Dr. Derek Mitchell is an outstanding district reform leader who has worked with some of the most respected former superintendents in the country including Rudy Crew, John Deasy and John Simpson.

Born and raised in Chicago, Derek attended Pomona College in Claremont, CA and later earned a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. While at UCLA, Derek worked at the Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing (CRESST), helping to pioneer school and district information management systems and data-driven technologies. Derek then served as the Director of Technology and Student Achievement for the Oakland Unified School District where he addressed equity-related challenges in assessment, technology and achievement. Subsequently, he joined the Stupski Foundation and managed efforts to support district-wide reform across the country, including in districts such as Jackson Public Schools in Mississippi and the Baltimore City Public Schools System in Maryland. Most recently, as Executive Director of the Opportunity Zone in Prince George's County in Maryland, Derek has been leading critical efforts to instill innovative school options as a core component of district-wide reforms.

"Derek Mitchell is a brilliant educator and a passionate leader. He will build on the strong reputation Partners in School Innovation has established. I look forward to working with Derek in this new role." - Ted Mitchell, CEO of NewSchools Venture Fund

"Mitchell is a vibrant young leader, relentless in his pursuit for social justice and wholly dedicated to the highest quality education opportunities for all students, especially children too often disenfranchised because of race, ethnicity, poverty and language. He is a strategic thinker who quickly brings focus to the work and is completely approachable, accessible and responsive to internal and external constituents." - John Simpson, past Broad Award winning Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools, VA