PJ Caposey is the Superintendent of Schools for Oregon CUSD 220 and former Superintendent of Meridian CUSD 223. He is the former Illinois State Superintendent of the Year and a Runner-Up for the National Superintendent of the Year through the American Association of School Administrators. PJ is a best-selling author of ten books, dynamic speaker, and a transformational leader and educator with an incredible track record of success. 

PJ began his career as an award-winning teacher in the inner-city of Chicago and has subsequently led significant change in every administrative post he has held. He became a principal at the age of 28 and within three years was able to lead a small-town / rural school with a history of achieving near the bottom of its county to multiple national recognitions. After four years, PJ moved to his current district, Meridian CUSD 223, as superintendent, and has since led a similar turnaround leading to several national recognitions for numerous efforts.

PJ is a best-selling author and has written Ten books for various publishers. His work and commentary has been featured on sites such as The Washington Post, NPR, CBS This Morning, ASCD, Edutopia, The Huffington Post (HuffPost), and was featured in a Global Leaders Forum thinkpiece alongside the likes of General Petraeus and General McChrystal. He consistently works in the Education Department of five universities (NIU, Buena Vista University, Grand Canyon University, Columbia, and Aurora University), notably including one within the Ivy League, and in a myriad of capacities with the Illinois Principals Association, including as a principal coach and author of the first complete stack of MicroCredentials offered in Illinois.

PJ has been fortunate to be honored with many personal awards and accolades in addition to the various district recognitions which have been earned under his leadership. Additionally, he has been asked to serve in an advisory or consulting capacity for many education-related companies and organizations. 

PERSONAL ACCOLADES

• Community Champion, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, 2024

• Top 30 EdTech Influencer, EdTech Magazine, 2023

• Illinois State Superintendent of the Year, 2022

• ISTE Making IT Happen, 2019

• Regional Superintendent of the Year, 2017

• Tech and Learning Leader of the Year - Runner Up, 2017

• INSPRA Distinguished Service Award, 2016

• 40 Under 40, 2016 

• NSPRA 25 Superintendents to Watch, 2016

• EIU Distinguished Alumnus, 2016

• Those Who Excel - Award of Merit, 2015

• Regional Principal of the Year, 2014

• ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Honoree, 2013

• ASCD Emerging Leader, 2013

• Horace Mann Partners in Education, 2012

DISTRICT ACCOLADES

• Partners for Excellence (Baldridge) Gold Distinction - 2024 (1st district to be recognized as this in over 20 years)

• US News and World Report recognition, 2017-24

• IASB Governance Award, 2016-23

• EduJedi award from the Learning Counsel, 2019

• Illinois Performance Excellence Bronze Award, 2018

• National School of Opportunity, 2017

• District Administration Magazine District of Distinction, 2016

ADVISORY/EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER or CONSULTANT (all current unless otherwise stated; individual school districts excluded from list)

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

• Institute for Education Innovation

• Total School Solutions

• Resonance Education

• Sarah Williamson PR Group

• MB Simple Solutions

• GenParenting

• Performance Learning

• ThoughtExchange, 2019-21

• Illinois ASCD, 2012-18

PJ is a sought after keynote presenter, consultant, and provider of professional development. He has recently keynoted several national conferences with expertise in time management, the tyranny of the status quo, school culture, continuous improvement, social media, and teacher evaluation. PJ lives in Northwest Illinois with his wife, who is also an educator, and their four children.