Nominees

COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION

SEAT 1

DR. RODNEY L. BERRY (VA) CANDIDATE PROFILE

COMMISION ON ACCREDITATION

EDUCATION

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Rodney L. Berry is a 31-year veteran of public education. He has been the Superintendent of Education for the Virginia Department of Corrections since 2019. Virginia’s current recidivism rate (2020 cohort) is the lowest in the nation: 11.1% for Academics and 9.5% for CTE. Prior to his service for the Commonwealth, he began his career in 1995 as a Chemistry and Biology teacher in Richmond Public Schools before moving into administrative leadership roles. He served as principal at King Middle School, Franklin and Hopewell High Schools. One school in particular, Deep Run in Henrico County, twice earned the distinction of being named one of America's Best High Schools by U.S. News and World Report. Later he became the Superintendent for Nottoway Public Schools from 2016-2019. Prior to Nottoway, he was the Director of Instruction for Sussex County where he improved the division's Full Accreditation rate by 66% in one year. Dr. Berry received his Bachelor’s degree from VCU with a major in biology, his Master’s Degree in Teaching from the College of William and Mary, his Administration Endorsement K-12 from the University of Virginia, and his Ph.D. in Education from VCU. He recently earned a post doctorate from Harvard University in Religious Studies and Education. Dr. Berry was a Governor’s appointee member to the Board of Trustees for the Science Museum of Virginia and is the current Commissioner of Education for ACA. He follows the ideology in that, “We are in the business of helping people to be better.”

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

LEADERSHIP & EXPERTISE Superintendent of Education, Virginia Department of Corrections 31 Years in Public Education & Educational Leadership Correctional Education & Recidivism Reduction Academic Achievement & Career Technical Education (CTE) School Administration & Organizational Improvement Evidence-Based Education & Rehabilitation Strategies

American Correctional Association Commissioner of Education Former Governor’s Appointee, Science Museum of Virginia Board of Trustees Advocate for Correctional Education & Workforce Development Leader in Academic & Career Technical Education Initiatives

106