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.

2022 Honorees

Images of Derek Richey, Jenna Monley, and Ben Thigpen.
2022 Leaders To Learn From
We're excited to reveal our 2022 honorees. These innovative leaders showed resiliency and fortitude as they found ways to support students during a year of continued disruption.
Meet the 2022 Leaders

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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.
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.
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.
Jenna Monley, deputy chief of family and community engagement at Philadelphia Public Schools, stands for a portrait in downtown Philadelphia on December 15, 2021.
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.
Marifer Sager, manager of the Language Access Services Department for Portland Public School in Portland, Ore.
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.
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.
Their N.C. School District Was Pandemic-Ready. Here’s Why
The Union County district went big on technology training, tutoring, and mental health supports before the pandemic.
Casey Rimmer, left, is the director of innovation and ed-tech for the Union County School District in North Carolina. She's helped both staff and students navigate the glut of tech tools and applications that became a part of daily life during the pandemic. Andrew Houlihan, right, is the superintendent in Union County and developed a high-dosage tutoring strategy to combat student learning loss. Pictured here on Dec. 16, 2021.
Health Care Was Hard to Come By. So This Superintendent Stepped Up
Ben Thigpen, the superintendent in rural Jones County, N.C., launched a telehealth program to improve medical care for students and staff.
Ben Thigpen, the superintendent of the Jones County school district in rural North Carolina, started a telemedicine program in partnership with East Carolina University to provide acute minor medical care and mental health and nutrition counseling to students and staff.
Reinventing the School Librarian's Role: How a NYC Library Director Adapted to Change
When schools moved online at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, librarians had to learn quickly new ways to support teachers and students.
Melissa Jacobs, the director of library services for the New York City school system, takes a breather at the Murry Bergtraum High School Campus Library.
How Putting Students’ Welfare First Can Transform a District
For Lateshia Woodley, a relentless focus on supporting students facing trauma comes from her own lived experience.
Lateshia Woodley, the superintendent of student support for the Kansas City public schools, speaks with Jareon Brown, 17, and other students in Southeast High School's restorative-justice class.
As Students, They Felt Disconnected. As Leaders, They Champion Equity
The superintendent and chief academic officer in Hartford, Conn., are creating a system that centers the needs of students and families.
Madeline Negrón, the chief academic officer for the Hartford public schools, (left), and Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, the superintendent, in the Student Success Center at Hartford Public High School on Dec. 20, 2021.
Nurturing Talent at Home to Revive a Struggling Region
In rural Edgecombe County, N.C., Valerie Bridges is revitalizing the region with micro-schools and a homegrown teacher-development program.
Valerie Bridges, Superintendent of Edgecombe County Schools in Tarboro, N.C.
In Navajo Nation, a Star Superintendent Draws on His Ties to the Community
Quincy Natay grew up in Chinle, Ariz. Now he's increasing student access to laptops and Wi-Fi to maintain growth in learning through the pandemic.
Quincy Natay, superintendent of the Chinle Unified School District in Arizona.
A Wrestling Coach Pins Down the Education Technology of the Future
A Kansas leader keeps his district abreast of evolutions in broadband and technology—and finds parallels in his role as a wrestling coach.
Doug Vander Linden, Director of Educational Technology, Burlington Unified School District, Kan.