L.A. Superintendent Values Student Growth And Achievement
Dr. Leslie Boozer is Superintendent of Schools for Fontana Unified School District. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the district's 44 school sites and district office. Dr. Boozer coordinates the education program for the school district's 42,000 students and provides transformative leadership in its development and improvement. She also partners with our Board of Education, parents and community to ensure that upon graduation the district's students are prepared for life in a diverse, fast-paced global society.
Dr. Boozer earned a doctorate in education and a master's in education from Harvard University. She also has a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in business and history/political science from Cumberland College.
Dr. Boozer shares the her insights and experiences on overseeing a very large public school district in Los Angeles.
What are the scope and responsibilities of your current role?
"I provide leadership for our 5,000+ full and part-time teachers and staff as they work to provide the best education for our students. While managing over a $360 million budget, I also oversee a wide range of business functions as our employees serve an average of 36,000 meals per day, transport students over 3,600 miles daily and keep our students safe with a specialized school police department."
What is your favorite part of your daily duties?
"My favorite part of the day is talking with our students and seeing them demonstrate what they have learned. Whether I am visiting classrooms, attending an awards presentation or watching our students perform on stage or at a competition, witnessing their growth and achievement always brightens my day."
Do you feel your education prepared you for your current role?
"Absolutely! Harvard's Urban Superintendents Program was excellent preparation for the complicated work of the superintendency. The intensive program taught me the leadership, managerial and political skills necessary to pursue equity for all children and ensure that we work to prepare every child for college, career and life."
Do you have any advice for people who desire to pursue a similar career?
"It is important to have a diverse background and I'm very thankful for my education in business and law. As Superintendent, you face a myriad of challenges from implementing new curriculum to overseeing facilities and operations. It is equally important to understand how to maximize our business functions as it is to understand how to continuously improve our educational program."
Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner. She also has experience in school administration, literacy coaching and is proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com and MichelleGuilbeau.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of cities, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
