Jay Whalen

Jay Whalen

Director, Authorizer & School Quality

Jay works on the Authorizer Learning and Development team developing resources, guidance, and learning experiences to meaningfully support authorizers and impact their practices. He also facilitates the cultivation and dissemination of best practices for quality school evaluation.

Prior to joining NACSA, Jay supported authorizing work and led the implementation of the Charter Schools Program (CSP) grant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Before that, he served as Deputy Director of Charter Schools for the Tennessee State Board of Education and as a data analyst for the KIPP Nashville charter school network.

Jay is currently pursuing his master’s in public administration at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and History from the University of Rhode Island.

Jay’s professional background has included working with students, schools, and communities most at risk of educational inequity. He believes deeply that all students can achieve at high levels, and it is incumbent upon all leaders, at all levels, to examine, implement, and evaluate programs and systems that work for every child.

As a former college decathlete, avid runner, and cyclist, Jay has completed multiple triathlons including a half-ironman, but now spends most of his time running after his daughter.


Most Recent Posts
NACSA’s 2024 Change Makers
Each year we highlight a few Change Makers—people in and around authorizing who are working tirelessly to meet the needs of students, families, and communities. Their commitment to high-quality education...
Impact, Accountability, and Innovation: Reflecting on Charter School Authorizing in 2024
As we close out 2024, I am filled with gratitude and purpose. Gratitude for the extraordinary work happening across the charter school sector to advance a defining truth about our...
Here’s What Innovation Looks Like in Schools
The prevailing narrative about the pandemic and innovation is incomplete. Did the pandemic force America’s hand and finally propel innovation in schools? Did schools suddenly embrace new technology and begin...