Cheryl James-Ward

Dr. Cheryl James-Ward

Dr. Cheryl James-Ward comes to SDUHSD after her role as the CEO and Chief Engagement & Innovation Officer of e3 Civic High, recognized as one of the most innovative schools in the nation. Prior to joining e3 Civic High, Dr. Ward was a tenured professor for San Diego State University. While at SDSU, she served as the Founding Director of the online Master of Arts Program in Educational Leadership, led the SDSU Chinese and American Educational Leadership Symposiums, and taught both master’s and doctoral level courses.

Dr. Ward's other educational experiences include Director of Academic Initiatives for the Long Beach Unified School District with 15000 students under her leadership. She has served as Principal and Vice Principal for the Long Beach Unified School District, Principal for Capri Elementary in Encinitas, and Dean of Student Discipline as well as Math Teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Dr. Ward is a renowned researcher in both leadership and future leaning schools. She has published numerous articles in leadership and technology journals, including the National Association of Secondary School Principals Leadership Journal, Frontiers in Education Technology, Educational Administration Quarterly, ASCD Principal Leadership, Association of California School Administrators Leadership Journal, Voices in the Middle and Education Technology Review. She is the lead author for the book, Using Data to Focus Instructional Improvement.

Dr. Ward has lived in Carmel Valley with her husband Dr. Randy Ward, the retired County Superintendent of Schools, and their two children Jernie and James for over sixteen years.