Atlanta Public Schools CEO and leadership

Aaron Wells is a Financial Manager - Department of Finance Office of the Chief Financial Officer at Atlanta Public Schools and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. He has worked as Federal Account Manager at XEROX HOLDINGS CORP; Student Affairs at Georgia State University - Perimeter College; and Account Executive at Gartner, Inc.. Aaron attended Hampton University between 1998 and 1998 and Stanford University Graduate School of Education between 1999 and 1999.

As Chief of Schools, Ms. Anita Williams is responsible for providing coaching, support and supervision for all of APS’ traditional schools. Additionally, she works closely with the Academics Division to help monitor academic progress of initiatives aligned to student focused outcomes. In this role, Ms. Williams provides the strategic direction for the Division of Schools, which also includes the Office of Charter and Partner Schools, Student Registration, Discipline and Leadership Development departments.

Anita Williams brings a wealth of diverse professional experience to this position as well as 33 years of expertise which she uses in supporting the district’s mission and serving its students.

Prior to joining Atlanta Public Schools in August of 2020, Ms. Williams held multiple leadership roles including High School Principal at Renaissance High School in Detroit, Michigan and Instructional Superintendent in Birmingham City Schools in Alabama.

She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio, a Master’s Degree from University of Detroit in Detroit, Michigan and an Education Specialist Certification from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

As Chief of Staff, Mr. Jerod Bishop is responsible for ensuring proper coordination of activities and priorities within the school district’s major functional areas of administration. He provides operational assistance by managing special projects, leading key initiatives, and resolving complex issues. He also serves as a key strategic planner, advisor, decision-maker, and problem solver for the Superintendent.

In this role, Mr. Bishop provides the strategic direction for the school district’s Communications & Public Engagement, Policy & Governance, Charter Systems, Partnerships & Development, Strategy Management and Organizational Change. As well as coordinating and supporting other functions of the Senior Cabinet.

After spending a short period of time in corporate America, Mr. Bishop began his journey in K-12 education over 12 years ago starting as a paraprofessional and student shadow. After falling in love with serving students and families, Mr. Bishop left the classroom setting and joined district central office operations in 2011.

Prior to joining Atlanta Public Schools in 2020, Mr. Bishop held multiple leadership roles starting in his home district of Darlington County School District, Darlington, SC; Charleston County School District, Charleston, SC; and Birmingham City Schools, Birmingham, AL. Mr. Bishop has held district level roles that include Executive Administrative Assistant, Academic Project Manager, Equity & Access Manager, Special Assistant to Superintendent & Board, and Executive Coordinator for Policy, Governance & External Affairs.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Coker College (now Coker University) in Business Administration in Hartsville, SC. He has also earned a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Project Management Certification, and Leadership Certification in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives. He is also a 2018 fellow of Harvard University’s Public Education Leadership Project.