District Leadership
Learn more about the work of district-level leaders including superintendents, chief academic officers, and other administrators
2024 EdWeek Leaders To Learn From
We're excited to reveal our 2024 honorees. These district leaders have shown persistence and creativity as they navigate the challenges facing schools in a rapidly changing world.
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Law & Courts
When Blocking Social Media Critics, School Officials Have Protections, Supreme Court Says
The court said public officials' own pages may be "state action," but only when they are exercising government authority.
School & District Management
Opinion
The Single Most Effective Thing Administrators Can Do: Shut Up and Listen
By listening deeply, administrators can create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and can challenge assumptions.
School & District Management
Advice From 8 Women Superintendents for Those Following in Their Footsteps
Women are underrepresented in the superintendent ranks, and can face a longer road to get to K-12's top job.
School Climate & Safety
Want to Tackle Attendance Apathy? Students Will Show You How
There’s no one-shot solution to chronic absenteeism, but listening to students is a good way to begin.
Classroom Technology
AI Policies Should Leave Room for Teachers and Students to Mess Up, Superintendents Say
Superintendents whose districts have crafted AI policies discussed establishing guardrails and encouraging the AI-hesitant to try it out.
School & District Management
Most Superintendents Try to Avoid Politics. This Group Encourages Them to Lean In
Superintendents increasingly face politically tricky situations. A new collaborative hopes to support them.
School & District Management
Superintendent of the Year Focuses on How to ‘Do More’ in Minnesota
The 2024 winner of the national honor didn't want to spend pandemic relief funds "in the way that we’ve always spent our money."
Families & the Community
Leader To Learn From
Absenteeism Was a Big Problem in This District. A New Strategy Is Getting Results
Sharon Bradley remembers how it felt to miss school for reasons outside her control.
School & District Management
Leader To Learn From
This Leader Partners With Students to Build a More Sustainable Future for Her District
Under LeeAnn Kittle's leadership, the Denver district has implemented an ambitious climate action plan.
IT Infrastructure & Management
Leader To Learn From
Through Wars, Tornadoes, and Cyberattacks, He's a Guardian of Student Privacy
Jun Kim, the technology director in Moore, Okla., works to make the most of innovations—without endangering student data.
School & District Management
Leader To Learn From
With a Steady Hand, a Superintendent Guides Her District Through Big Changes
When Aleesia Johnson became superintendent of the Indianapolis schools, Indiana’s largest district needed much more than a patch job.
Student Achievement
Leader To Learn From
An Unorthodox Plan to Pay Students to Write Curriculum Is Raising Achievement
For Kate Maxlow, the director of curriculum in Hampton City, Va., engaging students and improving academic achievement go hand in hand.
Families & the Community
Leader To Learn From
A Former Teacher Turns Classroom Prowess Into Partnerships With Families
Ana Pasarella maximizes her community's assets to put students first.
School & District Management
Q&A
This Leader Channeled Students' Climate Anxiety Into Action. See How
LeeAnn Kittle partnered with student advocates to champion environmental sustainability in Denver's public schools.