Dr. Anne Clark, DHS, M.S.Ed.
Dr. Anne Clark, DHS, M.S.Ed., is a visionary educator, executive leader, and lifelong advocate for children and community-centered education. As the Founder and CEO of Peerless Resources for Educational Progress (PREP), she leads a mission-driven consulting organization focused on transforming schools through innovation, equity, and strategic leadership. With a career that began in the classroom and evolved through nearly every role within the education system, Dr. Clark brings a rare, comprehensive perspective to school leadership, governance, and organizational development. Her guiding belief that “leadership is making all people count” underscores her unwavering commitment to student success and community impact.
Over the course of more than two decades, Dr. Clark has built a reputation for driving meaningful change in education. She spent 22 years within charter schools in York, Pennsylvania, working her way from support roles to executive leadership, including serving as CEO and Principal. She later expanded her influence statewide as CEO of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools, where she supported policy, funding initiatives, and school improvement efforts. Currently serving as Chief School Administrator at Westinghouse Arts Academy, she has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the school’s performance and culture. In addition, as Executive Director of Hope Street Learning Lab, she has pioneered innovative, hands-on learning experiences that connect students to agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.
Dr. Clark’s work extends beyond administration into thought leadership, public speaking, and community advocacy. She has presented nationally on topics such as parent engagement, leadership development, and building effective school-community partnerships. A dedicated lifelong learner, she holds advanced degrees in organizational leadership and education, along with a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, and continues to apply her academic expertise to real-world challenges. Deeply rooted in York, Pennsylvania, where she has lived her entire life, Dr. Clark is also a proud mother, grandmother, and active community member. Through every role she holds, she remains guided by her personal mission: to make the lives of children better and to create educational systems where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
• Superintendent Letter of Eligibility
• NISL Course II
• NISL Course 1
• School Leadership
• K-6 Teacher Certification
• Point Park University- M.S.Ed.
• Capella University- Doctoral
• University of Phoenix- Master's
• American Intercontinental University- B.A.
• Image Award for Community Service
• 2026 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰
• 2024 Educator Leader
• 2022 NSBA Leadership Council
• 2022 American Heart Association National Charter School Leader
• MLK Image Award for my work in Education, presented by the Black Ministers' Association
• Ravens Touchdown Teacher Award, presented by the Baltimore Ravens Football Team for education and leadership
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
• National Honor Society
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
• Hope Street Learning Lab (Founder)
• Building outdoor learning labs for schools
• National seed distribution program for schools
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my relationships with students is my greatest accomplishment. I really do inspire and meet them where they are. Thirty years ago, I wrote a mission that I'm gonna help children of York, and now it says I'm gonna help children everywhere, so that truly has been my mission. Every day, I stay true to that - it really is for me about kids. No matter how complicated the work gets, I always say to my staff, if you did the right thing by a kid today, you did the right thing. I just try to keep that part really simple. If I did the right thing by children today, then I did the right thing. The rest of it all works itself out. Everything I've done in my career, from construction companies to working in the kitchen to getting all my degrees, has led to where I'm strong. Sometimes you can get lost along the way, but everything leads to where you're going.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some good advice I always got was dress for the job that you're going to have, not the job you currently have. I think that's actually very powerful to do. I also believe in leading from where we are. At the end of the day, it's just be your own best friend. Know that you're on the right track. If you have haters, you're on the right track - push harder into that one area.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I really believe in empowering women. First off, I think that we should lead from where we are. Some good advice I always got was dress for the job that you're going to have, not the job you currently have. I think that's actually very powerful to do. And then I think at the end of the day, it's just be your own best friend. You know, and just know that you're on the right track. If you have haters, you're on the right track. Push harder into that one area.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
At the highest level, education—particularly within the charter sector—is navigating a moment of significant tension between stability and transformation. Schools are facing real pressures: fluctuating enrollment, staffing shortages, increased regulatory expectations, and financial constraints tied to facilities and long-term sustainability. These challenges require leaders to operate with precision, ensuring compliance, fiscal responsibility, and strong day-to-day operations. At the same time, families are demanding more—more relevance, more safety, more personalization, and clearer pathways to future success. The traditional model of schooling is no longer sufficient on its own, and schools that fail to adapt risk becoming less viable over time.
At the same time, this moment presents one of the greatest opportunities in modern education. There is a clear shift toward reimagining schools as hubs of innovation—places where academics are integrated with real-world experiences, career pathways, and whole-child supports. By aligning education with workforce needs, strengthening community and industry partnerships, and implementing holistic systems like MTSS, schools can better serve students in meaningful and measurable ways. The big picture is not just about sustaining schools—it is about redefining them. Those who successfully balance operational excellence with bold, student-centered innovation will lead the next era of education.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide my work and personal life are authenticity, grit, hope, and love. I believe in leading with authenticity—being transparent, honest, and grounded in purpose in every decision I make. Grit is essential in this work; education requires perseverance, resilience, and the ability to push forward even in the face of significant challenges. I hold onto hope as a driving force, believing deeply in the potential of every student and in the power of schools to transform lives. These values shape how I lead, how I problem-solve, and how I support the people around me.
Equally important is love—the foundation of how I approach both my professional and personal life. Love shows up in the way I advocate for students, support staff, and engage with families and the community. It is reflected in high expectations, strong relationships, and a commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult. Together, authenticity, grit, hope, and love create a leadership approach that is both purposeful and people-centered, focused on building something that truly makes a difference.