District Leadership

Learn more about the work of district-level leaders including superintendents, chief academic officers, and other administrators
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2025 EdWeek Leaders To Learn From
We're excited to reveal our 2025 leaders. These district leaders have shown persistence and creativity as they navigate the challenges facing schools in a rapidly changing world.
Meet the 2025 Leaders

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Tue., March 17, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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Students protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement outside the Pflugerville Justice Center after walking out of their classes, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Pflugerville, Texas.
Students protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement outside the Pflugerville Justice Center after walking out of their classes on Feb. 2, 2026, in Pflugerville, Texas. Student walkouts across the country to protest U.S. immigration enforcement are drawing concerns about safety from school administrators and pushback from some politicians.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP
School & District Management Free Speech Debates Resurface With Student Walkouts Over ICE Raids
As students walk out to protest immigration enforcement tactics, schools face questions about safety and speech.
Evie Blad, February 5, 2026
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5 min read
Three different screenshots of videos from superintendents' creative announcements for a school snow day. Clockwise from left: Montgomery County Public Schools via YouTube, Terry J. Dade via X, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School via Facebook
Gone are the days of kids sitting in front of the TV waiting for their district's name to flash across the screen announcing a snow day. Here are some of our favorite announcements from superintendents who had fun with one of the most visible aspects of their job.
Clockwise from left: Montgomery County Public Schools via YouTube, Terry J. Dade via X, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School via Facebook
School & District Management Five Snow Day Announcements That Broke the Internet (Almost)
Superintendents rapped, danced, and cheered for the home team's playoff success as they announced snow days.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens & Evie Blad, January 26, 2026
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2 min read
Students at Merganthaler Vocational-Technical High School board MTA buses at the end of the school day on Dec. 13, 2024 , in Baltimore. federally funded programs allows students to access resources they might otherwise not get—like tutoring and after-school programs, according to Baltimore Superintendent Sonja Santelises.
Students at Merganthaler Vocational-Technical High School board buses at the end of the school day on Dec. 13, 2024 , in Baltimore. Federally funded programs in the city's schools allow students access to services they might otherwise not get, such as tutoring and after-school programs, Baltimore Superintendent Sonja Santelises said at a recent panel discussion of the finalists for AASA's Superintendent of the Year award.
Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun/TNS
School & District Management How 4 Superintendents Are Bracing for Federal Funding Uncertainty Under Trump
Superintendent of the Year finalists discussed how they're preparing for potential cuts.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, January 16, 2026
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3 min read
A Somali flag, right, flies alongside the United States and Vermont flags outside the Winooski School District building, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Winooski, Vt.
A Somali flag, right, flies alongside the United States and Vermont flags outside the Winooski School District building, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Winooski, Vt. The district's effort to show support for Somali students drew intense backlash.
Amanda Swinhart/AP
School & District Management Q&A Why This Leader Is Willing to Risk Losing His Job to Support Immigrant Students
This small Vermont district defies backlash to support immigrant families.
Ileana Najarro, January 14, 2026
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6 min read
The finalists for superintendent of the year, from left: Roosevelt Nivens, Demetrus Liggins, Sonia Santelises, Heather Perry
The finalists for superintendent of the year, from left: Roosevelt Nivens, Demetrus Liggins, Sonia Santelises, and Heather Perry.
Courtesy of AASA
School & District Management 4 Top Leaders Led Through Change. One Will Be Superintendent of the Year
They've boosted academic outcomes, piloted teacher apprenticeships, and steered through rapid growth.
Evie Blad, December 16, 2025
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3 min read
Image of a worker juggling tasks
DigitalVision Vectors
School & District Management Insights on Superintendents: How They Spend Their Time, Stress Levels, and More
Here's an interactive look at the nation's superintendents by the numbers.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, December 15, 2025
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1 min read
The Enemy of Smart, Strategic Spending Decisions in K-12 Districts: Leadership Churn
School & District Management Video The Enemy of Smart, Strategic Spending Decisions in K-12 Districts: Leadership Churn
The EdWeek Research Center surveyed district leaders on the barriers to long-term thinking.
Sean Cavanagh & CJ Riculan, December 11, 2025
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2:58
Vector illustration on businessman and business woman on a crossroad. Searching of right path. Decision and brainstorming concept.
Liz Yap/Education Week and DigitalVision Vectors
School & District Management Sales & Marketing Insights Free Download: Your Guide to Engaging K-12 Leaders
Engage K-12 leaders with clarity, credibility, and impact.
December 9, 2025
businesswoman building steps. Symbol of success, achievement, ambition, upskills and self development strategy concept
iStock/Getty Images
Equity & Diversity Opinion How to Help More Women Advance to the Superintendency
Despite ambition and talent, not enough female teachers break the glass ceiling as district leaders.
Krista Parent, December 9, 2025
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4 min read
Businesspreson looks at stairs in the door of dollar sign.
iStock/Getty and Education Week
School & District Management Superintendents Think a Lot About Money, But Few Say It's One of Their Strengths
A new survey also highlights how male and female superintendents approach the job differently.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, December 5, 2025
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6 min read
Screenshot 2025 11 18 at 7.49.33 AM
Canva
School & District Management Opinion The 5‑Minute Clarity Reset: How a Small Pause Can Change a Big Decision
Stuck in a spin? This practice can help free an education leader to act.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, December 3, 2025
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5 min read
A team of people collaborate with AI to create policy.
iStock/Getty + Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Q&A How This District Got Students, Teachers, Parents, and Leaders to Agree on AI
One Southern California school system went slower in developing guidelines in order to build buy-in.
Alyson Klein, December 2, 2025
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3 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion Have Politics Hijacked Education Policy?
School boards should be held more accountable to student learning, says this scholar.
Rick Hess, December 2, 2025
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8 min read
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