Superintendents from Minnesota, New York and Virginia will receive the 2026 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award during the 2nd General Session on Feb. 13 at the AASA National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn.
The Effie Jones Award is an annual recognition of education leaders committed to the advancement and mentorship of women and underrepresented groups in our nation’s public schools.
The 2026 honorees were selected for this award because they exemplify the qualities modeled by the late Dr. Effie Hall Jones, a school administrator, teacher, counselor and former AASA associate executive director.
The 2026 recipients are:
- Monique Darrisaw-Akil, superintendent, Uniondale Union Free School District in Long Island, N.Y.;
- Aaron Spence, superintendent, Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Va.; and
- Stacie Stanley, superintendent, St. Paul Public Schools in St. Paul Minn.
The trio also will be honored the same day at the Dr. Effie Hall Jones Memorial Luncheon, an event co-hosted by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and the National Alliance of Black School Educators. The luncheon is sponsored by the Institute for Educational Innovation.
Here’s a rundown of this year’s Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award winners.
Monique Darrisaw-Akil is celebrated for her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to promoting equity within educational environments. Over her distinguished career, Darrisaw-Akil has implemented a comprehensive five-year strategic plan that reconceptualizes equity as both a guiding principle and a practice framework. This initiative has yielded significant improvements in graduation rates and enhanced participation in Advanced Placement courses. To further bolster student support, she established a College & Career Center and a Student Wellness Center, thereby expanding access and addressing the holistic needs of students.
Her innovative initiatives, including Super Science Saturday and global writing exchange program with Ghana, have fostered STEM engagement and global citizenship. Darrisaw-Akil is a staunch advocate for amplifying student voices, creating ample opportunities for engagement through initiatives such as student-led councils. Under her guidance, Uniondale earned national recognition as a My Brother’s Keeper Community, reflecting her relentless dedication to social justice and inclusion for all students.
Stacie Stanley has established a distinguished career centered on the advancement equity and access at every level of the education system. As co-author of Leading While Female and president of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, Stanley has empowered women and leaders of color to navigate leadership pathways while actively dismantling systemic barriers. During her time in leadership at Eden Prairie and Edina Public Schools, she spearheaded initiatives that resulted in significant improvements in literacy and academic achievement among multilingual learners, effectively addressing opportunity gaps faced by students of color.
Presently, her efforts in St. Paul emphasize literacy acceleration, equitable staffing, and strong community partnerships. Additionally, she is engaged in enhancing tracking systems for middle school student outcomes and elevating student voice within the educational process. Stanley’s mentorship and coaching have been instrumental in cultivating leadership pipelines, ensuring that equity and excellence are sustained throughout her district and beyond.
Aaron Spence is esteemed for his systemic innovations and unwavering commitment to advancing equity among students and staff. In recognition of his contributions to educational practices, he was honored in 2017 as one of the top 25 innovative leaders by the American Association of School Administrators for his accreditation efforts affecting 16 schools.
Spence’s leadership has fostered opportunities for women and people of color in educational leadership, and his mentorship has helped eight former staff members ascend to superintendent roles. His programming amplifies diverse voices and promotes equity and excellence for all students, earning him national recognition and affirming his standing as a champion for marginalized communities.