The League of Innovative Schools is guided and advised in its work by the following district leaders:
Dr. Vilicia Cade is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital School District in Dover, Delaware. She is known for her visionary leadership and her belief that education, including digital inequities, is a 21st century civil rights issue. Her tenure as an educational leader has been characterized by her demonstrated success in improving outcomes for students through non-traditional programs and partnerships.
Lynwood Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, has enjoyed nearly 30 years in education while teaching, mentoring, and removing barriers to student success. Since joining Lynwood in 2010 as Director of School Reform, Crosthwaite’s collaborative work and leadership has been instrumental to the district’s extraordinary gains in student achievement, including rising graduation rates and increasing participation and success in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework. Crosthwaite is a member of the League of Innovative Schools, the Rise Up Coalition, Edloc, and the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering. He also serves on the board of the Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation. Crosthwaite earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and two master’s degrees: one from California State University, Los Angeles, in Educational Administration and another from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He earned his Ph.D. in Education from Claremont Graduate University.
Dr. Nathan L. Fisher is the superintendent of schools for Roselle Public Schools (RPS). He has served in numerous roles across the district for more than three decades, including having served as the former principal of a 2020 National School of Character. As superintendent, Dr. Fisher has implemented numerous character education, SEL, and digital initiatives. He is an active member of the League of Innovative Schools and has spearheaded Roselle’s involvement in various Digital Promise projects, including Data Interoperability, Inclusive Innovation, LeanLab, and Verizon Innovative Learning Schools. Dr. Fisher was awarded the Citation Award from Phi Delta Kappa, the Geraldine Dodge Fellowship Grant for Principal Leadership, the Community Service Award from the National Council of Negro Women, and the NAACP: Roselle Branch Role Model Award. Dr. Fisher earned his bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University, master’s degree from Kean University, and his Ph.D. in Education degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Bob Hill has served as the proud superintendent of the Springfield City School District since 2015. This year, 2023, marks his twenty-sixth year in public education and his twenty-second year as an education administrator. Dr. Hill has served as a coach, teacher, assistant high school principal, high school principal, superintendent, and adjunct professor. Additionally, Dr. Hill serves as the president of the Clark County Family Children First Council, a member of the Department of Job and Family Services Family Planning Council, a member of the Clark State College Foundation Board of Directors, and a member of the Global Impact Stem Academy Board of Directors. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Denison University, as well as a master of education degree, and doctorate of education degree in leadership from Ashland University. Before accepting the position in Springfield, Dr. Hill served as the superintendent of Firelands Local Schools near Cleveland.
Dr. Michael Loughead is the superintendent of Hampton Township School District. Dr. Loughead has more than 30 years of experience in public education and a commitment to providing innovative, student-focused learning with an emphasis on the whole child. Dr. Loughead began his career serving students in rural West Virginia, providing various support services, including teaching, counseling, and psychology. He transitioned to school administration at the Pine Richland School District, where he served as the director of student services. He held the position of assistant superintendent at the Burrell School District and the South Fayette School District prior to being appointed as superintendent of the Hampton Township School District in 2016. Dr. Loughead is presently a visiting professor at the University Pittsburgh School of Education. He was selected to participate in the prestigious Forum for Western Pennsylvania School Superintendents and received the Pennsylvania Association for Curriculum Development Award from PASCD.
Dr. Julie Mitchell is the superintendent of Rowland Unified School District. With 35 years of experience in public education, Dr. Mitchell is committed to providing all students with an exceptional educational experience which will assist them with becoming thriving members of an ever-changing global society. Dr. Mitchell has dedicated her entire career to ensuring that each and every child is given every opportunity to succeed and achieve. Her leadership has brought a laser focus and unwavering vision and commitment to “Innovative Learning for All” that supports the individual needs of students, families, and staff. This vision has garnered the Rowland Unified School District with many state and national awards, including being named as a 2018 Visionary School District featured at the National Model Schools Conference, receiving a Districts of Distinction honor by District Administration Magazine.
Dr. Melissa Moore is superintendent of the El Segundo Unified School District (ESUSD) in Southern California. An educator for more than 35 years, she was honored as Superintendent of the Year in 2018 by the Association of California School Administrators (Region 14). ESUSD joined the League of Innovative Schools in 2016. Under Dr. Moore’s guidance, ESUSD adopted a Graduate Profile; implemented Project Lead the Way/STEM curriculum for K-12; brought the Yale Institute for Social Emotional Learning’s RULER Approach to the district; and implemented a 1:1 technology initiative for grades K-12. She received the 8th Congressional District Woman of Distinction Award, USC Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group Merit Scholarship Award, and a Leading Educator Scholarship to ASU’s Global Silicon Valley Summit. She earned a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in education from California State University, Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Redlands.
Dr. Michael Nagler is superintendent of Mineola Public Schools, a suburb of New York City. While teaching social studies in NYC, he earned his doctorate from Columbia University and accepted an administrative position with Mineola in 1999. He believes strongly in the district’s mission to inspire students to become lifelong learners that exhibit strength of character and contribute positively to a global society. During his more than 18 years with the district, he has been a big proponent of using technology to engage students in rigorous content. Dr. Nagler has also been instrumental in creating a platform to assess student learning using electronic portfolios and digital badges. He even coded his own digital portfolio. All five schools in Mineola are recognized as Apple Distinguished Schools. In 2020, Dr. Nagler was named New York State Superintendent of the Year by the New York State Council of School Superintendents.
League of Innovative Schools