4: Spirituality as Source of Strength and Inspiration for Superintendents

The nature of the rural superintendency is unique and challenging. This chapter draws on the findings of a recent study of the lived experience of 14 rural public school superintendents from a Pacific Northwest state and an upper Midwest state who had served their school district for more than three times the national average for rural superintendents. Findings relevant to the praxis of critical servant leadership theory and spiritual leadership for school administrators include: (1) Long-tenure rural superintendents possess character traits associated with servant leadership; (2) They see themselves as servant leaders and provide models for effectively operationalizing servant leadership; and (3) They acknowledge the vital role of spirituality in providing strength and inspiration in their capacity as servant leaders. Furthermore, these findings suggest that servant leadership cultivation and spiritual integration can contribute to superintendent longevity, wellbeing, and success in urban and suburban as well as rural settings.