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Zandra Jo Galv谩n was 12 years old when she first learned what a superintendent was, and when she realized that meant being somebody鈥檚 boss, she was instantly hooked. However, once she became one about five years ago, she鈥檚 been on a mission to expand others鈥� perceptions when it comes to viewing the superintendency.

鈥淭he title of the superintendent is kind of a title that might have some assumptions about it in the world,鈥� says Galv谩n, who leads Greenfield Union School District, a 3,400-student district located almost 100 miles south of San Jose, Calif. 鈥淪ome of the assumptions are that we鈥檙e not real people, that we鈥檙e stuffy, that we wear suits, that we鈥檙e not active people or sometimes we give so much to the job that we鈥檙e not necessarily our best version of ourselves. I honestly wanted to break the mold.鈥�

It doesn鈥檛 take much scrolling through any of Galv谩n鈥檚 social media accounts to find evidence of her trendsetting. Video collages of her dancing, jumping and exercising appear almost daily (鈥淶umba is my jam,鈥� she admits) amidst other colorful posts full of infectious smiles, selfies and inspirational quotations. She also doesn鈥檛 shy away from sharing the goings-on of her family on her professional accounts.

鈥淲e need to give ourselves permission to be well first, and I cannot pour from a cup if it鈥檚 empty,鈥� Galv谩n says. 鈥淪o if I鈥檓 not taking care of myself, I鈥檓 not going to be in this job for very long because I鈥檓 not going to be happy and I鈥檓 not going to be healthy.鈥�

Although joining a social media group called #FitLeaders was initially about having some accountability at the beginning of the pandemic, she has since found it a great vehicle to dispute some assumptions held by others about the job. What Galv谩n didn鈥檛 anticipate was becoming an inspiration to others around the country who approach her in public settings to let her know they鈥檝e lost weight by copying her daily regimen.

鈥淚 did not do it for recognition. I did it to encourage other people because one of my core values is 鈥榢indness matters,鈥欌�� Galv谩n says of her social media videos. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 been the sweetest part of the whole deal 鈥� knowing that the simplest thing like that can influence and impact others in such a big, positive way.鈥�

Galv谩n is not one to leave her district behind, especially because it鈥檚 where she attended school and where she began her teaching career exactly 30 years ago. All five schools in Greenfield now have fitness classes and beach cruiser bikes. Each is an approved site for Blue Zones^庐, an international wellness program.

鈥淧eople are happier,鈥� Galv谩n says. 鈥淲e鈥檝e also noticed in our school district that our turnover has significantly decreased over the last six years. I used to hire 80 teachers every year and now I鈥檓 hiring maybe 10 to 15.鈥�

Recognition has come in other ways as well. Galv谩n鈥檚 social media presence caught the eye of Lupita Hightower, superintendent of the Tolleson, Ariz., Elementary School District, a few years ago and they struck up a virtual relationship before finally meeting each other in person at AASA鈥檚 2022 national conference in Nashville, Tenn.

鈥淚t was so exciting because we had met via social media and communicated through technology,鈥� Hightower says. 鈥淭hen she became one of our mentors for the Aspiring Superintendents Academy^庐 for Latino and Latina Leaders and she鈥檚 outstanding at mentoring. She鈥檚 a joy to be around and she just has so much energy that it really inspires us all.鈥�

Juli Valentine is digital content editor at AASA.