In her first year as superintendent of the Atlanta Public Schools, Beverly Hall encountered what she describes as the nearly universal disbelief that poor children of color can achieve high levels of learning. This chapter recounts how she confronted this and other obstacles and challenges as the new leader of the Atlanta Public Schools. Hall is now in her seventh year in Atlanta. The length of her tenure is itself an indicator of her success. As she reflects back on her years there, she identifies some important lessons for other superintendents and boards in how to confront critical obstacles, like the disbelief that poor, minority children can learn at high levels: (1) Developing the capacity of teachers and principals; (2) Staying the course; (3) Understanding that self-interest is a powerful motivator; and (4) Taking pride in the success of others. ["Confronting the Universal Disbelief that Poor Children Can Achieve at High Levels" was written with Beverly Hall.]