With the 10th Leaders To Learn From class, Education Week decided to catch up with former honorees on their leadership journey. Some Leaders are no longer in K-12. Others have made huge strides in their careers, moving up the ladder. But the common thread among these Leaders remains their commitment to helping students reach their full potential—regardless of whether they still work in school districts.
Christie-Jo Adams
Coordinator, K-12 Arts Education, Richmond Public 69ý, Richmond, Va.
Year Honored: 2019
Expertise: Integrating Arts Instruction
Highlights: Published “” in the October 2021 edition of School Administrator magazine; successfully completed a $1.3 million arts integration grant from the federal Education Department to support the district’s Turnaround Arts schools.
Read about her work: "Elevating the Arts to Improve Student Achievement”
Mark Benigni
Superintendent, Meriden Public 69ý, Meriden, Conn.
Year Honored: 2015
Expertise: Extended Learning Time
Highlights: Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) Outstanding Educational Leader Award, 2021; CoSN and AASA EmpoweredED Digital Superintendent of the Year Award, 2019; The Bushnell William A. Yandow Educator Award, 2019; Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness Social Justice Award, 2017; President of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, 2021.
Read about his work: "Extra Time Yields Promising Results for Struggling Conn. 69ý”
Shari Camhi
Superintendent, Baldwin Union Free School District, Baldwin, N.Y.
Year Honored: 2020
Expertise: Closing Gaps
Highlights: 2021-22 president-elect of AASA, the School Superintendents Association; member of the board of trustees, Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center, Garden City, N.Y.; member of AASA’s American Rescue Plan Committee.
Read about her work: "An Unorthodox Strategy Closes Academic Gaps”
Christopher Chatmon
Director and CEO, Kingmakers of Oakland, Oakland, Calif.
Year Honored: 2015
Expertise: Supporting Boys of Color
Highlights: Deputy chief of equity and the first executive director of the office of African American Male Achievement at Oakland Unified School District; Coalition of Black Excellence, Community Champion Award, 2020; Oakland Unified School District, African American Male Achievement, Oscar Wright, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2020.
Read about his work: "Educator Leads Campaign to Transform Lives of Black Boys”
Mohammed Choudhury
State Superintendent of 69ý, Maryland
Year Honored: 2018
Expertise: Expanding School Choice
Highlights: Appointed Maryland State Superintendent of 69ý in 2021; expanded schooling options for students and developed strategies to retain master teachers at underperforming schools as associate superintendent and chief strategy, talent, and innovation officer in the San Antonio Independent School District; NextGen Network Leader, The Pahara-Aspen Institute, 2018.
Read about his work: "Giving Families an ‘Equal Shot’ at Finding the Right School”
Joshua Garcia
Superintendent, Tacoma Public 69ý, Tacoma, Wash.
Year Honored: 2015
Expertise: Whole-Child Accountability
Highlights: Appointed superintendent of Tacoma Public 69ý in 2021.
Read about his work: "Tacoma’s Deputy Chief Helps Pioneer Expansive Measures of School Success”
Aaron Grossman
Multi-Tiered System of Supports Specialist (MTSS), Washoe County School District, Reno, Nev.
Year Honored: 2014
Expertise: Common Core
Highlights: Washoe County Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2017; Nevada Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2018; co-developed Justtwoteachers.com, a website that provides no-prep, standards-aligned teaching resources and lessons for teachers.
Read about his work: "Teachers Lead the Way in Nevada Leader’s Common-Core Project”
César Morales
Superintendent, Ventura County Department of Education, Camarillo, Calif.
Year Honored: 2017
Expertise: Literacy
Highlights: First Latino and person of color to serve as Ventura County Superintendent of 69ý; El Concilio Latino Leadership Award, 2021; Excellence in Educational Leadership Award, University Council for Educational Administration, 2019.
Read about his work: "Superintendent Fosters Love of 69ý”