A superintendent from Michigan and a central-office leader in Florida were honored as AASA’s 2019 Women in School Leadership award winners at the 2nd General Session on Friday morning.

The honoree in the superintendent category was Wanda Cook-Robinson, superintendent, Oakland Schools, Waterford, Mich. The titlist in the central-office/principal category was Marie Izquierdo, chief academic officer, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami, Fla.

Jim Yale, vice president of industry relations for Horace Mann, the award sponsor, introduced the finalists and winner from each category.

The other two superintendent finalists were Courtney Orzel, superintendent, Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A, Lemont, Ill., and Betsy Webb, superintendent, Bangor School Department, Bangor, Maine.

Tanzy Kilcrease, associate superintendent, Bibb County School District, Macon, Ga., was the other central-office finalist.

The awards recognize the exceptional leadership of active, front-line female administrators.

Candidates are judged based on leadership in meeting the learning needs of students, personal and organizational communication strength, constant professional improvement of knowledge and skills, and active community involvement.

Read the official AASA press release.