Professional Q&A: Angela Grunewald

With a career-long passion for education, Dr. Angela Grunewald now serves as superintendent for Edmond Public Schools (EPS). She’s the first female superintendent in the district’s history. 

Q: Do you live in Edmond, work in Edmond, or both?

A: This is my 15th year working for Edmond Schools. I was a principal for eight years, serving at both Charles Haskell Elementary and Sequoyah Middle Schools. I later served as a district administrator in Edmond for five years before being named the superintendent. This is my second year as superintendent of schools. I live in the Edmond Public Schools district but not in Edmond city limits. I have lived here for five years and consider Edmond my home.

Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?

A: I grew up in Woodward, Oklahoma. After graduating from Woodward High School, I went to college at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva to get my degree in elementary education. I later got my master’s degree in school administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and ten years ago, I received a doctorate in school leadership from Oklahoma State University.

Q: What did you do before your time at Edmond Public Schools?

A: I was a classroom teacher for 14 years teaching in Snyder, Leedey, and El Reno, Oklahoma. I taught various grades in each district, ranging from second to eighth grade. Teaching on a middle school team was some of my best years as a teacher. However, teaching fifth-grade writing ranked as one of my favorite subjects to teach.

Q: How did you get involved with the Edmond Public Schools district?

A: I got my administrative certificate only because my late husband insisted that I might want it one day. All I ever wanted to do was teach. However, as my personal children were getting older, I thought I would just see what was out there as far as principal jobs. I was living and teaching in El Reno, where my late husband was the school superintendent. I knew I couldn’t be a principal for him, so I began looking for jobs within driving range. I truly believe it was God’s intervention that I landed a job as the assistant principal at Charles Haskell, where I served for six months before moving into the principalship there.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I LOVE my job. EPS has the most amazing administrative team that makes coming to work fun every day. I love planning and working on projects for implementation that will improve student learning and experiences, as well as ideas that support teachers and employees. I completely understand that a teacher is the most influential person in the education of a child. While I am no longer in the role of a teacher, it is now my job to make sure our teachers have everything they need to serve our students and provide a first-class educational experience for them.

Q: What’s something you’re passionate about in your personal life?

A:  While most of my time after 5 p.m. is filled with attending EPS athletic and fine art events, my “free” time is spent visiting our granddaughters, attending OSU games and events, or serving at our church. All three of these activities are very important to my family.

Q: What do you like about Edmond?

A: I have heard it said that Edmond is the biggest small town around. That is what I love about Edmond. All of the amenities, such as fun places to eat and shop, are available because Edmond is a large city. However, Edmond most definitely has the feel of a small town where neighbor helps neighbor, and you see friends everywhere you go.

Q: What is your number one tip for other professionals, either for work or life in general?

A: I have two tips that I often give to aspiring leaders. One, READ! Maybe this is the teacher in me, but if you want to be a strong leader, you need to be well-read not only in leadership books but also in publications that keep you current on events and trends. Second, remember to put people first. As a leader, you are only here because of the people. They are counting on you to lead them well.