Krista Parent
Biography
Dr. Parent, Deputy Executive Director for the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) and Co-Director of the UO Educational Leadership licensure program, earned her DEd from the University of Oregon in 2004, as well as a Master’s degree in 1992, and Bachelor’s degree in 1984. While earning her Bachelor’s degree, Dr. Parent was a four-year starter on the UO softball team.
Dr. Parent is a long-time educator, first as a teacher, and later in her career, a school and district level K-12 administrator. She served in one Oregon school district for 33 years, the last 18 years as the Superintendent. Krista was named the 2007 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and a Distinguished National Superintendent of the Year in 2014 by the National Association of School Superintendents (NASS). Krista’s work has focused on “teaching and learning” at the core, developing deep, embedded systems so all students are supported and successful in their learning.
Dr. Parent has taught many graduate level courses leading to administrator licensure over several decades. As a leader, Dr. Parent is known for her open-door, roll-up-her-sleeves work style. Dr. Parent supports more than 200 superintendents on all matters related to district leadership, and she has mentored numerous women and other aspiring leaders into the role of superintendent. She is also the mother of two young adults that have guided her relentless focus on creating learning environments that work for all students.
Education
D.Ed., 2004, University of Oregon, Educational Leadership
M.Ed., 1992, University of Oregon, Educational Administration
B.S., 1984, University of Oregon, Human Development and Performance
Standard Superintendent License, 2001, University of Oregon
Standard Administrative License, 1995, University of Oregon
Standard Teaching License, 1987, University of Oregon
Honors and Awards
Publications
The Chalkboard Project. (2016). Leading for Learning, Distinguished Leaders Council.
Parent, K. (2010). Navigating the Labyrinth, Guest Reaction, The School Administrator, AASA.
Parent, K. (2009). Leaders as Communicators and Diplomats, Book Chapter, Corwin Press.
Parent, K. (2009). Learning from the Best, Book Chapter, Corwin Press.
Parent, K. (2004). Women in the Oregon Superintendency, University of Oregon.
Parent, K. (2001) “Hustle While You Wait.” OWSLN, October, Portland, Oregon.
Research
Dr. Parent’s focus area of research began with her doctoral work at the University of Oregon where she studied the barriers keeping women from aspiring to the superintendent level in the K-12 education system. When she first became a superintendent in 2001, there were 12 women superintendents out of 216. Women are still grossly underrepresented in the key leadership role for K-12 school districts, not just in Oregon, but across the country.
Nearly two decades later, Dr. Parent has collaborated with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Oregon Commission of Women (OCFW) to conduct a second study on women in the Oregon Superintendency titled “Just Not Ready for a Female: An Examination of the Inequities in Oregon’ Superintendency.” Dr. Parent currently facilitates COSA’s Women Superintendent Network as well as Academy Networks for aspiring leaders, new superintendents and leaders that identify in the LGBTQ+ community.