Kevin F. Gilbert, Ed.D. has served the South Orange & Maplewood School District since May 2022, bringing with him 24 years of distinguished experience in public education. A nationally recognized leader in affirmative action, teacher leadership, and organizational change, Dr. Gilbert has held key roles shaping policy and practice at the local, state, and national levels.

Before joining SOMSD, he was the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) in Maryland, where he designed and led districtwide strategies to advance equity and inclusion for more than 59,000 students and 8,000 staff. His leadership in this groundbreaking role set a precedent for systemic change in one of Maryland’s largest school systems. Prior to HCPSS, he served as Coordinator for Teacher Leadership and Special Projects in the Clinton Public School District in Mississippi, where he oversaw programs that elevated teacher voice, strengthened instructional practice, and expanded opportunities for students.

Dr. Gilbert’s career began in the classroom as a social studies teacher and coach, followed by administrative positions in Clinton Public Schools, Rankin County School District, and Hinds County School District, all in Mississippi. Beyond the district level, his impact has extended nationally through a series of influential leadership positions: Executive Committee member of the National Education Association (2013–2019), President of the Mississippi Association of Educators (2007–2013), Vice President for Governance for the National Council of State Education Associations, Chair of the NEA Committee on Human and Civil Rights, and Co-Chair of the NEA Task Force on Discipline and the School-to-Prison Pipeline. In these roles, Dr. Gilbert helped shape national discourse on equity in education, teacher leadership, and dismantling systemic barriers that limit student success.

He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Mississippi College.

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