News and Events

Our Chiefs for Change members are starting 2026 off strong. Here’s a snapshot of how our members are being recognized for their contributions to public education and service to students across the country. 

This year, the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) selected 30 leaders from school systems across the United States for its 2025-26 Superintendents to Watch. 

Among the list are three Chiefs for Change members: Andrea Castañeda, Salem-Keizer Public Schools (Ore.); Heather Tow-Yick, Issaquah School District (Wash.); and Tony B. Watlington Sr., Ed.D., School District of Philadelphia (Pa.).

Our CEO, Robert Runcie, recently sat down with Dr. Sito Narcisse and guest co-host Tatiana Echevarria on the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about access, expectations and legacy. 

Over the past decade, Chiefs for Change has worked relentlessly to transform public education systems, elevating bold leaders and evidence-based policies that put students first. We celebrated our tenth year at our Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL, bringing together leaders from across the country to reflect on accomplishments and look toward future goals.  

Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of state and district education leaders committed to advancing bold leadership, systems support, and policy and advocacy in public education, proudly announces the addition of six outstanding leaders to its national network.

Across the 2024–2025 school year, Chiefs for Change convened a dynamic Community of Practice (CoP) that brought together district leaders and educators to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can elevate high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) in public education.

Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of state and district education leaders committed to advancing bold leadership and evidence-based policies in public education, proudly announces the addition of nine outstanding leaders to its national network.

As we review the results of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), it is clear that while our schools have made strides in addressing the academic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we still face significant challenges in ensuring every student has the support they need to succeed.

Chiefs for Change, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing education policies and practices that make a difference for all students, is proud to announce the addition of four distinguished superintendents to its network.

The Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Thomas Taylor, a member of Chiefs for Change, as the district’s next superintendent. Dr. Taylor brings more than 25 years of experience and a proven record of leadership to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

The Portland Public Schools Board of Education in Oregon has selected Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong, a member of Chiefs for Change Future Chiefs leadership development program, as the district’s next superintendent.

Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of state and district education chiefs, today announced the eighth cohort of its Future Chiefs ​leadership development program.

As the nation grapples with persistent teacher shortages, innovative solutions are needed to attract and retain high-quality educators. The Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP) offers a promising approach by combining on-the-job training with focused coursework, allowing aspiring teachers to earn while they learn.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the mental, emotional, and social well-being of students across the country. A new report from the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, commissioned by Chiefs for Change, examines how five diverse school districts utilized federal relief funds to implement initiatives supporting students’ mental health needs in the wake of this crisis.

Chiefs for Change, in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy and the Louis Calder Foundation, announces the release of a pioneering research study focused on implementing acceleration strategies in public school districts.

Chiefs for Change proudly announces the release of its groundbreaking resource, “Strengthening the Pipeline: Landscape Analysis Supporting and Elevating the Teaching Profession.” This resource addresses the critical issue of the educator shortage gripping the United States.

Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of district and state education leaders dedicated to advocating for transformative policies and fostering bold leadership in public education, proudly announces the addition of four esteemed education leaders to its membership following the organization’s Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of district and state education leaders, today released The Change Catalyst: A Guidebook to Support Leaders in Making Lasting Change. Developed in collaboration with Ector County Independent School District, this resource equips K-12 education leaders with comprehensive tools and strategies to navigate the complexities of introducing changes into their systems.

Chiefs for Change today announced additions to its board of directors and membership. The following superintendents have joined the group’s board.