Meet the Leaders

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

2026 Leaders

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2026 EdWeek Leaders To Learn From
Introducing our 2026 EdWeek Leaders To Learn From, highlighting innovative district leaders.
Meet the 2026 Leaders

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Colo. Superintendent Shares Lessons on Crisis Management
Nicholas Gledich admits he's a pretty big fan of catchphrases.
Schools Chief Raises Academic Bar for Students in a Mississippi District
In Clarksdale, a superintendent’s recipe for improving schools includes themed magnet schools, tougher academics, citywide school choice, and a big infusion of grant money.
Ariz. Leader Uses Technology to Personalize Learning
Under Gail Pletnick’s leadership, students in Dysart’s schools are learning at their own pace, only moving on when they've fully grasped concepts.
Gail Pletnick
St. Louis Schools Leaders Team Up on Preschool Expansion
Facing dropping student enrollments, a superintendent and a teachers’ union leader collaborated to open up more preschool seats and keep their struggling district viable.
Texas District Goes Door to Door to Find Dropouts
The dropout rate decreased by 90 percent in Daniel P. King's first five years at the helm of Pharr-San Juan-Alamo schools.
Special Ed. Director Blazes Paths in Virginia
This longtime special educator has been a pioneer in her state in improving services to students with autism spectrum disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
Judy Sorrell
Missouri Educator Pushes Power of Social Media
Kyle Pace has been training teachers to use technology since he was a student himself.
Kyle Pace
In Ohio, Ex-Mechanic Keeps School Buses in Gear
More efficient bus routes and technological devices that allow administrators to keep track of buses and students are among Simmons' achievements.
Baltimore Leader Helps District Cut Suspensions
Jonathan Brice rewrote the district's code of conduct to give principals alternatives to out-of-school suspensions.
Jonathan Brice
Veteran Educator Turns Around Cincinnati Schools
Under Superintendent Mary Ronan's oversight, 16 schools climbed out of "academic emergency."
Mary Ronan
Rural Ind. School Leader Helps Wire a Community
Superintendent Stockdale has figured out a way for all 1,875 students in his rural district to have either an iPad or a computer, and he’s making wireless access available in students’ homes and after school hours in the community.
Dennis Stockdale
Boston Leader Connects Parents to Learning
Once a disgruntled parent, Brooks now leads the district’s efforts to engage Boston parents in their children’s learning.