For Tom Alexander, creating a welcoming school culture where students and staff are seen — and where teachers can build engaging, culturally responsive classrooms — is a top priority, his colleagues say.

One way Alexander has done this: Working with the school’s reading specialist to help a group of students create a “graphic magazine” in which they shared themes of overcoming fear, having forgiveness and addressing stereotypes.

Alexander has also seen success in boosting school community engagement. Among his accomplishments on that front are helping the school hold its first-ever Fall Festival — which was attended by nearly 200 students, parents, staff, and community members — and coordinating a parent outreach potluck that led to full staffing for the Parent Teacher Student Organization and a 75% increase in membership year over year.

Lynn Barber does not “rule over” teachers but serves them in ways that “ensure a positive, supportive and productive environment,” according to those who work with him.

Barber's democratic leadership style and balancing of administrative and educational needs have been central to his success in both the CTAE department and the school system at large, they say. 

“Whenever I have asked for something or had some crazy idea that would increase student engagement or my capacity to teach, Dr. Barber found a way to support it and provide it,” Colleen Lagoueyte, an early childhood education and care instructor at Ware County High School, told K-12 Dive.

Barber has overseen an expansion of the district’s CTAE programs, working with partners in local industry to develop a curriculum that promotes soft skills along with the technical knowledge to meet market demands in a wide range of agriculture and other trade fields. As part of those efforts, he’s credited with securing funds to construct a building for showing livestock and to procure state-of-the-art welding, nursing, culinary and business tech equipment.

As a first-year leader in the 2023-24 academic year, Rebecca Granatini faced “myriad challenges” and “daunting circumstances” that included overseeing a building move and operating in a temporary location without a principal present, Mansfield Elementary School Principal Kate McCoy told K-12 Dive. According to McCoy, Granatini excelled, and “her leadership and dedication were instrumental in ensuring the smooth transition of our school community.”

Granatini is also credited with empowering staff to implement effective strategies around multi-tiered systems of support and positive behavior interventions and supports. This has led to notable improvements in student learning outcomes and a more positive school culture, McCoy said.

“One of Rebecca's most commendable qualities is her commitment to personal and professional growth,” McCoy said. “She consistently seeks out opportunities to deepen her understanding of educational leadership, often challenging conventional thinking and seeking clarity on the rationale behind decision-making processes.”

After beginning their career in financial services with Wells Fargo, a passion for education and public service led Lisa Irey to make the jump to public schools. Irey has served as Des Moines Public Schools’ director of technology since 2022, and prior to joining the district eight years ago, they worked as a business and computer science teacher in West Des Moines Community Schools.

A year and a half into their current role, Irey navigated DMPS through a cyberattack in January 2023. The incident happened on a Monday, and more than 30,000 students were back in school by Thursday thanks to an attitude that encourages rolling up sleeves to do the “dirty work” with the team and for the team, Irey’s colleagues say.

Irey’s other technology priorities and accomplishments include installing new interactive classroom projectors, upgrading the district’s wireless network, expanding curriculum materials produced by the district’s print shop, and working closely with teaching staff to match technology to classroom needs.

Irey is DMPS’ first openly trans leader and an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. In their role, Irey also provides leadership representation for LGBTQ+ students and staff.

As an assistant principal at the public Dothan Preparatory Academy, Charles Longshore has focused on using restorative practices — which promotes resolving issues through dialogue, empathy and collaboration — to improve school climate and culture. 

This has led to a significant reduction in office referrals and an increase in academic achievement. Longshore has also worked to help teachers strengthen their instruction and classroom management skills.

In January, Longshore was recognized as Alabama Assistant Principal of the Year. At the time, Vic Wilson, executive director of the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals, described his leadership as “a beacon of adaptability and resourcefulness.”

As a leader at Chesterton High School, Kristen Peterson has advocated for educator wellness with initiatives that push teacher voice and empowerment to the forefront. Among these efforts: Incorporating teacher voice and input in professional development to provide educators with personalized support.

She has also worked with over 200 community partners to build out the CHS Internship Program, and she has bolstered support for students’ social-emotional learning with a weekly advisory period. 

“We take 30 minutes each Wednesday where we address all the Indiana SEL standards in addition to supporting our students with their college and career preparation,” Peterson said during an April 2022 roundtable hosted by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The curriculum includes stress management, time management, digital citizenship lessons, community building and gratitude lessons, she said.

Peterson, who was recognized as the 2023 Indiana Assistant Principal of the Year, also serves as varsity head coach for girls’ basketball, track and cross country.

Jennifer Spencer-Iiams is “a champion for public education,” said Wilsonville High School Principal Kelly Schmidt.

“She makes herself available to us, shows up, teaches classes, walks alongside, mentors and leads with this purpose,” said Schmidt. “She is a fierce advocate for all students, and this shows up in so many ways.“

Among Spencer-Iiams' accomplishments: She has led the district to fully include students with individualized education programs in general education classes as well as in the full scope of activities in their neighborhood schools, led a process to shift to an A/B block schedule format with input from teachers and students, and organized biweekly meetings with principals that prioritize their voice in decision-making. Spencer-Iiams also teaches a high school advisory class to stay in touch with students and building-level educators.

“She listens to understand, considers individual circumstances and leads with courage,” said Schmidt. “She is willing to make hard decisions and can simultaneously make people feel valued and respected.”

In his role as assistant principal of discipline, Christopher Thomas “works tirelessly here on campus to make sure the kids have access to the best education possible,” said Christopher Bush, principal of Logansport High School. 

In addition to orchestrating home visits and serving as a mental health counselor, Thomas attends sports games, drives school buses and served as boys’ basketball head coach following the sudden departure of the school’s previous coach. He is also on the city council in Mansfield, Louisiana, and has played a role in a deal that will bring more than 150 new jobs overall to the community. 

“Mr. Thomas truly has a heart for people and will do anything that he can to help others,” said Bush.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. quote “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase” is a favorite of Jermaine White, and it encapsulates much of his approach to educational leadership.

In his current role, White has encouraged colleagues to take that first step on a number of strategic initiatives to emphasize data-driven decision-making, launch a virtual academy, provide 24/7 tutoring, carry out home visits to support dropout prevention, and advance year-round schooling.

He remains tactical in pushing the school system to take these steps by embracing a “Stop, Look and Listen” approach. This involves: stopping to survey the landscape and to evaluate whether programming is meeting student and family needs; looking at enrollment and transfer data and school lottery applications to identify trends and opportunities; and listening to stakeholders.

This approach has been credited with improving the district’s ability to serve the community's needs while also shifting the tide on post-pandemic enrollment declines.

In her role overseeing career readiness education for two public online schools, Erica Young-Jackson has improved career and technical education initiatives for students and educators alike, said Charles Woods, head of schools for Arizona Virtual Academy and Insight Academy of Arizona.

Since 2018, she has expanded the schools’ CTE offerings from four to 15, created annual events that connect students with potential employers and career pathways, established a work-based learning program, and added student certification programs.

“Her goal is to teach students how to advocate for themselves, apply their knowledge in real-world applications, and attain the certifications and skills they need to be successful in the workforce before and after they graduate,” said Woods.

Young-Jackson has also facilitated professional learning opportunities to improve educators’ teaching skills and keep them up to date on industry standards.