2013 EdWeek Leaders To Learn From
Recognizing excellence in school-district leadership
Student Achievement
Leader To Learn From
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 Education
Leader To Learn From
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.
Classroom Technology
Leader To Learn From
Missouri Educator Pushes Power of Social Media
Kyle Pace has been training teachers to use technology since he was a student himself.
School & District Management
Leader To Learn From
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.
School Climate & Safety
Leader To Learn From
Baltimore Leader Helps District Cut Suspensions
Jonathan Brice rewrote the district's code of conduct to give principals alternatives to out-of-school suspensions.
School & District Management
Leader To Learn From
Veteran Educator Turns Around Cincinnati Schools
Under Superintendent Mary Ronan's oversight, 16 schools climbed out of "academic emergency."
IT Infrastructure & Management
Leader To Learn From
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.
Families & the Community
Leader To Learn From
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.
School & District Management
Leader To Learn From
Rural Leader Buoys School With Foreign Students
International-student programs work well in Australia, thought Superintendent Clark Hults, so why not in the Adirondacks?
School & District Management
Leader To Learn From
Colorado District, Union Team Up to Solve Budget Crunch
In Jefferson County, Colo., Superintendent Cynthia M. Stevenson and teachers' union President Kerrie Dallmann showed that it's not impossible for districts and unions to collaborate on tough decisions.
Science
Leader To Learn From
Mich. School Chief Focuses on STEM Learning
By bolstering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction, Linda Hicks hopes to equip her students to find good jobs with the multinational food manufacturers and research facilities in and near "Cereal City."
School & District Management
Leader To Learn From
School Leader Manages Smart Growth in Va. Suburb
During Jeffrey K. Platenberg's tenure, his district built 13 new schools, renovated nine, and built five school additions—all while saving money.
School Climate & Safety
Leader To Learn From
Conn. Administrator Focuses on School Climate
Ciccone brought new attention to school climate issues in her school system by piloting a survey that is now used statewide to take a pulse on how students feel about their schools.
College & Workforce Readiness
Leader To Learn From
N.C. District Embraces College for All
Obasohan is leading efforts to create a districtwide “early college” system in Duplin County and instill college ambitions in students as early as kindergarten.
English Learners
Leader To Learn From
Minn. Superintendent Pioneered ELL Reforms
An immigrant herself, Valeria Silva led by example a nationwide push to teach English-learners in mainstream classes.
