James Gallagher

James is the Vice President of Education for Aspire Public Schools. In this role, he designs and facilitates professional learning for Aspire’s Senior Education Team, which includes Superintendents, Associate Superintendents and other instructional leaders. During the 17-18 school year, James led Aspire’s 9-12 Math Instructional Program redesign, and co-led Aspire’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) implementation across Aspire’s 40 schools. Currently, James is enrolled in the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI), born at Google, Teacher Training program - a mindfulness based Emotional Intelligence leadership program. In school year 18-19, he will incorporate the content and practices from SIYLI into a year-long leadership development initiative for Aspire’s 40 principals and other senior leaders. Prior to his role as Aspire’s VP of Education, James served as Aspire’s Sr. Director of Instructional Effectiveness supervising Aspire’s Instructional Coach team, focusing on educator development and implementation of Aspire’s K-12 curriculum, instruction and assessment program. James joined Aspire in 2004; when he began as a high school Humanities teacher, then served as Dean of Academic Excellence, and ultimately as an Instructional Coach. Prior to joining Aspire, he taught History in the Boston Public School system. James holds a BA in Pre-Law & Philosophy from Binghamton University and a law degree from George Washington University.