John Hodge

Dr. John W. Hodge is the President and co-founder of the Urban Learning and Leadership Center (ULLC), an organization dedicated to enhancing student achievement and narrowing the achievement gap. Throughout his career, which spans over 28 years, Dr. Hodge has specialized in improving outcomes for students in urban environments through culturally responsive teaching and leadership. His expertise extends to student achievement, equity, student resilience, poverty, and achieving high academic performance despite risk factors.

Before his significant contributions in education, Dr. Hodge served in the United States Army with the 7th Infantry Division, where he developed skills that would later influence his educational philosophy. His educational journey took him from roles as a reading teacher, English teacher, and AVID teacher to leadership positions such as Assistant Principal of an inner-city middle school, which was recognized as a National Blue-Ribbon School. He has also held positions as Associate Director of AVID Center Eastern Division, overseeing all AVID schools in the eastern United States, and as Director of An Achievable Dream Academy, a high-poverty school that has won several national awards under his leadership.

Dr. Hodge is a nationally recognized consultant and speaker, delivering key presentations on educational resilience and excellence, such as "BE THE ONE!" and "LEADING SCHOOLS THROUGH TURBULENT TIMES." He is highly regarded for his ability to translate research and theory into practical strategies that improve educational outcomes in diverse settings, including rural, urban, and suburban districts. His presentations, workshops, and books, including "Standing in the Gap" and "You Can Get in the Way: How You Can Become a ROADBLOCK to Risk Factors," emphasize the importance of resilience, higher order thinking, and the development of a supportive and motivating educational environment.

Throughout his career, Dr. Hodge has been instrumental in several initiatives, such as the Governor’s Urban Learning and Leadership Institute and the PASS initiative in Virginia, aimed at improving academically warned schools. His work has not only impacted educators and students in over 300 school districts across the United States, Canada, and South America but also continues to inspire educational professionals through keynotes and seminars focused on achieving and sustaining excellence in education.