50 Essential US Public Education Leaders to Follow

If you lead a public school or district in the United States, the people you follow on LinkedIn shape the way you think, plan, and respond to challenges. The right voices in your feed can spark a strategy shift, introduce a framework you had never considered, or simply remind you that someone else is wrestling with the same problems you are facing today.

The trouble is that LinkedIn's education space is enormous. Sorting through thousands of profiles to find the practitioners, authors, and policy voices who genuinely understand US public K-12 education takes time most school leaders do not have. A 2024 RAND Corporation study found that 73% of principals reported working more than 50 hours per week, leaving precious little room for the kind of professional learning that scrolling a curated feed can provide.

That is exactly why this guide exists. Below you will find 50 thought leaders who are actively shaping the conversation around public education in the United States. These are not generic influencers or higher education academics. Every person on this list is either leading a public school district, running a school building, writing books that public school leaders actually use, influencing policy that affects your students, or building the technology and tools your teachers rely on daily.

The list is organised into six categories: Superintendents and District Leaders, Principals and School Leaders, Authors and Researchers, Policy and Association Leaders, EdTech and Innovation Voices, and Keynote Speakers and Consultants. Each entry includes the person's current role, their area of focus, and what you can expect from their LinkedIn content.

Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator and bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with over 10,000 copies sold globally, works with schools around the world to build high performing leadership teams through keynotes, workshops, and facilitation. While this guide focuses on US based thought leaders, the leadership principles these educators share are universal, and Jonno regularly partners with school teams to put them into practice.

To book Jonno White for a keynote, workshop, or team facilitation session at your school, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Why Following the Right Voices in Public Education Matters

Public education in the United States is navigating one of the most complex periods in its history. The expiration of ESSER pandemic relief funding has forced districts to make painful budget decisions. Chronic absenteeism remains stubbornly high in many communities. The teacher and principal pipeline continues to narrow. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is arriving in classrooms faster than most policy frameworks can keep up.

In this environment, the cost of isolation is enormous. Leaders who stay connected to a diverse network of practitioners, researchers, and advocates are better positioned to respond with evidence based strategies rather than reactive guesswork. LinkedIn has become the professional platform where this exchange happens most visibly in education.

A strong LinkedIn feed does not replace formal professional development, but it does something formal PD often cannot. It delivers real time perspective from leaders who are facing the same pressures you are, updated weekly or even daily. The 50 people below are the ones doing that work consistently and well.

For more on building high performing school leadership teams, check out Jonno White's blog post '50 Best PD Speakers for Schools in the USA (2026)' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/pd-speakers-schools-usa.

Superintendents and District Leaders

Superintendents operate at the intersection of policy, community, and instruction. Following active district leaders on LinkedIn gives you a window into how the largest and most innovative systems in the country are tackling budget constraints, staffing shortages, and instructional transformation. These ten leaders represent a cross section of urban, suburban, and rural perspectives.

1. Alberto M. Carvalho

Alberto Carvalho leads Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest public school system in the United States. Previously superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Carvalho has built a national reputation for district transformation centred on equity, college and career readiness, and community engagement. His LinkedIn content offers candid reflections on what it takes to move a massive urban system forward, from navigating political pressure to implementing large scale technology initiatives. Carvalho's posts are particularly valuable for leaders managing complex stakeholder relationships.

2. Roosevelt Nivens

Roosevelt Nivens serves as Superintendent of Lamar Consolidated ISD in Texas and was named the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year by AASA, making him the first Texas superintendent to receive that honour in 25 years. Nivens is a powerful voice for student outcomes and public school advocacy. His LinkedIn presence reflects his commitment to strategic district leadership and his belief that every child deserves access to excellent instruction regardless of postcode.

3. Sonja Santelises

Sonja Santelises leads Baltimore City Public Schools as CEO, where she has driven significant improvements in literacy and equitable outcomes. Her district improvement work has earned national recognition, and her LinkedIn content focuses on the intersection of instructional quality, community trust, and systemic equity. Santelises is especially worth following for leaders in urban districts navigating similar challenges around student achievement and family engagement.

4. Joe Sanfelippo

Joe Sanfelippo is a former superintendent of Fall Creek School District in Wisconsin who has become one of the most followed education voices on LinkedIn. Author of Hacking Leadership and Lead From Where You Are, Sanfelippo is known for short, punchy leadership reflections and his passionate advocacy for telling your school's story. His posts consistently generate hundreds of comments and shares, making him one of the most engaging education creators on the platform.

5. David Miyashiro

David Miyashiro serves as Superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District in California, where he has pioneered innovative approaches to career development and student agency in K-12 settings. His district has been recognised nationally for its World of Work programme, which connects learning to future career pathways from the earliest grades. Miyashiro's LinkedIn content focuses on modernising learning and building districts that prepare students for an evolving economy.

6. Luvelle Brown

Luvelle Brown leads Ithaca City School District in New York and received the Effie A. Jones Humanitarian Award for his work cultivating a district wide culture of love, inclusion, and equity. Co-author of A Call to Courage with Dr. Sheldon Berman, Brown is a sought after voice on standing up to intolerance and building resilience in school communities. His LinkedIn posts reflect deep conviction about the moral dimensions of school leadership.

7. PJ Caposey

PJ Caposey is Superintendent of Meridian CUSD 223 in Illinois and a prolific author on school leadership and culture. He writes extensively about the principal pipeline, staffing challenges, and building sustainable school cultures. Caposey's LinkedIn content is practical and grounded in the day to day realities of district management, making him an excellent follow for leaders who want frameworks they can implement immediately.

8. Glenn Robbins

Glenn Robbins leads Brigantine Public School District in New Jersey and has built a reputation for innovation, school branding, and visible leadership. His approach to district storytelling and community engagement has been featured in education media nationally. Robbins uses LinkedIn to share practical strategies for small and mid-size districts looking to punch above their weight in communication and culture building.

9. Gustavo Balderas

Gustavo Balderas serves as Superintendent of Beaverton School District in Oregon, one of the state's largest districts. A past AASA president, Balderas is a leading voice on multilingual learners, systems leadership, and public school advocacy at the national level. His LinkedIn presence reflects his commitment to ensuring every student, regardless of language background, has access to rigorous instruction and genuine belonging.

10. Jen Schwanke

Jen Schwanke serves as Deputy Superintendent of Dublin City Schools in Ohio and is the author of You're the Principal! Now What?, a widely read guide to the principalship. Her LinkedIn content is refreshingly practical, covering topics from district leadership and women in educational leadership to the unglamorous but essential mechanics of running a school system. Schwanke is especially worth following for leaders navigating their first years in senior roles.

Jonno White, host of The Leadership Conversations Podcast with 230+ episodes reaching listeners in 150+ countries, works with school leadership teams to strengthen communication, resolve conflict, and build alignment. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to start a conversation.

Principals and School Leaders

Principals are the leaders closest to instruction. The practitioners in this category share the day to day realities of running a school building, from culture and climate to student engagement and staff development. Their LinkedIn content tends to be highly practical and emotionally resonant.

11. Jimmy Casas

Jimmy Casas served 22 years as a school leader, including 14 years as Principal of Bettendorf High School in Iowa, where the school was named one of the best in the country three times by Newsweek and US News and World Report. Named the 2012 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year, Casas is the author of Culturize, Handle With Care, and Recalibrate the Culture. His LinkedIn posts are among the most consistently engaging in education, focusing on trust, feedback, and the daily choices that define school culture.

12. Baruti K. Kafele

Baruti Kafele is a former principal, bestselling author, and one of the most sought after education speakers in the United States. His books, including The Principal 50, Closing the Attitude Gap, and Is My School a Better School Because I Lead It?, have become foundational reading for school leaders. On LinkedIn, Kafele posts with strong conviction about leadership identity, equity, and the mindset shifts principals must make to transform their buildings.

13. Todd Nesloney

Todd Nesloney serves as Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership at TEPSA (Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association). Author of Kids Deserve It! and Building Authenticity, Nesloney's LinkedIn presence is warm, encouraging, and focused on the human side of school leadership. He is particularly worth following for leaders who want to stay grounded in relationship building and staff wellbeing.

14. Danny Steele

Danny Steele is a former principal and author whose LinkedIn content focuses on teacher appreciation and building authentic, supportive school climates. His posts are consistently shared across education networks because they capture the small, daily gestures that make teachers feel valued. Steele's voice is a reminder that culture is built in moments, not programmes.

15. Adam Welcome

Adam Welcome is a former principal, speaker, and author known for pushing the envelope on educational innovation. His LinkedIn content is highly shareable, covering visible leadership, communication, and the courage required to try new approaches in traditional systems. Welcome's style is energetic and accessible, making his posts a good starting point for leaders new to LinkedIn.

16. Hamish Brewer

Hamish Brewer is a former principal and author of Relentless who became nationally known for his unconventional approach to school leadership. Originally from New Zealand, Brewer led turnaround schools in Virginia and built a reputation for connecting deeply with at risk students. His LinkedIn content is bold and passionate, and his speaking engagements continue to inspire school leaders to challenge the status quo.

17. Sanee Bell

Sanee Bell is a principal in Katy ISD in Texas and a central office administrator whose LinkedIn content focuses on authentic leadership and creating equitable, high achieving spaces. Named Principal of the Year in her district, Bell contributes to multiple education publications and co-edited the Education Write Now Series. Her posts are thoughtful, data informed, and grounded in practice.

18. Jessica Cabeen

Jessica Cabeen is a principal at Maple Grove Middle School in Minnesota and an NAESP Digital Leader. Her LinkedIn content covers school culture, student leadership, and the practical realities of building relationships in a school community. Cabeen's voice is particularly valuable for elementary and middle level leaders looking for realistic, implementation focused strategies.

19. Beth Houf

Beth Houf is a principal and NASSP board member who co-authored Lead Like a PIRATE with Shelley Burgess. Her LinkedIn presence reflects a commitment to joyful, people centred school leadership. Houf is especially worth following for leaders in rural and suburban settings who want to see how strong culture and bold leadership play out in communities outside major metro areas.

20. Evelyn Edney

Evelyn Edney serves as NASSP Board President and leads an Early College School at Delaware State University. Her focus on secondary school leadership and college access makes her an important voice for principals working to expand postsecondary pathways for students. Edney's LinkedIn content reflects her national advocacy role and her practical experience building bridges between high schools and higher education.

Jonno White, founder of The 7 Questions Movement with 6,000+ participating leaders, facilitates Working Genius sessions and DISC workshops that help school leadership teams understand each other and work together more effectively. Bring Jonno in for your next professional development day or executive team offsite by emailing jonno@consultclarity.org.

Authors, Researchers, and Instructional Voices

These are the people writing the books on your shelf and delivering the professional development sessions that shape your practice. Their LinkedIn content extends the ideas in their published work into shorter, more frequent reflections.

21. Todd Whitaker

Todd Whitaker is a professor of educational leadership at the University of Missouri and the author of more than 50 books, including the national bestseller What Great Teachers Do Differently. Few people in American education have influenced as many principals and teachers through their writing. Whitaker's LinkedIn content distills decades of research and practice into brief, usable insights about what makes schools work.

22. Elena Aguilar

Elena Aguilar is the founder of Bright Morning and author of The Art of Coaching, Onward, and The PD Book. Her work on instructional coaching, resilience, and equity has become essential reading in thousands of school districts. On LinkedIn, Aguilar shares reflections on coaching conversations, emotional resilience for educators, and the structural changes needed to make equity real in schools.

23. Zaretta Hammond

Zaretta Hammond is the author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, one of the most influential books in public education professional development over the past decade. Her Ready for Rigor framework has been adopted by districts across the country. Hammond's LinkedIn presence focuses on the intersection of brain science and equity, helping educators understand why culturally responsive practice is not an add on but a neurological imperative.

24. Jennifer Gonzalez

Jennifer Gonzalez is the founder of Cult of Pedagogy, one of the most widely read education blogs and podcasts in the United States. Her content is relentlessly practical, covering classroom strategies, curriculum design, and technology integration. On LinkedIn, Gonzalez engages actively with educators and shares resources that translate directly into better teaching. She is an essential follow for anyone who wants evidence informed strategies without jargon.

25. Pedro Noguera

Pedro Noguera is Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education and one of the most cited researchers on the sociological impacts of policy, poverty, and demographics on public education. His LinkedIn content brings academic rigour to practical questions about school reform, belonging, and equity. Noguera's voice is especially valuable for leaders who want to ground their decision making in research rather than trends.

26. Linda Darling-Hammond

Linda Darling-Hammond is President of the Learning Policy Institute and Professor Emeritus at Stanford University. Her research on teacher quality, equitable assessment, and education policy has shaped national conversations for decades. While her LinkedIn activity is less frequent than some names on this list, her posts carry significant weight and are widely shared across education networks.

27. Katie Novak

Katie Novak is the author of UDL Now!, Inclusion by Design, and Equity by Design. Her work on Universal Design for Learning has helped thousands of educators move from compliance based inclusion to genuinely learner centred practice. Novak's LinkedIn content is warm, practical, and focused on helping teachers and leaders design learning experiences that work for every student.

28. Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey

Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey are professors and co-authors of numerous bestselling education books on literacy, explicit instruction, and leadership. Their Visible Learning partnership with John Hattie has produced frameworks used in schools worldwide. Together, they are prolific LinkedIn contributors whose content bridges academic research and classroom practice in accessible, actionable ways.

29. Peter DeWitt

Peter DeWitt is a former K-5 teacher and principal who now works as an author, consultant, and Education Week blogger. His LinkedIn content covers instructional leadership, coaching, and the practical mechanics of building inclusive school cultures. DeWitt's discussion threads often attract hundreds of comments from school leaders, making his feed a genuinely interactive learning space.

30. Natalie Wexler

Natalie Wexler is an education writer and author of The Knowledge Gap, a book that has reshaped how many districts think about curriculum, literacy, and knowledge building instruction. Her LinkedIn content is particularly relevant as districts across the country implement Science of Reading initiatives. Wexler's perspective connects reading instruction to the broader question of what students actually learn, not just how they learn to decode.

For more on building effective communication and resolving conflict within school leadership teams, check out Jonno White's bestselling book Step Up or Step Out at https://www.amazon.com.au/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict/dp/B097X7B5LD.

Policy, Advocacy, and Association Leaders

These leaders shape the national conversation about public education through policy, advocacy, and the professional associations that represent millions of educators. Following them keeps you informed about federal and state developments that directly affect your school or district.

31. David Schuler

David Schuler is Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In this role, he leads national advocacy on behalf of more than 13,000 school system leaders. AASA's LinkedIn page is one of the most active in public education, and Schuler's own content focuses on redefining college and career readiness, AI governance in schools, and strengthening the superintendency as a profession.

32. Ronn Nozoe

Ronn Nozoe is CEO of NASSP, the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Under his leadership, NASSP has expanded its leadership networks for women, rural leaders, urban leaders, new principals, and leaders of colour. Nozoe's LinkedIn presence reflects NASSP's focus on empowering secondary school leaders through peer to peer connection and professional advocacy.

33. L. Earl Franks

L. Earl Franks serves as Executive Director of NAESP, the National Association of Elementary School Principals. His work centres on strengthening the principal pipeline and advocating for elementary and middle level school leaders at the federal level. With his retirement announced for 2026, Franks's ongoing LinkedIn content represents the culmination of a career devoted to elevating the role of the principalship.

34. Richard Culatta

Richard Culatta is CEO of ISTE+ASCD, the recently merged organisation that represents hundreds of thousands of educators focused on instructional excellence and educational technology. A former director at the US Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology, Culatta is one of the most important voices on AI in education, digital citizenship, and the responsible integration of technology in public schools. His LinkedIn posts frequently set the agenda for national EdTech conversations.

35. Becky Pringle

Becky Pringle is President of the National Education Association, the largest labour union in the United States representing more than three million educators. Her LinkedIn content focuses on public school advocacy, teacher voice, and education funding policy. Whether or not you agree with every NEA position, following Pringle gives you a direct line to the arguments shaping the national debate about public school investment.

36. Denise Forte

Denise Forte is President and CEO of EdTrust, a national nonprofit that works to close opportunity gaps in education. EdTrust's research and advocacy have influenced policy conversations at both state and federal levels. Forte's LinkedIn content highlights the persistent inequities in public education and shares data driven analysis that can inform district strategy. She is an essential follow for leaders committed to equity as a practical priority, not just a talking point.

37. Robin Lake

Robin Lake is Director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education, a research and policy organisation that studies district strategy, governance, and innovation. Her LinkedIn content provides evidence based perspectives on school choice, district design, and what actually works in school improvement. Lake's voice adds analytical depth to conversations that too often remain at the surface level.

38. Sharif El-Mekki

Sharif El-Mekki is the founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development, a Philadelphia based organisation focused on diversifying the educator workforce. His LinkedIn content addresses the critical shortage of teachers and leaders of colour in public schools and shares strategies for building talent pipelines that reflect the students being served. El-Mekki's voice is urgent, informed, and solutions oriented.

Jonno White, who achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating at the ASBA 2025 National Conference, delivers keynotes on leadership, communication, and team dynamics that resonate with school leaders at every level. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your next conference or professional development event.

EdTech, Innovation, and Digital Learning Leaders

Technology in public schools is no longer a nice to have. These leaders are helping districts navigate AI integration, cybersecurity, digital equity, and the practical realities of putting the right tools in teachers' hands.

39. Thomas C. Murray

Thomas C. Murray is the director of innovation for Future Ready Schools and co-author of Learning Transformed with Eric Sheninger. Named the 2017 Education Thought Leader of the Year, Murray has testified before the US Congress on digital learning and works with districts across the country to implement student centred, future ready strategies. His LinkedIn posts are frequent, empathetic, and focused on the intersection of leadership and technology.

40. Keith Krueger

Keith Krueger is CEO of CoSN, the Consortium for School Networking, which represents K-12 technology leaders. His work on student data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI governance is essential reading for any district navigating the technical complexity of modern schools. Krueger's LinkedIn content translates policy into practical guidance for IT directors and superintendents.

41. Monica Burns

Monica Burns is the founder of ClassTechTips and one of the most platform friendly education technology voices on LinkedIn. Her content is visual, concise, and immediately actionable, focusing on practical EdTech integration for classroom teachers. Burns is a go to follow for educators who want specific tool recommendations and implementation strategies rather than broad commentary.

42. Matt Miller

Matt Miller is the creator of Ditch That Textbook and author of multiple books on technology integration in education. His LinkedIn content features highly visual carousels and practical guides on AI in the classroom, making complex topics accessible for teachers who are not technology specialists. Miller is one of the most active education creators on LinkedIn, posting multiple times per week with strong engagement.

43. Julia Fallon

Julia Fallon is Executive Director of SETDA, the State Educational Technology Directors Association, where she champions digital equity, procurement, and implementation at the state level. Her LinkedIn content is essential for district leaders working to align their technology strategy with state policy frameworks.

44. Ken Shelton

Ken Shelton is an independent consultant and speaker focused on technology equity, digital storytelling, and addressing bias in AI and educational technology. His LinkedIn content challenges educators to think critically about whose voices are centred and whose are marginalised in the tools we adopt. Shelton's perspective is essential for leaders committed to ensuring technology serves all students equitably.

Keynote Speakers and Consultants

These voices have stepped out of traditional roles to reach educators through speaking, consulting, and content creation. Their LinkedIn feeds serve as ongoing professional development between conference seasons.

45. Eric Sheninger

Eric Sheninger is the founder and CEO of Aspire Change EDU and a former award winning principal at New Milford High School, where his school became a globally recognised model for innovation. Author of multiple bestselling books on digital leadership, Sheninger is one of the most active and engaging education voices on LinkedIn. His posts share practical frameworks for AI integration, personalised learning, and school culture transformation.

46. George Couros

George Couros is the author of The Innovator's Mindset and one of the most followed education voices on social media globally. While based in Canada, his work is deeply influential in US public school circles. Couros posts daily on LinkedIn, asking thought provoking questions about leadership and mindset that consistently generate massive discussion threads. Following him is like having a daily leadership reflection prompt in your feed.

47. A.J. Juliani

A.J. Juliani is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of Adaptable and the creator of LearningTools.ai. His work focuses on project based learning, AI adaptation, and design thinking in the classroom. Juliani's LinkedIn content is forward looking and practical, helping educators navigate what is coming next without losing sight of what matters most about teaching.

48. Catlin Tucker

Catlin Tucker is an author and consultant who has become one of the leading voices on blended learning strategies. Her work is distinctive because it explicitly addresses teacher burnout, helping educators design learning experiences that are effective for students without being unsustainable for the adults delivering them. Tucker's LinkedIn content translates her books into bite sized, usable classroom strategies.

49. Katie Martin

Katie Martin is Chief Impact Officer at the Learner-Centered Collaborative and author of Evolving Education. Her LinkedIn content focuses on evolving assessment methods and the shift to genuinely learner centred school design. Martin's perspective is especially valuable for leaders who sense that traditional approaches to grading, testing, and scheduling are no longer serving students well.

50. Cornelius Minor

Cornelius Minor is an educator, author, and one of the most compelling voices on using literacy as a tool for dismantling systemic barriers. His work challenges comfortable assumptions about what equity looks like in practice and pushes educators to act, not just reflect. Minor's LinkedIn content is intellectually rigorous and emotionally honest, making him one of the most impactful follows on this list.

Whether virtual or face to face, Jonno White, trusted facilitator across Australia, UK, USA, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand, India, and Europe, is available to deliver keynotes, workshops, and facilitation sessions for your school leadership team. International travel is often far more affordable than clients expect. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to explore options.

How to Get the Most From Following Education Leaders on LinkedIn

Simply clicking "follow" on 50 profiles will not transform your leadership practice. The value comes from how you engage with the content that appears in your feed. Here is a practical approach to turning your LinkedIn time into genuine professional learning.

Start by following 10 to 15 leaders from different categories on this list. Mix superintendents with authors, policy voices with practitioners. This diversity of perspective is what prevents echo chambers and keeps your thinking sharp. After two weeks, notice whose posts consistently make you stop and reflect. Those are your keepers.

Comment on at least two posts per week. Not "great post" comments, but substantive responses that share your own experience or ask a follow up question. This is how you move from passive scrolling to active network building. Many of the leaders on this list actively reply to thoughtful comments.

Save posts that contain frameworks, strategies, or data you want to revisit. LinkedIn's save feature is underused but powerful. At the end of each month, review your saved posts and identify one idea worth implementing in your school or district.

Finally, consider sharing your own reflections. You do not need to be a thought leader to contribute. Sharing what you are learning, testing, or struggling with in your own building is exactly the kind of content that builds authentic professional community on the platform.

Common Mistakes When Building Your Education LinkedIn Network

Following only people who agree with you is the most common mistake school leaders make on LinkedIn. The education space is deeply polarised on topics like school choice, testing, and curriculum. Deliberately following voices across the spectrum, from progressive advocates to reform minded policy thinkers, makes you a more informed leader.

Treating LinkedIn like a news feed rather than a network is another missed opportunity. Reading posts is valuable, but the platform's real power comes from the relationships you build through consistent engagement. Leaders who comment, share, and connect report significantly more professional benefit than those who only scroll.

Ignoring the association leaders is surprisingly common. AASA, NASSP, NAESP, and ISTE+ASCD shape the national conversation about public education in ways that directly affect your daily work. Their pages and leaders' profiles are among the most information dense resources on LinkedIn.

Expecting LinkedIn to replace structured professional development is unrealistic. The platform is a supplement, not a substitute. Use it to discover ideas, but then invest in the deeper work of implementation through workshops, coaching, and team based learning.

Finally, giving up too quickly is understandable but costly. It takes 30 to 60 days of consistent engagement before LinkedIn's algorithm begins serving you genuinely relevant content. The initial noise clears as the platform learns your interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best thought leaders in public education in the USA to follow on LinkedIn?

The best thought leaders in US public education on LinkedIn include practicing superintendents like Alberto Carvalho and Roosevelt Nivens, influential authors like Todd Whitaker and Zaretta Hammond, policy leaders like Richard Culatta and David Schuler, and digital learning innovators like Eric Sheninger and Thomas C. Murray. The full list of 50 leaders in this guide covers six categories to ensure comprehensive coverage.

How do I find education thought leaders who are active on LinkedIn?

Look for leaders who post at least weekly, respond to comments on their posts, and share original frameworks or reflections rather than simply resharing news articles. The leaders highlighted in this guide were selected in part for their consistent LinkedIn activity. Following the LinkedIn pages of AASA, NASSP, NAESP, and ISTE+ASCD will also surface active voices in your feed.

What topics are US public education thought leaders discussing on LinkedIn right now?

The dominant topics in 2025 and 2026 include AI integration in classrooms and school operations, the ESSER funding cliff and its budget implications, chronic absenteeism, cell phone restrictions, the teacher and principal pipeline crisis, evidence based literacy, student mental health, cybersecurity in schools, and community trust building.

Which professional associations in public education should I follow on LinkedIn?

The five essential association LinkedIn pages for US public school leaders are AASA (superintendents), NASSP (secondary principals), NAESP (elementary principals), ISTE+ASCD (instructional excellence and technology), and CoSN (school technology leaders). Learning Forward, NSBA, and SETDA are also valuable for specific focus areas.

Can I hire someone to help my leadership team work better together?

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership consultant who works with schools around the world. Jonno delivers Working Genius sessions, DISC workshops, and StrengthsFinder facilitation to help school leadership teams understand each other and collaborate more effectively. Many organisations find that flying Jonno in costs less than engaging high profile local providers. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to start a conversation.

Are there education focused LinkedIn newsletters worth subscribing to?

Several thought leaders on this list publish LinkedIn newsletters, including George Couros (The Innovator's Mindset), Matt Miller (Ditch That Textbook), and Jennifer Gonzalez (Cult of Pedagogy). Organisation newsletters from AASA, EdSurge, and ASCD SmartBrief also deliver high quality education content directly to your LinkedIn inbox.

What education podcasts are hosted by people active on LinkedIn?

Recommended education podcasts from leaders active on LinkedIn include the Cult of Pedagogy Podcast (Jennifer Gonzalez), Better Leaders Better Schools (Daniel Bauer), The Innovator's Mindset Podcast (George Couros), Ditch That Textbook (Matt Miller), My EdTech Life (Alfonso Mendoza), and UnDisrupted (Adam Phyall III and Carl Hooker). These shows extend the conversations happening on LinkedIn into deeper, long form discussions.

Final Thoughts

Leading a public school or district in the United States has never been more complex or more important. The 50 leaders profiled in this guide represent the best of what LinkedIn can offer: practical wisdom, research informed perspective, bold advocacy, and genuine community. Following them will not solve your staffing crisis or balance your budget, but it will ensure you are never leading in isolation.

The strongest school leaders are the ones who keep learning. They read, they listen, they connect. They are as curious about what is happening in a district across the country as they are about what is happening in their own hallways. LinkedIn, used well, makes that kind of connected leadership possible without adding another meeting to your calendar.

If this guide has been useful, share it with a colleague who is building their own professional network. And if you want to go deeper on team development, communication, or leadership alignment, Jonno White would love to hear from you. As a Certified Working Genius Facilitator and bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with 10,000+ copies sold globally, Jonno works with schools around the world to build the kind of leadership teams that make everything else possible.

To book Jonno White for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

About the Author

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership consultant who has worked with schools, corporates, and nonprofits across the UK, India, Australia, Canada, Mongolia, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, USA, Finland, Namibia, and more. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally, and his podcast The Leadership Conversations has featured 230+ episodes reaching listeners in 150+ countries. Jonno founded The 7 Questions Movement with 6,000+ participating leaders and achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating for his Working Genius masterclass at the ASBA 2025 National Conference. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Jonno works globally and regularly travels for speaking and facilitation engagements. Organisations consistently find that international travel is far more affordable than expected.

To book Jonno for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Next Read: 50 Best PD Speakers for Schools in the USA (2026)

If you found this guide to thought leaders on LinkedIn useful, you will want to explore our companion resource on professional development speakers for schools. This comprehensive guide profiles 50 of the best PD speakers available for school conferences, teacher in-service days, and leadership events in the United States.

From Ron Clark and Kim Bearden at the Ron Clark Academy to research grounded voices like Dr. Robert Marzano and Dr. John Almarode, this guide covers the full spectrum of speakers available to schools and districts. Each entry includes their specialty, what they are best known for, and who they are the best fit for.

Keep reading: https://www.consultclarity.org/post/pd-speakers-schools-usa