A district’s success relies on its leader’s ability to embrace self-growth—because there is always room for growth, argues District Administration’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year.
That includes attending conferences like The Future of Education Technology Conference, says Dr. Jeff Horton, superintendent of Minnesota’s Southwest Metro Intermediate School District 288. The self-described “10-point extrovert” sees conferences like these as essential hubs for professional growth.
“It’s so easy to meet and find people here,” he says. “It’s really exciting. You sit down at a table, and people start talking to you. They want to hear your story and the things that you’re working on.”