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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Dr. April Brooks, the director of athletics for Jefferson County Public Schools, (center) watches a boy’s varsity basketball game at Jeffersontown High School in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Dr. April Brooks, director of athletics for Jefferson County Public Schools (center), watches a boys’ varsity basketball game at Jeffersontown High School in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 9, 2026.
Madeleine Hordinski for Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement Leader To Learn From Meet the ‘Sports Lady’ Reenergizing Her District's Athletics
This athletics leader is working to reverse post-pandemic declines, especially for girls.
Elizabeth Heubeck, February 9, 2026
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11 min read
Executive Director of Talent Acquisition for Knox County Schools, Alex Moseman, leads a staffing committee meeting with principals and district leaders at Cedar Bluff Elementary in Knoxville, TN on Jan. 12, 2026.
Alex Moseman, executive director of talent acquisition for Knox County Schools, leads a staffing committee meeting with principals and district leaders at Cedar Bluff Elementary School in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 12, 2026.
Shawn Poynter for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Q&A This District Cracked the Nut on Fully Staffed Schools. Here’s How
Knox County streamlined hiring and empowered principals to beat teacher shortages.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, February 9, 2026
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5 min read
Dr. April Brooks, the director of athletics for Jefferson County Public Schools, leads a clinic at Medora Elementary School in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Dr. April Brooks, director of athletics for Jefferson County Public Schools, leads a clinic at Medora Elementary School in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 9, 2026.
Madeleine Hordinski for Education Week
Families & the Community Q&A Youth Sports Can Turn Toxic. This District Focuses on Prevention
As sideline behavior worsens, athletic leaders focus on prevention, safety, and resetting expectations.
Elizabeth Heubeck, February 9, 2026
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4 min read
District poses for a portrait at the Garden Cafe in Phoenix, Arizona, on Jan 21, 2026.
Cory Alexander, child nutrition director for Osborn School District, poses for a portrait at the Garden Cafe in Phoenix on Jan. 21, 2026.
Adriana Zehbrauskas for Education Week
School & District Management Q&A How a Leader Developed Farm-to-Table School Lunches Without Breaking the Bank
An Arizona school nutrition director discusses how districts can overcome logistical hurdles and negotiate prices.
Sarah Schwartz, February 9, 2026
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5 min read
Portrait of Laurie Lehman in the classroom at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on January 23, 2026.
Laurie Lehman, the esports manager for New Mexico's Albuquerque Public Schools, visits La Cueva High School on January 23, 2026.
Ramsay de Give for Education Week
School & District Management Leader To Learn From How This Leader Uses Gaming to Change Students’ Lives
Laurie Lehman helped her district see the power of esports to illuminate new career paths for students.
Olina Banerji, February 9, 2026
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12 min read
Laurie Lehman, esports district manager for Albuquerque Public Schools, speaks with Tremayne Webb, esports coordinator at Del Norte High School in Albuquerque, N.M., on January 23, 2026.
Laurie Lehman, the esports district manager for New Mexico's Albuquerque Public Schools, speaks with Tremayne Webb, an esports coordinator, at Del Norte High School on January 23, 2026.
Ramsay de Give for Education Week
School & District Management Q&A 'Esports Are a Game-Changer': How This Leader Got Buy-in for Student Gaming
How one district leader turned esports into an opportunity for more than 1,500 students.
Olina Banerji, February 9, 2026
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4 min read
Elizabeth Stringer-Nunley, English Learner lead for Galax City Public Schools, works a jigsaw puzzle with students at Galax High School on Monday Jan. 12, 2026.
Elizabeth Stringer-Nunley, English-learner lead for Galax City Public Schools, works a jigsaw puzzle with students at Galax High School on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.
Kate Medley for Education Week
English Learners Leader To Learn From How One Rural District Used College Students to Keep English Learners in School
This leader's mentorship program with a local university has helped rural English learners at risk of dropping out.
Lauraine Langreo, February 9, 2026
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13 min read
LTLF 2026 collage: Leaders to Learn From
Meet the Leaders Special Report 2026 EdWeek Leaders To Learn From
Introducing our 2026 EdWeek Leaders To Learn From, highlighting innovative district leaders.
February 9, 2026
Executive Director of Talent Acquisition for Knox County Schools, Alex Moseman, checks in with some students in Angela Childers’ special education class after a staffing committee meeting at Cedar Bluff Elementary in Knoxville, TN, on Jan. 12, 2026.
Alex Moseman, executive director of talent acquisition for Knox County Schools, checks in with students in Angela Childers’ special education class after a staffing committee meeting at Cedar Bluff Elementary School in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 12, 2026.
Shawn Poynter for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Leader To Learn From The ‘Off-Season’ That Helps This HR Director Fully Staff Schools
Knox County reimagined teacher hiring and is starting each year fully staffed.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, February 9, 2026
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7 min read
Phoenix, Ariz., January 21,2026:Cory Alexander, Child Nutrition Director at Osborn School District, meets with the middle school culinary team and Theresa Mazza (glasses, Chef/ Nutrition Ed) and Maddie Furey at the garden Cafe in Phoenix, Arizona, on Jan 21,2026. They met to go over the “Appley Ever After Tres Leches Baked French Toast with Cinnamon Thyme Apples” dish for the Feeding the Future contest.
Cory Alexander, child nutrition director for Osborn School District, meets with the middle school culinary team, chef Theresa Mazza and Maddie Furey at the Garden Cafe in Phoenix, on Jan. 21, 2026.
Adriana Zehbrauskas for Education Week
School & District Management Leader To Learn From How One Arizona District Turned School Cafeterias Into Scratch Kitchens
Osborn schools built a scratch-cooked, local lunch program—one careful step at a time.
Sarah Schwartz, February 9, 2026
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10 min read
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
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