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Robert Moore on Path to Lead Urban District
Robert Moore grew up in a big city. His formative years were spent in Louisville where he graduated from Shawnee High School. Now, Moore is back in the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) as the Chief of Schools, overseeing much of the daily operations in all schools and, according to a national group, a perfect candidate to lead a large, urban school district in the future.
Moore is one of 10 senior level administrators from large, city school districts who have been chosen to participate in an urban superintendent leadership development program from the Council of Great City Schools. Moore was selected to be in the first cohort of the group in the Council’s Michael Casserly Urban Executive Leadership Institute for Aspiring Superintendents.
"It's an honor to be selected for this opportunity to grow professionally. This would not happen without the support of my fellow JCPS Cabinet members, Dr. Pollio, and my school team of administrators and classified support staff."
The Institute was set up to build a pipeline of future urban school leaders with a goal of cutting the high turnover rate for superintendents in large districts. The eight month training program begins in February with the participants receiving instruction from successful superintendents of urban districts, with topics including school board relations, academics, finances, and labor relations.
“I truly believe that with the variety of tools and skill sets we will give them through the Institute, members of the cohort will be well-prepared to take the reins and improve the nation’s urban school systems,” said Michael Hinojosa, Director of the Institute and the former superintendent of Dallas schools.
The 10 participants are a diverse group with seven of the 10 being educators of color, including Moore. That’s one of the goals of the Institute — to increase the diversity at the highest level of management in urban districts. Moore says he’s excited about the opportunity.
"I am looking forward to collaborating with highly effective district leaders of large city districts. My goal is to have the opportunity to lead a district and eliminate any opportunity gaps for the students I oversee. "