Dr. Leak holds a BS in Mathematics, MS in Educational Administration, and PhD in Leadership and Policy Studies. Dr. Donna Leak began her career as a 6th grade math teacher and she went on to teach high school mathematics and became the youngest and first African American Department Chairperson at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
In 1999, Dr. Leak left the public education sector to work as an International Consultant for Mathematics. Dr. Leak worked with the Department of Defense and American Community Schools in Western Europe, Asia, and South America. She has trained thousands of teachers abroad, and in large domestic areas such as New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Memphis.
Leak is the Superintendent of Community Consolidated Schools District 168 in Sauk Village, IL and serves as the Vice Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education. As Vice Chair of the State Board, she has been instrumental in updates to the mission, vision, goals, equity statement and updated strategic plan for the state of Illinois.
Past AASA Illinois Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2020 Illinois Superintendent of the Year: Kevin Blankenship
2019 Illinois Superintendent of the Year: Gary Kelly
About the Superintendent of the Year:
As a sponsor of the superintendent of the Year program, First Student wants to recognize these leaders in a special way this year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruption that has affected all education systems but also the innovative approaches that the superintendents and school districts addressed through radio, television, zoom and take-home packages. These superintendents are the very best in public education and are needed more than ever during this crisis.
About the Award:
The superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, The School superintendents Association, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State level winners are selected on the following criteria:
- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement