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Dr. Jesus F. Jara, a member of the Chiefs for Change Future Chiefs program, was selected today to serve as Superintendent for the Clark County School District in Nevada. He will bring to the district a clear vision of equity and excellence for all students as well as a wealth of experience, which includes teaching and school leadership in addition to business, operations, and district leadership. Jara currently serves as Deputy Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) in Florida. He is a member of the third cohort of Chiefs for Change’s Future Chiefs program, which aims to build a diverse pipeline of state and district education leaders.
“Jesus is a skilled, visionary leader with the experience and the determination to close long-standing achievement gaps for kids,” said Chiefs for Change CEO Mike Magee. “As a Future Chief, he has had the opportunity to learn from the country’s boldest, most innovative education leaders, and he will continue to collaborate with them as he transitions into his new role as Superintendent.”
The Chiefs for Change Future Chiefs program was created to address the lack of practical preparation for the complex job of leading state and large urban school systems. The program also aims to diversify a field that remains disproportionately white and male despite the fact that most teachers are women and that the majority of today’s public school students are children of color. The program identifies some of the most talented, diverse emerging leaders, integrates them into a community with current Chiefs, and gives them a set of experiences, placement supports, and preparation that will enable school systems to choose skilled, ready leaders. As a new Chief, Jara will continue to participate in the program, where he will have access to the support and mentorship of some of the nation’s most successful education system leaders.
“Jesus F. Jara, Ed.D., is the right leader for the job,” said Chiefs for Change member and Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Canavero, Ph.D. “I look forward to partnering with him to ensure all students receive a world-class education and gain access to the college and career opportunities they deserve.”
“Clark County is welcoming a committed educator and courageous leader to their community. In OCPS, Jesus has been critical to our team and leading students to success. I have no doubt he’ll continue to find success in his new home,” said Chiefs for Change member and OCPS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins.
As Superintendent of Clark County School District, Jara will support the fifth largest district in the country with more than 320,000 students. The district educates almost 75 percent of all Nevada students and is the largest employer in the state. “I’m deeply humbled to have been selected to lead Clark County School District. I truly enjoyed meeting so many members of this vibrant community and am eager to dig into the work with the Trustees,” Jara said. “Public education opened doors in my own life and in the lives of my three children. I am committed to ensuring it does the same for all Clark County students.”
Learn more about the Chiefs for Change Future Chiefs program in this short video.