Top 10 Heads of School - 2026

Education is most effective when it is built around how students learn. As Head of School at The Prentice School in Orange County, Green leads a learning community intentionally designed for students with dyslexia, ADHD and other language-based learning differences. Rather than adapting a traditional school structure for these learners, her responsibility is not only to teach but to rebuild confidence and create an environment where students can flourish.

Willy LeBihan is a bilingual French-American educator with more than 30 years’ experience in international education. Founder of the French School of Maine, La Maison Française du Maine, and the French American School of Tampa Bay, he was awarded the Médaille de la Défense Nationale and the Chevalier des Palmes Académiques by the French Government for his work in Education and Culture. LeBihan is also a classical guitarist and an avid outdoorsman as he splits his time between life and schools in Maine and Florida.

Kathy Kotchick is the Head of School at the French International School of Philadelphia, a dual-accredited French immersion institution. She began her career as a public-school teacher in Baltimore, specializing in collaborative learning and teacher training. Her leadership spans technology integration, program innovation, admissions and community engagement in international education.

Ashley Rae Mathis brings more than 18 years of experience across classrooms, cities and continents to her role as Head of School at Notre Dame High School. From teaching kindergarten in Nevada to working in Southern California, Dallas, and South Africa, her journey reflects a deep-rooted commitment to education as both a profession and a calling.

Phu Tranchi is an experienced education leader with a career shaped through decades of classroom teaching and school leadership. As Head of School at TREE Academy, he leads a progressive, student-centered learning model grounded in experiential education, community engagement and real-world application. He draws on his prior roles as Director of Community Engagement and Experiential Learning at Oakwood School and Principal of General Studies at Shalhevet High School to advance inclusive learning.

Meagan Edwards is an accomplished education leader with over two decades of experience driving school transformation and equity-focused student outcomes. From teacher to principal, she built a strong track record in campus turnaround, teacher development and community partnerships. She now serves as Head of Schools at YES Prep, championing choice-filled futures for Houston students.

Karli Thompson is an experienced education leader with over two decades in teaching and school management, including early adoption of virtual education. She specializes in educational leadership, school operations and driving student success through structured systems. Her work focuses on building high-performing learning environments and leading impactful academic programs.

District of Columbia Public Schools is a comprehensive public school district committed to academic excellence, equity and student achievement across Washington, D.C. Serving a diverse student population, the district emphasizes innovative learning, educator development and community collaboration to create supportive educational environments that prepare students for higher education, careers and future leadership opportunities.

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is a large urban public school system dedicated to providing high-quality education and equitable opportunities for students across Cleveland. Through innovative academic programs, community partnerships and student-centered initiatives, the district focuses on preparing learners for college, careers and lifelong success while strengthening educational outcomes throughout the community.

Natasha Flowers Pinnix serves as Head of Schools at KIPP Texas Public Schools, a public charter school network serving Pre-K–12 students across Texas. With a strong background in campus leadership and student-centered education, she focuses on strengthening school culture, academic outcomes, and leadership development. Her work reflects a commitment to creating supportive learning environments where students, educators, and families can thrive.