The 2025 Clarke Innovation Conference will be held in-person on 

August 11, 2026

At Clarke County High School (627 Mosby Blvd, Berryville, VA 22611)

About

https://www.andyjacks.com/about 

Andy Jacks is a practicing elementary school principal, author, speaker, and leadership educator with nearly three decades of experience helping schools strengthen culture, improve instruction, and build systems that create lasting results. Throughout his career, he has led preschool through eighth grade schools through significant organizational improvement, transforming school culture, strengthening instructional systems, developing leadership capacity, and improving outcomes for students and staff. Andy currently serves as the very proud Principal of Ellis Elementary School in Prince William County, Virginia, where he continues to lead, learn, and collaborate with an amazing crew.

His work has earned recognition at the local, state, and national levels, including being named Virginia Principal of the Year and a National Distinguished Principal. Schools under his leadership have been recognized for innovation, sustained improvement, and leadership development, including hosting visits from the U.S. Secretary of Education and other educational leaders interested in learning from the work taking place in his schools.

Beyond his work as a principal, Andy serves as a Senior Fellow with the NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership, helping support principal development across the United States. He also serves as President of the Autism Society of Northern Virginia, bringing together his professional experience and his perspective as the parent of a child with a disability to advocate for individuals with autism and their families. 

Andy earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech, where his dissertation, Reducing Exclusionary Discipline for Students with Disabilities, focused on building more inclusive schools through proactive leadership and systemic change. His research continues to influence his work in leadership, school culture, and organizational improvement, and led to his writing of Discipline Win. Andy uses this research in presentations for schools, school divisions, state and national associations,  universities, and other leadership organizations around the world. His presentations combine research, practical strategies, and real-world experience to help leaders strengthen culture, improve execution, and create meaningful, lasting impact.