Welcome to a digital hub for Airick Journey Crabill a nationally recognized education leader, governance strategist, and unwavering advocate for student success. This platform showcases his lifelong commitment to transforming student outcomes by reshaping the behaviors and systems that drive public education. With decades of experience in education reform, school board governance, and youth advocacy, this individual has earned a powerful reputation for leading change where it matters most—in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities across the country.
A Relentless Champion for Student Outcomes
This leader’s life is a testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and transformational leadership. A nationally recognized figure in the field of education governance and reform, he has dedicated his life to improving student outcomes—an endeavor inspired not only by research and best practices but also by a deeply personal journey rooted in resilience and advocacy.
Raised in and out of foster care, his childhood was marked by instability, change, and a first-hand understanding of systemic failure. He attended eleven different schools before graduating high school, living in urban, suburban, and rural communities across America. His academic path took him through private, public, and parochial institutions, and his lived experience includes life with both white families and families of color. These formative years were shaped by contrasts—between inclusion and exclusion, safety and insecurity, abundance and homelessness. These dualities planted in him a deep awareness of how the systems meant to support children can either empower or fail them—and how critical adult behavior is in making the difference.
This background has fueled his relentless belief: student outcomes don’t change until adult behaviors change. Guided by this principle, this individual has built a career focused not only on results but on reshaping the behaviors, priorities, and systems that govern education. His journey from a vulnerable youth to a national education leader is a story of radical transformation—one that continues to inspire thousands of educators, students, and leaders across the United States.
Impactful Leadership in Action
Currently, he serves as the Conservator at DeSoto Independent School District in Texas, where his leadership helped reverse years of underperformance. Under his guidance, DeSoto achieved double-digit literacy gains and transformed from a district rated “F” in academics, finance, and governance to one that proudly holds “B” ratings in all three areas. His hands-on, outcomes-focused style ensured the alignment of board governance, school leadership, and classroom instruction—turning vision into measurable impact.
His expertise in school governance has led to numerous high-level roles beyond DeSoto. As National Director of Governance at the Council of the Great City Schools in Washington, D.C., he leads governance strategy and supports school boards across the nation’s largest urban districts. In this role, he supervises a team of twelve faculty members and administers a national certification process for aspiring governance coaches, all under the banner of the Student Outcomes Focused Governance framework.
This leader also serves as a senior coach for the Effective School Boards Initiative, providing technical support and leadership training to help education boards across the country transition from adult-centered priorities to student-centered accountability. He further extends his impact as a faculty member with the Leadership Institute of Nevada, where he works with cohorts of future principals and superintendents, equipping them with the mindset and tools needed to drive systemic change.
Beyond Professional Achievements
His influence is felt not only through institutional reform but also in his personal mentoring and advocacy work. A former CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, he continues to mentor youth, train students in restorative justice practices, and serve as a foster and adoptive parent figure to multiple young people. Inspired by parents who fostered over 80 children, he himself has helped raise five youth and remains open to welcoming more.
His public service career includes time as Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency, where he advised the Commissioner on leadership, accountability, governance, innovation, and financial oversight. Earlier, as board chair of Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS), he led sweeping reforms that more than doubled student literacy and numeracy rates and eventually restored the district’s full accreditation for the first time in decades. His tenure in Kansas City earned him accolades from local and national organizations alike.
Among his many honors, this individual is the recipient of the James Bryant Conant Award from the Education Commission of the States, one of the most prestigious individual recognitions in American education. He has also been named a Green-Garner Award finalist by the Council of the Great City Schools, received the Lucile H. Bluford Special Achievement Award from the NAACP, and was honored with the Loyalty to Scholars Award from the KCPS Education Foundation.
A Voice for Change
He is a published author, offering practical and transformative insights for school board leaders. His book “Great On Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Be Effective” (March 2023) explores the root causes of board dysfunction and provides actionable steps toward effective governance. He followed it with “Effective School Boards Framework: A Practitioner’s Manual For School Board Leaders Wanting To Improve Student Outcomes” (May 2023), and “Rogue School Board Member’s Handbook” (August 2023), both of which have been praised for their clarity, depth, and utility.
In addition to books, he has authored several technical manuals, including the Student Outcomes Focused Governance Manual and the Board Meeting Coding Manual, which are widely used by governance professionals nationwide. His influence extends to the global stage, where he has delivered keynote speeches in London, Toronto, Quebec, and beyond. Nationally, he has spoken at SXSWedu, the Florida and Nevada School Boards Associations, and the Council of the Great City Schools, among others.
A Multifaceted Life
Outside the boardroom, this leader is an energetic presence. A former tech entrepreneur, he continues to enjoy coding in his spare time. He trains high school students in peer-led restorative practices and relishes the challenge of creating flavorful, fiery vegan dishes. He’s also known to turn heads while gliding through his neighborhood on his electric unicycle.
His multidimensional life—spanning public service, policy, mentorship, and personal passion—offers a powerful blueprint for what it means to be a transformative leader. Whether he’s reshaping national policy, coaching a school board, mentoring a teenager, or cooking up a spicy meal in his kitchen, his work is always infused with a deep, abiding belief in the potential of young people. His mission is clear: to ensure that every child in America—no matter their zip code, background, or circumstance—has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and succeed.
As he often reminds his audiences, “Student outcomes don’t change until adult behaviors change.” These are not just words; they are the compass by which he lives, leads, and serves. Through tireless commitment, boundless empathy, and unwavering focus, this dedicated leader continues to change lives—one student outcome at a time.