John-Paul Coleman Hayworth Honored for Dedicated Service to NASBE and the DC State Board of Education

Alexandria, VA—The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) is pleased to present its David A. Kysilko Award to John-Paul Hayworth for his dedicated service to the District of Columbia State Board of Education as its executive director and for multiple terms of service as president of the National Council of State Board of Education Executives (NCSBEE), where he served concurrently as an ex officio member of the NASBE Board of Directors.

Hayworth led the DC board from 2015 to 2022. During his tenure, the DC board adopted its statewide accountability plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act, approved student learning standards for multiple subjects, and approved standards for accreditation and certification of teacher preparation programs. He also advocated for inclusion of student representatives on the board and development of a vibrant student advisory committee. As president of NCSBEE, he engaged state board executive directors from across the country in networking and professional development to support their key role in state education governance.

Previously, Hayworth served in two DC mayoral administrations and on Capitol Hill, including as adviser on federal, congressional, and local affairs. He is now the LGBTQ+ audience strategy director for AARP.

A dedicated resident of the District of Columbia, Hayworth has been involved in helping local governments find solutions ever since he was appointed to a student position on the school board in his hometown of Olathe, Kansas, in 1996. In 2019, Hayworth was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumni Award by the Baylor Line Foundation.

“His commitment to NCSBEE is unparalleled,” said Ryan Foor, executive director of the Nebraska State Board of Education, who nominated Hayworth for the award. “John-Paul stepped in when others were unable to serve and provided valuable connections for state board executives and for all of NASBE.”

“We deeply appreciate John-Paul’s wealth and breadth of knowledge about education policymaking, the generosity of spirit he consistently displayed, and his commitment to elevating student voice and serving the students of the District,” said Paolo DeMaria, NASBE president and CEO.

The 2022 David A. Kysilko Award will be presented during NASBE’s annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, October 26–29, 2022. The recognition is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to NASBE values and service to state boards of education. The award is named after David Kysilko, a longtime NASBE employee.

NASBE serves as the only membership organization for state boards of education. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, NASBE elevates state board members’ voices in national and state policymaking, facilitates the exchange of informed ideas, and supports members in advancing equity and excellence in public education for students of all races, genders, and circumstances. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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