Dr. Theresa Daem is a former California school superintendent, serving six years as Superintendent of the San Bruno Park School District and nine years as Superintendent of the Laguna Beach Unified School District.  In 2009, she founded the National Association of School Superintendents (NASS), an organization focused on the unique challenges and district needs of America’s top educational leaders; she was executive director until July 30, 2016, and continues to actively support the organization. According to Daem, “Quality teachers are the essence of quality education, but they truly flourish in great districts, and these are the result of great leadership.” Daem began her career as a high school English teacher and served in numerous school district administrative positions before assuming the top district leadership role. She has written more than 100 articles on successful school district leadership and presented at numerous professional gatherings and meetings. She has also been an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University, a School Support Team Leader for the Nevada Department of Education and a member of numerous boards and advisory groups. She earned her B.S. Degree and her M.S. Degree from Eastern Montana University and her doctorate from the University of Southern California.