Dr. John Gordon

A lifetime educator with leadership experiences in Chesterfield, Fredericksburg, and Richmond, Dr. Gordon understands how education should be customized to fit the needs of all students while expanding opportunities for their future. As a former successful high school basketball coach, where he won numerous championships over a ten year career, he is an expert in team building and strategic planning and serves as a role model to today’s youth. Dr. Gordon was the first African-American principal at James Monroe High School and the first African American chairman of the Virginia High School League. A renowned speaker and motivator, Dr. Gordon is the author of The Teacher’s Lounge: The Real Role of Educators in Your Schools, which navigates life as an African American male in predominantly white suburbia, and the upcoming strategy guide Education Navigation, which provides insightful tips for educators navigating the new political field of education.. Dr. Gordon is president of Schools That Inspire, LLC, where he develops transformational strategies for students, teachers, and instructional leaders. Dr. Gordon was recently named the 2026-2027 Virginia Superintendent of the Year, A Distinguished Alumni by Virginia Tech, and a "2022 Superintendent to Watch" by the National School Public Relations Association. Dr. Gordon is also the President of the Virginia Alliance of Black School Educators, and the Chair for Region II for the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. Dr. Gordon earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Virginia, a master’s of education with a concentration in social studies from the University of Virginia, a post-master’s certificate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech. He is married to his wife Anitra and they have five children, Marcus, Kennedy, Simone. Iain, and Emerson.