Current & Former Honorees
Congratulations to the 2025 萝莉网National Superintendent of the Year庐
Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr., Jefferson County Schools, Ala.
As the superintendent of Jefferson County Schools in Birmingham, Ala., Walter Gonsoulin Jr. oversees 56 schools with 35,000 students in an area that鈥檚 roughly the size of Rhode Island. It鈥檚 the state鈥檚 second largest district, with a diverse student body.
Gonsoulin was ready for the task when he took on the job in 2020. He already had spent several years serving as deputy superintendent and interim superintendent. He dove right in, tackling challenges such as chronic absenteeism and spearheading changes in the school district鈥檚 zoning patterns to open up learning opportunities to students, regardless of where they lived.
鈥淗e is a visionary leader who provides a clear, innovative and strategic vision for improving educational opportunities for all students,鈥� says Carita Venable, a board member for Jefferson County Schools.
For his ambitious leadership and achievements, Gonsoulin, 56, was named the 2025 Alabama State Superintendent of the Year and then, at the 萝莉网National Conference on Education in New Orleans, the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year. He鈥檚 the first Alabama educator to win the prestigious annual honor, first awarded in 1989.
View the 萝莉网Press Release Announcing Walter's Honor
A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 萝莉网National Superintendent of the Year庐 to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated, or the school now serving the same area.
Other 2025 Finalists
Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat
Peoria Public School District 150, Ill.
Debbie Jones
Bentonville School District, Ark.
David K. Moore
School District of Indian River County, Fla.
2024: Joe Gothard, Saint Paul Public Schools (Minn.)
2023: Kevin McGowan, Brighton Central Schools (N.Y.)
2022: Curtis Cain, Wentzville School District (Mo.)
2021: Michelle Reid, Northshore School District (Wash.)
2020: Gustavo Balderas, Eugene School District 4J (Ore.)
2019: Curtis Jones, Bibb County School District (Ga.)
2018: David Schuler, Township High School District (Ill.)
2017: Matthew Utterback, North Clackamas School District (Ore.)
2016: Thomas S. W. Tucker, Princeton City Schools (Ohio)
2015: Philip D. Lanoue, Clarke County School District (Ga.)
2014: Alberto M. Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (Fla.)
2013: Mark A. Edwards, Mooresville Graded School District (N.C.)
2012: Heath Morrison, Washoe County School District (Nev.)
2011: Marcus P. Johnson, Sanger Unified School District (Calif.)
2010: Betty Molina Morgan, Washington County Public Schools (Md.)
2009: Beverly Hall, Atlanta Public Schools (Ga.)
2008: Rudolph F. Crew, Miami-Dade County School District (Fla.)
2007: Krista Parent, South Lane School District (Ore.)
2006: Manuel J. Rivera, Rochester City School District (N.Y.)
2005: Monte C. Moses, Cherry Creek School District (Colo.)
2004: William R. McNeal, Jr., Wake County School District (N.C.)
2003: Kenneth A. Dragseth, Edina Public Schools (Minn.)
2002: Gail G. Uilkema, Piedmont Unified School District (Calif.)
2001: Rod Paige, Houston Independent School District (Texas)
2000: F. Donald Saul, Thompson School District (Colo.)
1999: N. Gerry House, Memphis City Schools (Tenn.)
1998: Barbara Grohe, Iowa City Community School District (Iowa)
1997: John R. O'Rourke, Pittsford Central School District (N.Y.)
1996: Janet N. Barry, Central Kitsap School District (Wash.)
1995: Robert R. Spillane, Fairfax County Public Schools (Va.)
1994: Kenneth L. Moffett, Lennox School District (Calif.)
1993: Kenneth S. Burnley, Colorado Springs School District (Colo.)
1992: Donald W. Ingwerson, Jefferson County Public Schools (Ky.)
1991: Carol G. Peck, Alhambra School District (Ariz.)
1990: Donald R. Draayer, Minnetoka Public Schools (Minn.)
1989: James A. Wilsford, Orangeburg School District (S.C.)
1988: Gene R. Carter, Norfolk Public Schools (Va.)
Thank You to our National Superintendent of the Year Partners
Questions?
Contact awards@aasa.org
or call 703-875-0709