Meet Susan
Susan believes life is an adventure and challenges are an opportunity for growth. She also believes in the importance of giving back to her community and is a member of several local service organizations and volunteers her time and provides professional support to a local school for autistic students. Susan and her husband enjoy exploring new travel venues and spending time with their grandchildren.
Susan Belenardo, Ed.D.
University of California Irvine
My Areas of Expertise:
Leadership at the superintendent, administrator, and teacher level
Professional coaching and mentoring at all levels
Strategic planning and innovation
Designing equitable programs for diverse student needs
Building effective leadership and governance teams
Overcoming barriers to change
Program design and development
My Credentials:
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, University of California, Irvine
M.S. in Educational Counseling
Certificates to hold school administrative positions
Professor of Educational Administration at the University of California, Irvine – Division of Continuing Education
Program Director for the Preliminary Administrative Credential Program, University of California, Irvine – Division of Continuing Education
Adjunct Faculty Educational Administration, National University
Faculty member Education Innovation Alliance – Chief Innovation Officer Certificate Program
Certified educational leadership coach
Coach to over 50 administrators in California
Former Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Director, Principal and Teacher in several school districts in California
Annual presenter to School Employers Association of California Negotiators Certification Program
A Personal Note from Susan:
I have the good fortune to live a life balanced with personal and professional adventures. Our family has traveled extensively both internationally and locally. I have had the opportunity to serve at all levels of responsibility in several K-12 school districts and recently retired after serving over eight years as a school district superintendent. I am continuing my service in education as a university professor and program director in Educational Leadership.
My husband has recently retired from his business in providing electro-mechanical engineering consultation for innovative solutions to companies both locally and internationally. We have two grown children established in their own careers in education. Our daughter is an Anthropology instructor in higher education and our son is an academic support teacher at an American school in Shanghai, China.
Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to coach both beginning and experienced administrators and have provided training and support for developing coaching programs for both virtual and classroom environments. My experience also includes presentations on leadership planning, preparing for disruptions in the workplace, and designing 21st Century learning environments. Most recently, I have also had the opportunity to coach innovative district leaders in designing systems that support the digital transformation in K-12 school districts.
Through coaching I strive to empower others to further develop their leadership skills, explore possibilities in developing solutions, and design new ways of being and doing. Whether coaching is focused on mediating, mentoring, or providing technical support, my goal is to build a relationship based on trust to not only achieve solutions to today’s challenges but to also support ongoing personal and professional growth and development. I believe in the importance of living and leading with authenticity, building relationships, and aligning your daily work to your personal values and goals.