Monique M. Chism
Monique M. Chism is a vice president for Policy, Practice, and Systems Change at AIR. In this role, she leads the six federally funded Comprehensive Centers at AIR. These national content centers and regional assistance centers provide technical assistance to State Educational Agencies (SEAs) to help increase and build SEA capacity to support their districts and schools, facilitate policy change, enhance workforce competencies, foster behavior change, and transform overall systems to improve teaching and learning for all students.
With more than 22 years of experience in education, Dr. Chism is a renowned expert in educational equity, statewide systems of support, supporting effective teachers and leaders, creating safe and healthy schools, and turning around low-performing schools and districts. Most recently, she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education for the U.S. Department of Education (Department). In this role, she was advisor to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Education on pre-K–12 education policy, oversaw the direction of eight program offices, and led key aspects of the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Prior to joining the Department, she was the Assistant Superintendent for Innovation and Improvement at the Illinois State Board of Education. Dr. Chism also taught for eight years and previously worked at Learning Point Associates. Dr. Chism earned her B.A. from Ohio University and M.A. from Central Michigan University, both in Interpersonal and Public Communication; and her Ph.D. in American Studies from Michigan State University. In addition, as a graduate of the School for the Creative and Performing Arts high school in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she majored in dance and theater, she supports and enjoys the arts.