Richard DuFour

Richard DuFour, EdD, was a public school educator for 34 years, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He served as the principal of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, from 1983 to 1991 and as superintendent of the district from 1991 to 2002. During his tenure, Stevenson became what the United States Department of Education (USDE) has described as “the most recognized and celebrated school in America.” It is one of three schools in the nation to win the USDE Blue Ribbon Award on four occasions and one of the first comprehensive schools designated a New America High School by USDE as a model of successful school reform. Stevenson has been repeatedly cited in the popular press as one of America’s best schools and referenced in professional literature as an exemplar of best practices in education.

Dr. DuFour is the author of many books and has written numerous professional articles. He wrote a quarterly column for the Journal of Staff Development for nearly a decade. Dr. DuFour was the lead consultant and author of ASCD’s video series on principalship and the author of several other videos. He was the first principal in Illinois to receive the state’s Distinguished Educator Award (and also received this award as a superintendent). Dr. DuFour was named as one of the Top 100 School Administrators in North America by Executive Educator magazine, was presented the Distinguished Scholar Practitioner Award from the University of Illinois, and was the 2004 recipient of the National Staff Development Council’s Distinguished Service Award. He consults with school districts, state departments, and professional organizations throughout North America on strategies for improving schools.