Beyond the Title: 12 Questions with Joe Gothard

Joe Gothard

Superintendent, Madison Metropolitan School District

Dr. Joe Gothard is a Madison native with deep roots in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). An MMSD alum, he attended Elvehjem Elementary, Sennett Middle, and La Follette High School. With over 30 years in public education, Dr. Gothard began his career as a biology teacher at La Follette and has since served in various roles, including principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS). During his tenure at SPPS, he led initiatives in early learning, literacy, equity, and language access, including the creation of the East African Elementary Magnet School, a pioneering community-led project.

01Built to Last starts with a strong foundation. What is the foundation your leadership is built on, and how do you return to it when things get shaky?

My leadership foundation is built from two different groups. The first contains all of the educators and leaders I have learned from directly or admired from afar. We are connected more than ever today, and watching leaders around the world navigate conflict and complexity is a gift.

I am also a longtime football and basketball coach. So much of my early days as an educator were attached to coaching youth on the east side and then at La Follette High School. Studying the culture of how successful coaches build great teams continues to inspire me. For me, there are many connections between leading a school district and calling a play on 4th and goal. The outcomes of decisions are sometimes a painful reality and, for me, a chance to learn, grow, and improve.

02Where do you come from, and how do your roots keep you steady when leadership gets hard?

I was raised by a single mother on the east side of Madison. We knew the families in our neighborhood and we looked out for each other. The adults and coaches who supported me as a youth at the East YMCA (now the Lussier Family East YMCA) and through MSCR played a pivotal role in creating a strong foundation that has never left me.

03What's a piece of advice that has stood the test of time for you, the kind you still come back to years later?

Learn and remember people's names. If you do not know how to pronounce a name, politely ask.

04What's a book, quote, lyric, or scripture that has stayed with you and shaped how you lead or live?

Grounded in the Parable of the River, I balance managing urgent day-to-day challenges with investigating upstream root causes to create lasting solutions.

05What's something you've had to rebuild after it broke or fell apart, and what did that teach you about building things that last?

Trust is earned through deep, active listening. In my past, I've learned that rebuilding broken trust requires genuine empathy, taking the time to understand an individual's perspective alongside who they are as a person.

06What's one question every leader should ask if they want to build something that outlasts them, and why?

Are we building a culture of shared ownership, or are we building a system dependent on us?

I will not be the Superintendent of MMSD in 25 years. Decisions I make today must be long lasting and have a positive impact whether or not I am the leader.

07Who are you actively preparing to carry this work forward, and what are you doing to set them up to succeed without you?

I don't feel there is any one answer to this. Some people use the word mentor when it comes to supporting others. I simply make myself available. I once had a mentor who shared the following: “Joe, I wish you all the best and I will not reach out to you. However, you can call me anytime and I will pick up.”

I do reach out to plenty of other leaders to check in on them, perhaps offer congratulations, or learn more about a situation they are navigating. Over the years I have taken great pride in supporting emerging teachers and education leaders.

08When leadership feels heavy, what do you turn to (music, travel, culture, faith) that restores you and keeps you feeling like yourself?

I enjoy nothing more than preparing a multi-step, complex recipe and trying something new. I am also a Wisconsin sports fan, and many times I protect my calendar to make sure I am able to enjoy those moments.

09When you think about the legacy you want to leave, what do you hope still stands long after you've moved on?

Beyond individual programs or initiatives, the goal is a resilient system where every student is seen and valued, resources flow equitably by design, and the community feels true co-ownership over the district's future.

10What's a small daily habit or discipline that has compounded into something meaningful over time?

I wake up early, often before 4:00 AM, to exercise and enjoy quiet time for reading and writing before starting the workday.

11What's a moment in your life where the music playing in the background ended up meaning more than you expected, a song that showed up right when you needed it, or made an ordinary moment stick with you?

Every now and then, hearing a children's song from a show or book instantly brings my kids to mind. It's a wonderful reminder to slow down and stay present with the people who matter most, and we love using those songs to share special memories together.

12What's a tradition in your life or family that you hope lasts for generations?

One of our most cherished family traditions is standing together on the shore, toes in the sand, watching the sunset. It's a reminder to slow down, stay present, and appreciate the moments and people that matter most.