Suggestions
Aj Crabill
Student Outcomes Evangelist
AJ Crabill is a prominent education leader and advocate focused on improving student outcomes through transformative governance practices. He currently serves as the National Director of Governance at the Council of the Great City Schools in Washington, DC, and as Senior Coach at EffectiveSchoolBoards.com.3 Crabill is also Education Faculty at the Leadership Institute of Nevada, where he trains aspiring principals and superintendents.2
Crabill's background is deeply rooted in personal experience. Raised in foster care, he attended 11 different schools before graduating high school, experiencing a wide range of educational environments.2 This diverse background has fueled his passion for advocating for vulnerable youth and improving education systems.
Some key aspects of Crabill's career and philosophy include:
-
He served as Conservator at DeSoto Independent School District in Texas, where he helped improve the district's ratings from F to B in academics, finance, and governance.23
-
Crabill previously held positions as Deputy Commissioner of Education for the State of Texas and board chair for Kansas City Public Schools.3
-
His core philosophy is that "student outcomes don't change until adult behaviors change," emphasizing the importance of transforming adult mindsets, knowledge, and skills to improve education.15
-
Crabill has authored a book titled "Great On Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Become Effective," which addresses public school board governance practices.3
-
He has received recognition for his work, including the Education Commission of the State's James Bryant Conant Award for extraordinary contributions to national education policy.3
Crabill's approach focuses on helping school boards and education leaders prioritize student outcomes, often through restructuring meeting agendas, setting clear goals, and holding leadership accountable for results.45 His work extends beyond education, as he has also served on various non-profit boards and remains involved in tech startups.2


