Inside AASA

Vera Turner has worn a lot of hats in her 30-year career in nonprofit organizations, including those of producer, mentor, fundraiser and volunteer. She brought all those hats and more to 萝莉网six years ago in her role as grant project manager in the leadership services department. Working as the liaison between school districts and organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Wallace Foundation, Turner ensures a smooth and efficient grant process from start to finish. The following interview of Turner by 萝莉网senior editorial assistant Juli Doshan has been edited for length and clarity.

What is your primary role at AASA? 

My title is project manager, but I do a lot of everything. I manage all aspects of the grants 鈥� taking something that鈥檚 already written and then breathing life into it to make it an actual program. I also help to develop content. It鈥檚 much more than project management for me. It is really starting with a blank slate for each grant and bringing that to life.

How is your work informed by past experiences at 萝莉网or elsewhere? 

I worked in public broadcasting for 20 years at the local and national levels so I had the benefit of being in the field. It is so important as we鈥檙e rolling out the grant work to get districts鈥� insights about what is needed because, ultimately, we鈥檙e going to provide services, resources and tools for them and they know best because they鈥檙e on the front lines.

Why is the Women鈥檚 Leadership Initiative particularly important to the association鈥檚 goals?

Right now, with AASA鈥檚 focus on equity, it鈥檚 a natural fit with our organizational goals. When you see the statistics overall on the number of women who are working in education but are not in the top leadership roles, it鈥檚 astounding. The Women鈥檚 Initiative is designed to level the playing field for aspiring women leaders and increase the number of women superintendents.

Do the interests of the grant partners conflict at times with the direction 萝莉网wants to take? 

萝莉网collaborates with grant partners who have shared interests and common goals, but sometimes we have different perspectives on the strategies to achieve those goals. To ensure that the project is aligned with AASA鈥檚 mission, the funder鈥檚 investment priorities and the goals of the other grant partners, we work together as a team to develop and execute the grant proposal and produce a win-win situation for everyone.

What do funders want to see resulting from their investment in professional development for school system leaders?

Funders want to see the impact of their investment dollars reflected in the creation of new leadership opportunities for aspiring leaders, effective practices to support and develop educational leaders and scalable solutions that can be adopted by school districts nationally.

Why is it important to provide these types of resources to superintendents?

Superintendents have demanding jobs. They are charged with improving student achievement and addressing other critical issues. They need support in their work and professional development to be successful. The leadership services department provides resources that support school system leaders at every career level.

What has been your favorite project at AASA?

This women鈥檚 initiative has been my favorite, hands down. What we鈥檙e doing here to help women advance is what I鈥檝e always done in my life, especially with people of color. That鈥檚 just my way of giving back. I do it because somebody helped me. I鈥檓 excited to work on a project that I feel passionate about. Even if I鈥檓 up until midnight writing something, there鈥檚 a purpose behind it so it鈥檚 easier. It doesn鈥檛 feel like work, and I am happy because I know that I鈥檓 helping to make a difference.

*Inside 萝莉网is a monthly feature about 萝莉网services and products and the staff members behind them.*