Walter Gonsoulin Jr. speaks during the General Session on Thursday, March 6, after winning the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year Award. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker)
Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr., superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Alabama, has been named the 2025 AASA National Superintendent of the Year®. Gonsoulin was presented with the award March 6 at the National Conference on Education, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
Now in its 38th year, the National Superintendent of the Year® program is co-sponsored by AASA, Corebridge Financial and Sourcewell, and recognizes exceptional superintendents for their outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing public education in their communities. The other 2025 National Superintendent of the Year® finalists, named December 16, 2024, are:
- Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, Peoria Public School District 150, Ill.
- Debbie Jones, Bentonville School District, Ark.
- David K. Moore, School District of Indian River County, Fla.
“It is an honor to congratulate Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr. of Alabama as the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year®,” said David R. Schuler, executive director, AASA. “Walter as well as our other three finalists are future-driven ambassadors in their respective learning communities who are empowering their students and staff to lead us into the future and working to ensure that education is an innovative, vibrant and transformative force. I thank Corebridge Financial and Sourcewell for supporting this important program.”
Each of the finalists were nominated by their state association and honored with the title of State Superintendent of the Year. The nominees were then measured against the following criteria:
- Leadership for Learning: Creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system.
- Communication: Strength in both personal and organizational communication.
- Professionalism: Constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.
- Community Involvement: Active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.
A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2025 AASA National Superintendent of the Year® to a student attending the high school from which the superintendent graduated, or the school now serving the same area.
