Ann Denlinger’s path to entering the public educator arena was primarily a function of the times.

Born and raised in Fuquay-Varina, she graduated from high school in the early 1960s. At that time, there weren’t many options in the career world for women to pursue.

“They were mostly teachers,” Denlinger, president of the Wake Education Partnership explains.

After high school, Denlinger earned an associate of arts degree from Peace College. Since then, she has obtained both a master’s degree and doctorate from Campbell University.

“My mother was trained as a teacher and I guess that influenced me as well,” she said. “I just always assumed that was what I would do.”

A natural course

During the past 40 years of her career, she has gone from teacher to principal to superintendent and, finally, to becoming president of the Wake Education Partnership in May.

The former superintendent of Durham Public Schools, Denlinger is one of the longest-serving superintendents in North Carolina. Immediately before taking on her new position, Denlinger served as a senior associate at the Schlechty Center for Leadership and School Reform.

“It was really a great career, I learned a lot and I think I made a difference in a lot of children’s lives,” Denlinger says. “At least, I hope I did.

“I found that I had the ability to lead people and continued to look for an opportunity to make a broader impact.”

Evolving over the years, Denlinger describes her leadership style as participatory and team-oriented, tending to lead by example. “It’s important to me that people can see by virtue of what I do and how I spend my time, what I think is important,” she says. “Certain things are non-negotiable— like truth and honesty.”

Denlinger isn’t the only one who realized her knack for leadership and in 2000, she was named the first woman N.C. Superintendent of the Year. She is the recipient of the Durham Chamber of Commerce Civic Honor Award and the Jay Robinson Leadership Award.

A unique role

In her current role, Denlinger is helping achieve much of her No. 1 goal. “The thing that I am passionate about is ensuring that every child is provided a high quality education,” she explains. “It’s a chance to give back really and to work with really wonderful people.”

Though there are many things Denlinger loves about being president of the Partnership, a particular highlight is the people whom she gets to interact with every day.

“Most of my time is spent with leaders in our community who are passionate about our schools,” she explains. “I get an opportunity to work with these people and learn from them. Then I get to turn my experience into action.”

A word from the wise

Denlinger urges young women to recognize their innate capacity to lead. “Be willing to step out there and use that capacity for the betterment of your community,” she says. “I think that having women in leadership roles is a unique opportunity.

“Don’t underestimate. Look for opportunities for for growth and contribution.”

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