2026 AIA/CES Conference Session Participation Form »
TUESDAY | APRIL 21, 2026
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Dr. John B. Gordon III
Dr. John B. Gordon III is the division superintendent of Suffolk (VA) Public Schools. A lifetime educator with leadership experiences in Chesterfield, Fredericksburg, and Richmond, Dr. Gordon understands how education should be customized to fit the needs of all students while expanding opportunities for their future. As a former successful high school basketball coach, where he won numerous championships over a ten year career, he is an expert in team building and strategic planning and serves as a role model to today’s youth. Dr. Gordon was the first African-American principal at James Monroe High School and the first African American chairman of the Virginia High School League. A renowned speaker and motivator, Dr. Gordon is the author of
The Teacher’s Lounge: The Real Role of Educators in Your Schools, which navigates life as an African American male in predominantly white suburbia. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Old Dominion University, and is president of Schools That Inspire, LLC, where he develops transformational strategies for students, teachers, and instructional leaders. Dr. Gordon was recently named as a “2022 Superintendent to Watch” by the National School Public Relations Association. Dr. Gordon is also the President-Elect of the Virginia Alliance of Black School Educators, and the Vice-Chair for Region II. Dr. Gordon earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Virginia, a master’s of education with a concentration in social studies from the University of Virginia, a post-master’s certificate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech. He has three children, Marcus, Kennedy, and Simone. Website:
https://schoolsthatinspire.com.
The Education Venture: Kids, Schools, and the Community
“The Education Venture: Kids, Schools, and the Community” examines the interconnected roles of children, educational institutions, and the broader community in shaping meaningful learning experiences. This presentation highlights how intentional school design—encompassing physical spaces, learning environments, and organizational structures—can support student engagement, promote well-being, and strengthen community partnerships. By exploring models of collaborative school planning and community-integrated design, attendees will gain insight into how learning spaces can be built or reimagined to foster innovation, equity, and belonging. The session further emphasizes the importance of aligning school design with the diverse needs of children and the resources of the surrounding community to create sustainable, inclusive educational ecosystems that empower every learner.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key factors that influence the relationship between students, schools, and the surrounding community, and explain how these factors impact academic and social development.
- Analyze effective models of school-community partnership and evaluate how collaborative approaches can support student well-being, engagement, and achievement.
- Develop strategies for leveraging community partnership including parents, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and civic institutions to enhance educational opportunities and close equity gaps.
- Design actionable plans that promote inclusive, culturally responsive, and sustainable partnerships that strengthen the educational ecosystem and improve long-term outcomes for all learners.