Ending ‘sink or swim’: Preparing superintendents before they lead

Most educators know what it’s like to lead before they feel ready. That’s why Stephanie Powelson-Garza is preparing for the superintendency differently through Holdsworth’s Aspiring Superintendent Accelerator. She is building the skill – and confidence – to lead systems that give every student a place to belong and opportunities to grow.

Powelson-Garza has never forgotten what it felt like to be a student.

“I was a student who wasn’t seen, who fell through the cracks,” she said. “Because of that, I don’t want any student in my sphere of influence to feel less than or invisible.”

That lived experience is what drives her pursuit of the superintendency — and what makes preparation for the role so important.

“I don’t see another way to reach thousands of students systemwide other than being a superintendent – but one with an incredible skillset,” she said.

Not a sink or swim pathway

Powelson-Garza understands how unforgiving the role can be.

“In education, you’re often thrown into positions and told to sink or swim,” she said. “You don’t really know what the job entails until you’re already doing it.”

That’s what drew her to Holdsworth’s Aspiring Superintendent Accelerator, a program intentionally designed to rigorously prepare leaders before they step into the role.

From the first session, she and her cohort dug into tough issues — board dynamics, political challenges, hard conversations — all things that can derail a superintendent from their vision.  

“It wasn’t just about theories,” Powelson-Garza said. “We were roleplaying real scenarios and getting coached in the moment by some of the most renowned superintendents in Texas.”

“You feel it immediately — everyone is all in, for public education and for you as a leader,” she said.

Leading enterprise level work

To apply what she’s learning in the Aspiring Superintendent Accelerator, Powelson-Garza is leading an enterprise project in Donna ISD that mirrors superintendent level work: revitalizing enrollment through innovation.

“Enrollment challenges are something almost every district in Texas is facing,” she said. “This project is about innovating in ways that attract families by offering the highest quality of instruction and enriching opportunities.”

Working side-by-side with Donna ISD Superintendent Dr. Angela Dominguez, Powelson-Garza is stepping beyond department leadership into systemwide change.

“It’s exciting and intimidating at the same time,” she admitted. “It’s pushing me out of my comfort zone, from leading a department to leading systemic change.”

Crucially, she’s not being asked to do that work alone. She has strong partners in her superintendent and her Holdsworth coach.

“They’re phenomenal,” she said. “I feel really supported and I’m excited about what it’s going to bring to the district.”

A superintendent sees the difference

Dr. Angela Dominguez knows firsthand how hard the superintendency can be and why preparation matters.

“All of the stuff that I struggled with as a new superintendent, I think Stephanie will be able to avoid by having this training ahead of time,” Dominguez said. “It will help her to hit the ground running. I would’ve loved to have had that opportunity before coming into the seat.”

For Powelson-Garza, it’s really all about the students.

“When we throw leaders into a sink-or-swim model, it negatively impacts children,” she said. “We want superintendents to thrive from the moment they step foot into those shoes.”