Recognize Outstanding District Leaders! Submit Your Nominee for a Mentor Worth Following
Innovative District Leaders Transforming Public Education
District leaders across the United States are making significant strides in addressing challenges in public education, with a focus on creative solutions and community engagement.
One such leader is Naomi Tolentino, the coordinator of student support for the Kansas City school district. Tolentino has implemented systemwide practices to tackle chronic absenteeism, a longstanding issue in the district. Her efforts have resulted in a decline in the number of students deemed "severely chronically absent" (those missing 20% or more of school days). In the 2023-24 school year, the rate dropped from 22.2% in 2021-22 to 15%.
Lazaro Lopez, the associate superintendent overseeing curriculum and instruction for Township high school district 214 outside Chicago, is another example of a forward-thinking district leader. Lopez has created a framework to expand postsecondary opportunities for his students, with 84% of the district's graduating students earning early college credits during the 2023-24 school year. An impressive 65% of these students earned at least eight credit hours.
In Illinois, Jennifer Norrell, the superintendent of East Aurora school district 131, has expanded the Advanced Placement program, more than doubling the percentage of high schoolers taking these courses over the past six years. Seventy percent of students in East Aurora school district come from low-income families, and just over half are English learners. Nearly 1 in 3 high schoolers take at least one AP course.
The Leaders to Learn From initiative, run by a reputable news organization, recognises such district leaders. Nominations for the 2026 award are due on Sept. 8, 2025, and can be submitted by colleagues, educators, or community members familiar with the nominee’s impact and leadership qualities. Past honorees have tackled longstanding challenges in creative, collaborative ways, and their profiles highlight their work in positively transforming schools.
District leaders are also deeply engaged with families and communities. They are advocating for teachers' pay increases and expanding dual-enrollment or dual-credit programs. For instance, in the 2023-24 school year, 59% of juniors and seniors in Township high school district 214 participated in an internship and/or apprenticeship. However, fewer than a quarter of 11th and 12th graders nationally participated in such programs during the 2020-21 school year.
The next cohort of honorees will be recognised in February 2026. These leaders are demonstrating outstanding leadership and innovation in education, paving the way for a brighter future for public education. If you know a district leader who deserves recognition, consider nominating them for the Leaders to Learn From initiative.
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