Transform Your Leadership through Creativity
Coach, trainer, speaker on leadership and creativity
Biography
About Gary
Dr. Gary Waddell has served as a leader, trainer, and author in schools, school districts, and county offices of education in California.
He served as Superintendent of Santa Clara Unified School District and previously served as Deputy Superintendent of the San Mateo County Office of Education, overseeing instructional services, assessment and accountability, early learning, among other areas. He also served as associate superintendent of the Santa Clara County Office of Education. There, he led the Equity and Educational Progress, overseeing public affairs, media and communication, assessment and accountability, state and federal programs, and inclusion initiatives.
Dr. Waddell holds four degrees including a doctorate in Educational Leadership. He has served as counselor, principal, county Deputy Superintendent, and Superintendent through his career. He is a former chair of California's Curriculum & Instruction Steering Committee, statewide arts education committee, and math committees.
His career has been focused on creativity, equity, and closing achievement and opportunity gaps through programs of excellence for all children and youth. . Some of his signature achievements as Superintendent include development and implementation of strategic arts, the "One Million Acts of Kindness" campaign, and leading with empathy, vision, and commitment to all children. He is the author of "The Art of Everything: Leading for We in the Age of Me" and has been recognized with variety of awards in human rights, leadership, and closing achievement and opportunity gaps. He was recognized as the statewide counselor of the year earlier in his career and has been recognized with state and national leadership awards.