People to Watch

See which leaders are on the move as summer begins

West Contra Costa USD, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Keller ISD are among the systems that have recently named new superintendents.

How to stay close-knit in a growing district

One way to give a larger district a small-town feel is customization in the form of extensive school choice, Superintendent Jean Luna-Vedder says.

These experienced superintendents have found new posts

Brian Yearwood takes the helm of Kentucky's largest district while longtime North Carolina education leader Eric C. Bracy is named superintendent of Cumberland County Schools.

The DA 100 2025

The innovative leaders—and leading innovators—who comprise District Administration’s second annual Top 100 influencers represent the most important voices in K12 education.

Many sitting superintendents are now on the move

Kristy Somerville-Midgette takes the helm at Lynchburg City Schools; Justin Irish is moving to the Northshore School District; and the St. Johns County School District choses Brennan Asplen its next superintendent

How Toyua Watson-Bacchus offers internships in her rural district

This superintendent and her team are committed to providing all of the Concordia Parish School Board's students with work-based learning opportunities.

How two brand new principals are transforming an elementary school

For the first time, Orchard View Schools placed administrators who were new to the district and building leadership at the helm of one of its most critical and foundational schools.

Promotions highlight the latest week of superintendent hires

Several school boards looked within for their new superintendents, including a few that hired graduates of their schools.

Veterans and first-timers take the helm in new districts

Superintendents on the move include veterans and first-time leaders in several states, including South Dakota, Ohio and Delaware.

See which superintendents are on the move right now

Longtime superintendents such as Gillian Chapman, Alex Cherniss and Glenn Barnes have found new homes during a busy hiring season from coast to coast.

Superintendent Paula Knight: How to take risks on behalf of students

Superintendent Paula Knight was way ahead of the curve on a big issue: Cell phones in schools.

NOLA is the latest big district to pick new leader

Mike Dominguez takes the helm at Missouri's Francis Howell School District while Jami Jo Thompson is named the next superintendent of Rapid City Area Schools.

Jamil Maroun: How this superintendent inspires new leaders

New Jersey K12 leader says he is just as eager to motivate staff as he is students. It's the "best form of leadership," he says.

Superintendent Jeni Gotto is all in on competency-based education

Superintendent Jeni Gotto and Westminster Public Schools are so accomplished at competency-based education that she has literally written the book on it.

Tony Watlington plans to reach new heights in Philadelphia

Superintendent Tony Watlington, District Administration's 2025 Superintendent of the Year, is determined to make The School District of Philadelphia the fastest-improving large urban system in the U.S.

How K12 can enter a promising new age of leadhership

Two women share their journeys to the superintendency and the roadblocks aspiring female leaders should expect—and how to overcome them.

Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. named AASA’s Superintendent of the Year

Gonsoulin is superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Alabama, the state's second-largest district, and previously led Fairfield City Schools.

How this Superintendent of the Year inspires inclusivity

St. Cloud Area School District Superintendent Laurie Putnam relies on her exceptional team to focus on one of the district’s primary commitments: to create a culture of belonging.

Superintendent Ken Oertling: How to keep business ties strong

Superintendent Ken Oertling sums up his leadership philosophy with an acronym: ICE. It stands for "invest, communicate, engage."

DA names Superintendent of the Year and Districts of Distinction

Tony Watlington, leader of The School District of Philadelphia, was named Superintendent of the Year at this week's 2025 District Administration National Awards Program ceremony.

3 key pieces of advice for women who aspire to edtech leadership

Being as qualified as you can be and establishing a life-work balance are critical steps to success for women in edtech leadership, FETC speaker Frankie J. Jackson says.

Superintendents to watch: How leaders are advocating for students’ best interests

Leaders are remaining student-driven by expanding dual enrollment and gifted programs, leveraging teacher expertise and recruiting student advisors.

Expectation management for IT leaders: Defining what, and when, to expect after COVID

Setting expectations is more than just stating what you want to happen. As leaders, we must pause and endeavor to understand the three organizational realities.

3 superintendents to watch: Taking care of each and every student

The emotional well-being of students is the north star for educators in Linden Public Schools, an urban district in New Jersey. What other districts call SEL has been retitled  "social-emotional cognitive growth."

Supporting the superintendent: Why this leader says collegiality is key

Director of federal programs in Mississippi district is inspired networking opportunities, visionary training at DA academy.

3 superintendents to watch: How they’re reframing the parameters of success

Bhavna Sharma-Lewis, who has been superintendent of Diamond Lake School District 76 since 2015, hosts a workshop called “What Happens When the School Board Falls Out of Love With You.”

4 ed-tech leaders to watch: They’re getting districts back to business

CIOs and other ed-tech leaders are not being left out of the K-12 recovery conversation, particularly when it comes to spending relief funds on learning and safety.