Beyond the Boardroom Amie Carter, Sonoma County superintendent of schools
A mie Carter began building a foundation of leadership in education when she worked as a classroom teacher. Navigating the dynamic relationships between coworkers, students and parents helped prepare Carter for the ins and outs of leading teams, mitigating crises and decision making that would lead to her 2022 election as Sonoma County’s next superintendent of schools. Carter's experience in the classroom also gives her a special lens while making policies or setting expectations that could affect faculty—she can empathize with all the challenges and moving parts educators deal with on a daily basis. “As a teacher, I became an expert multitasker, skilled negotiator and master of staying calm while 30 students are talking, moving and needing something different—all at once,” says Carter. With the shifting landscape in Washington, D.C., Carter has her work cut out for her, but she tries to lead with empathy and is excited to tackle new challenges and hopeful in creating new opportunities for supporting students, empowering educators and strengthening school communities. For more information on the Sonoma County Office of Education visit scoe.org . By Rosie Padilla
How would you describe your leadership style? In 2025, school leaders are navigating one of the most complex educational landscapes in recent memory—add to that challenge that we have 40 districts here in Sonoma County and the average tenure of [district] superintendents is three years. Frequent changes in leadership can disrupt the school district's stability and culture, impacting students' academic performance. Because of the complexity of what schools face, it is critical to empower teacher leaders, site teams and support staff to make decisions I always stress the importance of safety, access and opportunity. For Sonoma County students, that means they are learning in an environment that prioritizes their physical and psychological safety, and that they have equitable access to high-quality learning that gives them the opportunity to pursue their dreams. What are three things our readers should know about the education system in Sonoma County? close to the work, while maintaining a clear, shared vision from the top. What have been some of your priorities since being elected? One of our major areas of focus is improving Sonoma County’s literacy rates, particularly for third graders. In our county, just over 40% of third graders are proficient in reading at grade level. Second, fewer students are attending our schools, mostly due to demographic reasons. And this creates funding challenges for most of our school districts. Santa Rosa City Schools, the largest district in Sonoma County, is closing two elementary schools this year, plus another next year, as well as reconfiguring several middle school and high school campuses as it seeks to make significant reductions in expenditures. Do you miss teaching? The best part of teaching, for me, is witnessing those moments when a student truly connects with what they're learning—when something clicks and their confidence grows right in front of you. What makes you excited to get up in the morning? I’m excited about ongoing work to embed the science of reading into literacy instruction in our schools. Early results from last school year are promising. We trained about 120 teachers and have another 130 signed up for this year. Another area we’re prioritizing is school culture and student safety. We have a team at the county office devoted to helping schools improve students' sense of belonging and safety, which we know are linked to better academic outcomes. Describe the happiest moment of your life. I got married last year. I still can’t quite put into words how happy I was on my wedding day. The joy I felt wasn’t just about the big party we were throwing, it was about the people—our families and friends— gathered around, surrounding us with so much love and support it felt almost tangible. I loved having my five daughters there and my two grandchildren. It was more than a wedding—it was a celebration of family bonds, and of love that arrives in its own time. Favorite summer activity? Mountain biking in Sonoma County’s regional parks or golfing any of Sonoma county’s 17 golf courses.
58 NorthBaybiz
August 2025
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