The Superintendency: A Turbulent Profession

Abstract

This mixed-method study analyzed and identified the impact heightened turbulence has on the profession of the superintendency and superintendent job satisfaction. More specifically, this study examined an assessment of the sources of turbulence and factors that superintendents claim impact their job satisfaction, while experiencing heightened degrees of turbulence. Today’s superintendent has significant expectations placed upon him or her and numerous constituencies to serve. Further, the position has evolved into one that requires detailed skill and mastery of varying degrees encompassing an assortment of subject material. Research has indicated the profession continues to experience high levels of stress and continued added job responsibilities with shrinking financial resources. However, most superintendents claim a high level of job satisfaction while navigating in the obvious turbulent environments they live in every day. It is this combination of job satisfaction and turbulence that this study discussed to further enhance the superintendent’s ability to remain successful and satisfied while performing as the public-school superintendent. To provide more information on the heightened turbulence superintendents experience, this mixed-method study analyzed the 500 Pennsylvania public school superintendents to help both current and future superintendents more deeply comprehend the impact such turbulence has on their profession. Keywords: superintendent, turbulence, turbulence theory, Pennsylvania, mixed-method, job satisfaction