Leading for Results: How Shared Leadership Transformed Our Schools

September 19, 2025

The Promise-Keeper blog series is part of AASA's “Promise in Action” back-to-school campaign, celebrating ܲAVƵmembers who are delivering on the commitments they make to their school communities through courageous decisions, transparent leadership, and student-centered action.


When I reflect on the progress we’ve made in Warren County Schools, it comes down to one word: leadership. Not leadership by title, but leadership by action—shared, intentional, and grounded in relationships.
Warren County Christopher Harris
Superintendent Christopher Harris visits classrooms to engage with students at Warren County Schools (Ga.)

Over the past few years, we’ve made leadership development the foundation of our work, guided by our R4 Framework: Rigor—Relevance—Relationships—Results. We expect rigorous teaching and learning, relevant to students’ lives, grounded in strong relationships, and leading to measurable results. The results speak for themselves:

  • Higher 3rd-grade reading scores
  • Stronger family connections at the middle school level
  • A 100% graduation rate at the high school level
Leadership Beyond Titles

We believe leadership isn’t limited to principals or administrators. Every staff member—paraprofessionals, counselors, instructional aides, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, and custodians—has the capacity to lead.

By providing training in communication, problem-solving, and collaboration, we’ve seen staff step into leadership in ways that directly benefit students. For example, paraprofessionals have taken the lead in coordinating intervention groups, and transportation staff have built mentoring relationships that improve attendance and morale. These moments, multiplied across our district, are transforming outcomes.

A Shift in Culture

When leadership is shared, ownership grows. Staff no longer wait for directives—they create solutions, support one another, and celebrate each other’s wins. Our culture is now one where everyone feels responsible for student success and equipped to contribute to it.

We believe leadership isn’t limited to principals or administrators. Every staff member—paraprofessionals, counselors, instructional aides, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, and custodians—has the capacity to lead.

Advice for Other Superintendents

For my fellow superintendents looking to build a culture of leadership across multiple schools, I’d share three key pieces of advice:

  1. Start with relationships. People step into leadership roles when they know they’re valued.
  2. Offer role-specific training. Equip staff in every position to lead within their domain.
  3. Celebrate leadership publicly. Recognition inspires others to step up.

Our transformation didn’t happen overnight, but by making leadership a shared responsibility—and aligning it with rigor, relevance, relationships, and results—we’ve built schools where staff at every level feel empowered to lead, innovate, and make a difference. When that happens, progress follows naturally academic, cultural, and community wide.

 

Warren County Schools in Georgia
Warren County Schools (Ga.)
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