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When Sarah Yde began searching for a graduate program in educational administration, she approached the decision the same way she approaches leadership today — thoughtfully, strategically and with a clear vision for the future.
Already balancing a full-time career and family responsibilities, Yde knew she needed a program that offered both flexibility and rigor. After researching multiple institutions, comparing options and talking with fellow educators, she found exactly what she was looking for at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
“Some of the key factors that led me to UW-Superior included multiple start dates, add-on licensure pathways, rigorous coursework, accelerated options, affordability and accessibility through online learning,” Yde said.
The Educational Administration program also came highly recommended by a colleague who had recently completed the degree.
“As someone with a full-time, year-round position and a family, UW-Superior offered the flexibility I needed to balance graduate studies with the other important aspects of my life,” she said.
Embracing the Challenge
Like many graduate students, Yde felt a mix of excitement and nerves before starting her first classes. In fact, one of her initial courses was School Law, a class she had heard was among the most challenging in the program.
“As I worked through those preparations, I knew UW-Superior was a worthwhile investment,” Yde said. “I anticipated gaining knowledge and skills that would directly support my future career in educational administration.”
A Supportive Learning Community
Throughout her two years in the program, Yde found that UW-Superior’s faculty consistently challenged and supported students.
“My experiences with both the classes and instructors at UW-Superior were phenomenal throughout my two years in the program,” she said.
Yde also appreciated the level of faculty engagement beyond the classroom. Professors offered interview preparation support and hosted study sessions to help students prepare for the comprehensive exam required for administrative licensure.
“The professors were professional, responsive and genuinely invested in student success,” she said.
Preparing for Leadership
Yde entered the program with a clear goal: develop the knowledge and skills necessary to lead effectively in a variety of educational settings.
When building her degree plan, she intentionally pursued all three licensure pathways offered through the program — PK-12 principal, director of instruction and director of special education and pupil services.
“I wanted a strong foundation in every area so I could best serve students, families and staff,” she said.
Today, that preparation is evident in her work as elementary school principal for Unity School District, a rural Wisconsin district serving approximately 900 students. Her responsibilities extend well beyond the principal’s office. She also serves as the district’s homeless liaison, Title I coordinator, Achievement Gap Reduction coordinator and summer school coordinator.
Given her background with charter schools, she is also helping plan the launch of S.O.A.R. Academy, a grades 9-12 instrumentality charter school scheduled to open in 2027-28.
“Because of the program’s rigorous curriculum and field experiences, I feel prepared to take on diverse leadership responsibilities,” Yde said.
She credits UW-Superior’s combination of academic coursework and hands-on experiences with helping her confidently navigate the many demands of educational leadership.
“The coursework also emphasized research, critical thinking and practical application,” she said. “As a result, I feel confident approaching new challenges as opportunities for growth and meaningful, results-oriented action.”
Undreamed Possibilities
Looking back, Yde believes one of the most valuable aspects of her UW-Superior experience was its grounding in the Wisconsin Administrator Standards.
“Every course encouraged me to think deeply about the kind of leader I wanted to become, the impact I hoped to make and how I could positively influence schools and communities through my work,” she said.
The program not only strengthened her professional skills but also helped clarify her leadership philosophy and long-term goals.
“My experience at UW-Superior clarified my priorities as a leader and brought those standards to life,” Yde said.
As she continues to grow as an educational leader, she remains grateful for the foundation she built at UW-Superior and the opportunities that foundation continues to create.
“As Dr. [Tanya] Skalecki would say, UW-Superior helped me realize ‘undreamed possibilities,’ and I know there are many more ahead,” she said. “The high-quality education I received has given me confidence that my opportunities are limitless and that my impact as an educational leader will continue to grow.”
About the online master’s in educational administration — principal & school leadership licensure at UW-Superior online
UW-Superior’s online Master’s in Educational Administration prepares licensed teachers for principal certification and K-12 school leadership roles — with three specialization tracks (PK-12 Principalship, Director of Instruction, or Director of Special Education and Pupil Services) that meet Wisconsin DPI requirements and can be completed in as few as 12 months. Fully asynchronous coursework is priced the same for in-state and out-of-state students.