kparent

Full Name
Krista Parent
First Name
Krista
Last Name
Parent
Affiliation
Instructor
Title
Courtesy Lecturer
Additional Title
Deputy Executive Director for the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA), Co-Director of the UO Educational Leadership licensure program
Office
170 Ed
Departments
College of Education
Educational Leadership
Affiliated Departments
Educational Leadership
Profile Section
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
2013 Outstanding Public Career Award, Lane Council of Governments
2012 Bev Gladder Mentorship Award, COSA
2011 Women in School Leadership Award, AASA
2009 Juror, Brock International Prize in Education
2007 National Superintendent of the Year, AASA
2007 Oregon Superintendent of the Year, COSA
2007 Outstanding Young Alumna, University of Oregon
2006 Excellence in Educational Leadership Award, UCEA 
2006 Rotary’s Presidential Citation, CG Rotary 
2006 Educational Excellence Award, University of Oregon
2006 Chamber of Commerce Partnership Award
2005 Rotary Club Vocational Service Award
2004 Becky L. Sisley Award, University of Oregon
2004 Women of Distinction Award, Soroptimist Society
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.  

Updated

Member for

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