateful for making Indian River one of the best public school districts in Delaware. Although being a national finalist is an individual honor, the success of our students has always been a team effort.”
Bunting began her career in the Indian River School District in 1977 after spending six years as a teacher and curriculum writer at several Maryland schools. She was a language arts teacher until 1979 when she became a teacher of gifted students.
By 1991, she was serving as Supervisor of Elementary Instruction but by 1996, she became the district’s director of instruction.
In 2006, she succeeded the retiring Lois Hobbs as district superintendent.
Schools, teachers and administrators in the Indian River School District have been recognized for both improvements and ongoing success stories. With her direction, the district was selected as one of the original participants in Delaware’s Vision 2012 initiative and has been recognized for the accomplishments in Delaware’s Race to the Top program.
In 2011, the district’s students ranked among the state’s best in reading, math, science and social studies, as measured by the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System. Additionally, all 14 district-schools were rated as “superior” in Delaware’s accountability system including Sussex Central, which had a historical record for needing improvement.
Bunting earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education from The American University, her masters in education from Salisbury University, and a doctorate in education leadership from the University of Delaware. She also attended Harvard’s Principals’ Academy and completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
Dr. Susan Bunting spent Tuesday fielding questions at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. as one of four finalists for the American Association of School Administrators 2012 National Superintendent of the Year award.
The annual award, in its 25th year, seeks to recognize school administrators who have exhibited leadership in learning that successfully meets the needs of students while also demonstrating strengths in personal and organizational communication, a constantly improving administrative knowledge that facilitates professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team, and an active participation in local community activities as well as an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.
Bunting has had a modest reaction to the recognition and is quick to acknowledge the work and support of many in the Indian River School District.
“It is truly humbling to be recognized among the best and brightest school superintendents in the United States,” Bunting said. “This honor is a reflection of the tremendous work being done by the hundreds of talented teachers and administrators in our schools. It is to these dedicated educators that I am grateful for making Indian River one of the best public school districts in Delaware. Although being a national finalist is an individual honor, the success of our students has always been a team effort.”
Bunting began her career in the Indian River School District in 1977 after spending six years as a teacher and curriculum writer at several Maryland schools. She was a language arts teacher until 1979 when she became a teacher of gifted students.
By 1991, she was serving as Supervisor of Elementary Instruction but by 1996, she became the district’s director of instruction.
In 2006, she succeeded the retiring Lois Hobbs as district superintendent.
Schools, teachers and administrators in the Indian River School District have been recognized for both improvements and ongoing success stories. With her direction, the district was selected as one of the original participants in Delaware’s Vision 2012 initiative and has been recognized for the accomplishments in Delaware’s Race to the Top program.
In 2011, the district’s students ranked among the state’s best in reading, math, science and social studies, as measured by the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System. Additionally, all 14 district-schools were rated as “superior” in Delaware’s accountability system including Sussex Central, which had a historical record for needing improvement.
Bunting earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education from The American University, her masters in education from Salisbury University, and a doctorate in education leadership from the University of Delaware. She also attended Harvard’s Principals’ Academy and completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
The National Superintendent of the Year program is co-sponsored by ARAMARK Education, ING, and AASA. The four national finalists were chosen from 49 State Superintendent of the Year finalists.
On Feb. 16, the National Superintendent of the Year will be announced. The winner will receive a jacket emblazoned with the National Superintendent of the Year emblem and, will be recognized alongside the three other national finalists at the AASA National Conference on Education. A $10,000 college scholarship will also be presented in the name of the winner to a student in a high school from which the superintendent graduated or a school now serving the same area.
The other national finalists are Diane Frost of Asheboro City Schools in Asheboro, N.C.; Heath Morrison of Washoe County School District in Reno, Nev. and Lorraine Lange of Roanoke County Public Schools in Roanoke, Va.
