Thomas Murray’s Bio
After serving at the elementary and secondary levels as both a teacher and a principal, and then at the district level, Tom now serves as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools, a project of All4Ed located in Washington, D.C.
He has testified before the United States Congress and has previously worked alongside that body and the US Senate, the White House, the US Department of Education and state departments of education, and school districts throughout the country to implement student-centered learning.
Murray serves as a regular conference keynote, and has previously been named one of the “Top 100 Influencers in Education” by District Administration, one of “20 to Watch” by NSBA, the “National/Global EdTech Leader of the Year,” the “Education Thought Leader of the Year,” and the “Education Policy Person of the Year” by the Academy of Arts and Sciences.
His last two books, Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow's Schools, Today, and Personal & Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences that Impact a Lifetime are both best-sellers. You can connect with him at thomascmurray.com.
Tom Murray says that strong leadership is the foundation of any innovative, student‑centered district and that every major initiative will rise and fall with the quality of its leaders.
Tom explains that the best leaders are learners who empower others, adapt, delegate to build capacity, engage their communities, reflect on their work, and ultimately lead as servants.
He emphasizes that leadership is not about titles and that some of the most influential leaders in schools are classroom teachers, support staff, or bus drivers who care deeply, solve problems, and earn others’ trust.
Murray points out that a healthy culture cannot coexist with toxic leadership and that every interaction in a school system is either building the culture up or tearing it down.
Tom says that districts must be intentional about leadership development through coaching, mentoring, and clear pipelines for aspiring leaders, instead of expecting people to figure it out alone.
He argues that “college and career readiness” must truly mean college and career, treating four‑year college as one important option among many pathways.
Tom Murray notes that giving students access is not enough and that real success depends on creating a sense of belonging where students feel the space was designed with them in mind.
He believes the ultimate purpose of pathways work is to ensure every student has enough exposure and support to graduate ready to live life on their own terms.
Tom says that pathways work should start in elementary school so students can learn who they are as learners and see a wide range of careers beyond what they encounter at home.
Murray shares that Future Ready Pathways offers free, research‑informed resources to help districts design pathways that expand access, opportunity, and belonging for all students.Tom Murray says that strong leadership is the foundation of any innovative, student‑centered district and that every major initiative will rise and fall with the quality of its leaders.
Learn more at FutureReadyPathways.org.
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