P. J. Caposey

PJ Caposey is one of the most prolific and respected thought leaders in American public education today—and the most published author currently serving as a sitting superintendent in the country. He currently serves as the superintendent of Oregon CUSD 220 and previously led Meridian CUSD 223—at one point serving as dual superintendent of both districts. He is the former Illinois State Superintendent of the Year and a national finalist for AASA’s National Superintendent of the Year award.

A best-selling author of ten books, PJ’s influence spans leadership, school culture, equity, and continuous improvement. He is a sought-after keynote speaker, consultant, and practitioner known for driving real change. He has led significant turnarounds in every administrative role he’s held, with his districts earning national distinction for governance, academic achievement, innovation, and performance excellence—including the 2024 Partners for Excellence Gold Distinction, the first awarded in over two decades.

PJ’s writing and commentary have been featured in major media outlets including The Washington Post, CBS This Morning, NPR, Edutopia, ASCD, and HuffPost. He has been profiled in the Global Leaders Forum alongside global figures such as General Petraeus and General McChrystal.

Outside of his full-time leadership in public schools, PJ has also shaped the field through extensive work in higher education and credential development. He has served in the educational leadership departments of five universities—including one within the Ivy League—and helped lead the design and launch of Illinois’ first full suite of MicroCredentials. Through teaching, coaching, and advising, he continues to support the development of current and aspiring school leaders across the country.

PJ’s long track record of impact began in the classroom, where he was honored as an ASCD Outstanding Young Educator and Emerging Leader early in his career. Since then, he has been named to EdTech Magazine’s Top 30 Influencers, NSPRA’s 25 Superintendents to Watch, and multiple “Educator of the Year” honors at the regional level. He has also received national recognition from ASCD, ISTE, and NSPRA for his contributions to leadership and innovation. PJ currently serves on advisory boards for some of the most influential companies in K–12 education and regularly partners with districts, associations, and EdTech organizations to push the field forward.

He lives in Northwest Illinois with his wife, also an educator, and their four children. Whether keynoting a national conference, consulting with system leaders, or publishing his next book, PJ remains focused on one mission: to reimagine public education so that it serves every student—not just some.

PERSONAL ACCOLADES

Community Champion, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, 2024

Top 30 EdTech Influencer, EdTech Magazine, 2023

Illinois State Superintendent of the Year, 2022

ISTE Making IT Happen, 2019

Regional Superintendent of the Year, 2017

Tech and Learning Leader of the Year - Runner Up, 2017

INSPRA Distinguished Service Award, 2016

40 Under 40, 2016

NSPRA 25 Superintendents to Watch, 2016

EIU Distinguished Alumnus, 2016

Those Who Excel - Award of Merit, 2015

Regional Principal of the Year, 2014

ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Honoree, 2013

ASCD Emerging Leader, 2013

Horace Mann Partners in Education, 2012

DISTRICT ACCOLADES

Partners for Excellence (Baldridge) Gold Distinction - 2024 (1st district to be recognized as this in over 20 years)

US News and World Report recognition, 2017-24

IASB Governance Award, 2016-23

EduJedi award from the Learning Counsel, 2019

Illinois Performance Excellence Bronze Award, 2018

National School of Opportunity, 2017

District Administration Magazine District of Distinction, 2016

ADVISORY/EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER or CONSULTANT (all current unless otherwise stated; individual school districts excluded from list)

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Institute for Education Innovation

Total School Solutions

Resonance Education

Sarah Williamson PR Group

MB Simple Solutions

GenParenting

Performance Learning

ThoughtExchange, 2019-21

Illinois ASCD, 2012-18