Dr. Francisco Durán is the Superintendent of Arlington Public Schools in Arlington, Virginia. Dr. Durán has a diverse background in education spanning 26 years, including top-level leadership and superintendent experience in a variety of large urban school divisions. Dr. Durán began his career in Albuquerque Public Schools as a special education assistant, while earning his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Durán went on to earn a master’s degree in Educational Administration from San Francisco State University, a master’s degree in Organization and Leadership from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, and a Doctorate in Organization and Leadership from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. He served as a middle school Spanish, language arts and social studies teacher while in Albuquerque and California; held administrative and leadership positions as athletics director, principal and regional superintendent in the San Francisco Unified School District and Philadelphia City Schools; and served for three years as superintendent of the Trenton Public Schools. Most recently, prior to joining Arlington Public Schools, Dr. Duran served as the Chief Equity Officer for Fairfax County Public Schools. In Fairfax, Dr. Durán’s work as an equity leader was driven by his background and commitment to support all students. He helped develop, initiate and implement the “One Fairfax” policy to close opportunity, access and achievement gaps, a joint social and racial equity policy with Fairfax County. In 2018, Dr. Durán was appointed to the Virginia State Board of Education where he played a key role in the adoption of the new Standards of Quality for Virginia. As an educational leader, Dr. Durán has worked passionately to ensure that all students receive a quality education that will equip them with the skills needed for post-secondary education and employment in today’s ever-changing world. Dr. Duran was influenced to become an educator by a teacher who saw and nurtured the talents in him and inspired him to challenge others to do their best. As the first in his family to graduate from college, Dr. Durán believes that education is the key to open the door for possibilities and he has built his career in education to help ensure that students, teachers, and staff have the same opportunities that were afforded to him.