Meet the Leaders

Each year, Education Week identifies some of the nation’s most exceptional school district leaders in its Leaders To Learn From report and shines a spotlight on their extraordinary impact on the success of educators and students.

2023 Honorees

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2023 Leaders To Learn From
These district leaders have shown persistence and creativity as they navigate the challenges facing schools in an increasingly diverse, rapidly changing world.
Meet the 2023 Leaders

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Anthony Vargas judges projects presented by 5th grade students at Baldwin Intermediate School in Manassas, Va., on Dec. 6, 2022.
Anthony Vargas judges projects presented by 5th grade students at Baldwin Intermediate School in Manassas, Va.
Valerie Plesch for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Leader To Learn From A Leader Who's Busting Down Barriers to Gifted Education
Anthony Vargas has nearly doubled the share of poor and Hispanic students in gifted education in Manassas, Va.
Elizabeth Heubeck, February 6, 2023
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8 min read
Andria Amador, Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services for Boston Public Schools, holds out a bucket to Veda Peteet, 3, Zara Peteet, 5, and Tom Peteet, 40, while hosting a table at Building Balance, a mental health event at the Museum of Science in Boston, Mass., on Jan. 21, 2023.
Andria Amador, the senior director of behavioral health services for Boston Public Schools, with Veda Peteet, 3, Zara Peteet, 5, and Tom Peteet, 40, during a mental health event at the Museum of Science in Boston, Mass.
Sophie Park for Education Week
Student Well-Being Leader To Learn From A 'Saleslady' Got One District to Prioritize Students' Mental Health
Over the past decade, Andria Amador has reshaped mental health in the Boston school district with a commitment to prevention over reaction.
Libby Stanford, February 6, 2023
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9 min read
Chimere Stephens, the Director of NYC Men Teach at the NYC Department of Education, reads a book to a class of first grade students at PS 55 elementary school in the Bronx, New York., January 19, 2023.
Chimere Stephens, the director of NYC Men Teach at the NYC Department of Education, reads a book to a class of 1st grade students in January at PS 55 elementary school.
Mostafa Bassim for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Leader To Learn From Want to Recruit Male Teachers of Color? Look to This New York City Leader
Chimere Stephens, who leads recruitment of men of color for the New York City schools, believes in starting with high school students.
Alyson Klein & Mark Walsh, February 6, 2023
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9 min read
Tonya Clarke, coordinator of K–12 mathematics in the division of school leadership and improvement for Clayton County Public Schools in Jonesboro, Ga., helps students with geometry at Adamson Middle School.
Tonya Clarke, coordinator of K–12 mathematics in the division of school leadership and improvement for the Clayton County Public Schools in Jonesboro, Ga., helps students with geometry while observing an 8th grade math class at Adamson Middle School late last year.
Dustin Chambers for Education Week
Mathematics Leader To Learn From Making Math Matter: A District Leader's Mission
As a teacher, Tonya Clarke sought to change the way her students saw math. Now, she's bringing her vision districtwide.
Sarah Schwartz, February 6, 2023
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11 min read
Richard Tomko, Superintendent of Belleville Public Schools in Belleville, N.J., visits Mrs. Gras’ pre-K class and participates in a dancing activity to enrich gross motor skills on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. One of Dr. Tomko’s main initiatives as superintendent has been to grow Belleville Public School’s “Preschool Universe,” which has been largely successful since the opening of the Hornblower Early Childhood Center in 2020. District enrollment in the “Preschool Universe” was at 7.8% in the 2018-19 school year, and is now at 86.7% for the 2022-23 school year.
Richard Tomko, superintendent of Belleville public schools in Belleville, N.J., has deepened community trust while improving the district's financial footing and expanding academic programs.
Sam Mallon/Education Week
School & District Management Leader To Learn From Transforming a School District, One Relationship at a Time
Richard Tomko of Belleville, N.J., schools wants to build an early foundation for students and help those with disabilities flourish.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 6, 2023
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8 min read

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Cyndi Tercero, family and community engagement manager for the Phoenix Union High School Districts, pictured at a distribution event for students and families in need at Carl Hayden High School in west Phoenix, Ariz., on Jan. 13, 2023.
Cyndi Tercero-Sandoval, the family and community engagement manager for the Phoenix Union High School District, helps out at a food distribution event for students and families in need at Carl Hayden High School in west Phoenix, Ariz.
Ash Ponders for Education Week
Budget & Finance Leader To Learn From Giving Students a Say in School Spending? A District Leader's Bold Idea Pays Off
Cyndi Tercero-Sandoval's initiative empowers students by allowing them to vote on how portions of their school's budgets will be spent.
Mark Lieberman, February 6, 2023
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9 min read
Natalie Griffin, Executive Director of Special Programs for Mineral Wells ISD, pictured at the mobile book bus on December 20, 2022.
Natalie Griffin has successfully recruited bilingual teachers to her Texas district.
Nitashia Johnson for Education Week
English-Language Learners Leader To Learn From She Defied Expectations as a Pregnant Teen. Now She’s Helping English Learners Do the Same
Natalie Griffin found bilingual educators for a district with a long-neglected English-learner population.
Caitlynn Peetz, February 6, 2023
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7 min read
Dean McGee pets Sydney while visiting the Veterinary Technology program at the Regional Occupation Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Bakersfield, Calif.
Dean McGee, deputy superintendent of educational services and innovative programs in the Kern High School District, pets Sydney while visiting the veterinary technology program at the Regional Occupation Center in Bakersfield, Calif.
Morgan Lieberman for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Leader To Learn From Building Skills for Independent Lives: A Leader's Vision for Students With Disabilities
Dean McGee of Kern High School District in California draws on his personal experience to improve and expand career-technical education.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 6, 2023
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7 min read
Derek Richey, the chief financial officer in the Cleveland school district, helps 4th grade student Kevin Bonner with an art project during art class at Memorial School.
Derek Richey, the chief financial officer in the Cleveland school district, helps 4th grade student Kevin Bonner with an art project at Memorial School.<br/>
Dustin Franz for Education Week
School & District Management Leader To Learn From A Finance Officer Who Anticipates the Worst and Plans for the Best
In the Cleveland district, chief financial officer Derek Richey connects his work directly to what’s happening in classrooms.
Mark Lieberman, February 16, 2022
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9 min read
Jenna Monley, deputy chief of family and community engagement at Philadelphia Public Schools, stands for a portrait in downtown Philadelphia on December 15, 2021.
Jenna Monley has bolstered family engagement in the school district by improving communications, creating avenues for parents to work with teachers, and giving the community forums to air problems.
Michelle Gustafson for Education Week
Families & the Community Leader To Learn From Philadelphia Leader Brings a Bold Approach to Family Engagement
Jenna Monley has launched bold new parent-engagement programs, while also honing a time-honored strategy: listening.
Evie Blad, February 16, 2022
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9 min read
Marifer Sager, manager of the Language Access Services Department for Portland Public School in Portland, Ore.
Marifer Sager goes beyond language translation to create multilingual tools and supports for families in the Portland, Ore., district.
Leah Nash for Education Week
Families & the Community Leader To Learn From Using the Power of Language to Serve Students and Families
Marifer Sager has made language translation services in the Portland, Ore., district more accessible, timely, and relevant.
Madeline Will, February 16, 2022
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11 min read
Susan Gilley, the executive director of federal programs and instructional technology for the Harrison Public Schools in Harrison, Ark., created the GOBSmobile, a mobile learning library and STEM lab for students.
Susan Gilley, the executive director of federal programs and instructional technology for the Harrison Public Schools in Harrison, Ark., created the GOBSmobile, a mobile learning library and STEM lab for students.
Liz Sanders for Education Week
School & District Management Leader To Learn From A DIY Approach to Boost STEM Engagement in Rural Schools
Arkansas educator's technology integration and mobile STEM lab offer students better access during remote instruction and beyond.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 16, 2022
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8 min read