Bill Cleveland has worn many hats during his career. After 31 years in public education and 12 years as superintendent of Homewood City Schools, he’s done it all—teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, consultant and currently, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Samford University’s Orlean Beeson School of Education. Now, Cleveland is adding a new title to his extensive resume: published author.

With school superintendent vacancies on the rise nationwide, Cleveland has released his first book aimed at guiding and encouraging those stepping into the demanding role. So You Want to Be a School Superintendent? provides practical advice, best practices and personal insights drawn from Cleveland’s years in educational leadership.

Cleveland, who grew up in Homewood, Alabama, and still resides there, drew inspiration for the book during the COVID-19 pandemic when he noticed many of his colleagues struggling. The book is designed to be a concise, accessible resource, packed with best practices and leadership strategies.

“I loved being a school superintendent, and I wanted to provide encouragement for those in the role and those considering it,” Cleveland said. “This book isn't just for superintendents. Anyone in a leadership position can benefit from the lessons shared.”

A Practical Guide

One of the key themes in So You Want to Be a School Superintendent? is time management. Cleveland highlights the demanding nature of the role, emphasizing the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. He advises leaders to prioritize quality time with family, maintain a strong faith and build connections with peers.

The book also tackles misconceptions about the superintendent role, particularly the idea that it is solely about management. Cleveland stresses the importance of building relationships with stakeholders, staying visible in the community and fostering strong communication. He outlines key strategies to ease the burden of the job, such as staying proactive, empowering colleagues and maintaining a structured leadership approach.

“With all these responsibilities, and many more, it is important for a superintendent to ensure they are having quality time with God, their family and developing friendships with other superintendents. Attempting to properly manage time is definitely an area that I wish I had a little more of a heads up prior to starting the job,” said Cleveland.

Cleveland discusses how superintendents can balance decisiveness with collaboration, noting that while most decisions benefit from collective input, some require swift, independent action. He points to situations like inclement weather decisions and facility issues as examples where superintendents must act quickly.

Looking ahead, Cleveland sees emerging challenges for future superintendents, including advancements in artificial intelligence, evolving political landscapes and growing teacher shortages. He believes these challenges present opportunities for leaders to innovate and work collaboratively to ensure student success.

A Mentor for Life

Cleveland credits his professional development and leadership to the many mentors he has had the privilege of working alongside. His journey is a testament to the significant impact mentorship can have in shaping a leader's values and guiding them through both personal and professional challenges.

“I have been fortunate to work for and alongside many wonderful educators," Cleveland said. "Many have served as mentors and have modeled positive leadership for me during my journey.” 

Mentorship plays a crucial role in the landscape of successful leadership and the mission of Orlean Beeson School of Education’s programs. According to Cleveland, mentoring for life fosters the growth of qualities essential for making a lasting difference in education.

Two figures stand out in Cleveland's career as particularly influential.

“Dr. Jack Farr is one of those who made a lasting impression,” Cleveland says. Farr, who served as Cleveland’s high school principal when he was a student, exemplified leadership with grace while holding firm to expectations. Cleveland recalls how their relationship developed beyond the classroom and office, as Farr later hired him as an administrator at Spain Park High School after becoming superintendent for Hoover City Schools.

Cleveland also speaks fondly of his mentor Jimmie Pearson, his principal at Bottenfield Jr. High School while he was a teacher.

“During that time, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Mr. Pearson developed positive relationships with the faculty and staff and was there for me in ways that went beyond his role as an educator,” Cleveland shares. Pearson’s care was not just professional—it was deeply personal. “He and his wife often visited my mom and dad when my mom was in the hospital, and he would check on me every day.”

For Cleveland, mentorship goes beyond a simple passing of knowledge—it’s about building a foundation for future growth. His time in the doctoral program at Samford, under the guidance of Maurice Persall, and the current leadership of Dean Anna McEwan in the School of Education have all been vital in shaping Cleveland’s leadership philosophy.

“The common denominator among all these leaders is Christ’s model for leadership and positive character traits,” said Cleveland. For Cleveland, mentorship is not just about learning technical skills; it’s about growing into a leader who embodies integrity, empathy and the heart of servant leadership—qualities that influence not just the person being mentored, but the broader community they serve. 

A Mission to Serve

Cleveland will be the first to tell you, his book is short, to the point and devoid of any big words or complicated imagery, rather the work is supplemented with stick figure illustrations. Cleveland says this is because he is not as smart as his other published colleagues, but in actuality, it speaks to the humility in which Cleveland is a servant-leader, mentor and friend. 

“Because I had such a positive experience being a school superintendent in Homewood, thanks in large part to wonderful faculty/staff members, excellent central office administrators and dedicated board members, I decided to write down some commonsense thoughts that I hoped would serve as encouragement and assistance for current and future school superintendents,” said Cleveland. “Those thoughts developed into this book.”

Cleveland offers a final piece of advice to aspiring superintendents: “Always keep the focus on students. Be the leader who removes obstacles, making the path to success smoother for teachers, staff and families. When all stakeholders move in the same direction to support students, true joy in leadership is found.”

So You Want to Be a School Superintendent? is now available for educators, school leaders and anyone interested in understanding the realities of educational leadership. The book provides actionable strategies, real-world experiences and inspiration for those dedicated to making a lasting impact in education and is the author’s sincere love letter to his community and colleagues in need of encouragement and advice in a field widely accepted to be challenging, daunting and immensely rewarding.