Contact Us
www.acsa.org
© 2023 Association of California School Administrators
Maureen Latham, second from left, focuses on engaging adult learners in discovering their biases, skills and strengths in order to recognize and support the needs of students.
Latham passionate about preparing new school leaders
June 26, 2023
Name: Maureen Latham
Award: Professor of Education of the Year
Title: Assistant Professor and Superintendent in Residence, Azusa Pacific University School of Education
ACSA highlights: Member since 1998; ACSA Region 19 Ambassador, 2016-present; presenter at ACSA Principals Academy, 2014-17.
Curiosity, knowledge, respect and kindness drive Maureen Latham’s dedication to education. Her commitment to continuously improving the learning process has been present throughout her career, beginning in 1972 as a teacher in St. Louis, Mo., to 1998 when she accepted an assistant principal position at Yucaipa High School, to serving as superintendent of Beaumont USD until her retirement from administration in 2016. This was only another beginning, however, as she joined the Azusa Pacific University School of Education as assistant professor and superintendent in residence in order to help educate, prepare and mentor the next generation of school leaders.
Latham believes an effective learning environment — promoted and implemented by the adults leading it — is key to the academic success of every student. To this end, she focuses on engaging adult learners in discovering their biases, skills and strengths in order to recognize and support the needs of students. Two courses she teaches at APU are Diversity & Equity in Education and Educational Policy: Analysis, Praxis & Reform, challenging doctoral students to participate in self-examination and self-reflection as well as to evaluate and respond to current data and trends. Beyond the classroom, she serves on dissertation committees and presents district-level professional development sessions, in addition to acting as an APU Diversity Ambassador, serving on the Redlands PTA and Beaumont USD BEST Scholarship Foundation and supporting members as an ACSA Ambassador.
Over more than 50 years in education, Latham has also served on community tasks forces and advisory committees, and been honored with awards including this year’s ACSA State Professor of Education of the Year, Region 19 Superintendent of the Year in 2016 and ACSA State Curriculum and Instruction Administrator of the Year in 2010.
To Latham, there is no “enough” when it comes to innovating, improving and transforming the process of learning, from seeking the latest research and techniques to earning the trust of a parent, teacher or community.
“Dr. Latham is a remarkable educator in her hands-on connection with people (in our case, our doctoral students), parallel with her insightful and decisive leadership rooted in her breadth of executive-level experiences,” wrote Ann Fitzgerald Henck, dean and professor of the Azusa Pacific University School of Education. “Her passion for excellence in education is a commitment at all levels — policy, personnel, community members, parents, students, teachers and executive team. This passion is infectious for our students who learn from her knowledge and generosity of support.”
What’s your favorite book or quote on leadership?
The most meaningful books I revere for my personal development are from the work of the Arbinger Institute, “The Anatomy of Peace” (2008) and “Leadership and Self-deception” (2010). I also rely on “Discover Your True North” (2015) by Bill George, especially when facing a challenging decision.
The most applicable books on leadership development are from the works of Kouzes and Posner, with “The Truth About Leadership” (2010) being the most succinct and insightful from their extensive research and 360 degree inventories research.
The most impactful books I recommend for all ACSA members and educators are “Caste: The origins of our discontents” by Isabell Wilkerson (2020) and “The Sum of Us: What racism costs everyone and how we can prosper together” by Heather McGee (2021).
“Caste” is a challenging read because of the content. Dr. Wilkerson masterfully details the explicit foundations of systemic racism throughout the history of the United States and supports the claims with primary source document citations and illustrations. She presents the “Eight Pillars of Caste” and asks readers to evaluate for themselves whether the United States promulgates a racial caste system.
“The Sum of Us” provides tremendous insight into the reasons for the polarization we are experiencing and the racial hierarchy that prompts the culture wars and extreme positions politically and economically. Heather McGhee is an attorney/economist and illustrates the paradigm of a “zero sum game,” (if you gain something, then I must lose something), rather than embracing a paradigm of “diversity dividends” (where collectively, all citizens achieve and benefit from policy decisions).
I strongly encourage my ACSA colleagues to read both books and invest personal introspection and reflection on the content presented. Further, I suggest that ACSA colleagues convene book studies and informal discussion groups to discuss deeply the implications of the content presented and engage in discussions for the courageous action needed as educational leaders to move beyond the artificially constructed racial hierarchy and forward in embracing the strength and benefit of our historically diverse multiracial, multicultural country.
What’s your best strategy for work/life balance?
I feel the best strategy for balance is to be intentional about how you schedule your time. For educational leaders to be effective in their work, I believe their choices have to reflect their values and it will be evident by the time you dedicate for the important aspects in your life: family, health and professional responsibilities.
What are you proudest of accomplishing?
I am appreciative of the teaching and administrative experiences that illuminated the essence of what constitutes a Learning Organization as opposed to an “education system.” I am most proud that I facilitated that understanding in the Beaumont USD and that it is embedded in the culture of the district and Beaumont community. I continue to facilitate that understanding in my classes at Azusa Pacific University because I believe it is an orientation that is dynamic, creative, and has unlimited possibilities for students, families, and communities to thrive.
How has ACSA supported you in your career?
ACSA has been a professional partner throughout my career. The leaders who are ACSA members possess core values that serve to “elevate the other” and embrace the notion that the success of my colleague is my success as well. ACSA has evolved with the needs of California administrators and has been the preeminent organization to take risks and respond quickly to the dynamic factors that affect — and threaten — public education.
2023 Professor of Education of the Year Maureen Latham.