Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins (Michigan City, Ind.)
Retired Superintendent, Michigan City Area Schools
Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins served as Superintendent of the Michigan City Area Schools from 2010-2014 where her top priorities centered on strengthening the instructional core, expanding Career and Technical education opportunities, and making Michigan City a system of choice through increased options for families and students. She led efforts to establish elementary magnet schools in the Arts (at Pine) and in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (at Lake Hills) and instituted programs for gifted and talented students at three elementary buildings. Dr. Eason-Watkins collaborated regularly with partners in higher education, business, and industry to realign programs and curricula to support students and to meet 21st century workforce needs.
Previously, Dr. Eason-Watkins was Chief Education Officer of the Chicago Public Schools. As the lead curriculum and instruction strategist for the third-largest school district in the nation, Dr. Eason-Watkins led efforts to reform policies and institute key initiatives to diminish the lingering achievement gap.
Prior to her appointment as CPS Chief Education Officer, Dr. Eason-Watkins was a nationally recognized school principal from the Chicago Woodlawn community. Her vast experience in education includes teaching in Highland Park, Michigan, near her hometown of Detroit. She has spent her entire professional career working with schools, students, teachers, parents, and community members to improve the quality of public education.
Dr. Eason-Watkins received a Bachelor’s Degree with honors in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Chicago State University, and a Doctorate in Education, with a specialty in Curriculum and Instruction, from Loyola University Chicago. She has received numerous awards for her continued commitment to education.
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The John H. Davies Lifetime Achievement Award is the Society of Innovators’ highest honor for an individual leader. Not only must our Lifetime Achievement Award winner demonstrate significant innovation, but that the work was sustained over a significant amount of time and their success was not limited to just one role, company or sector. We recognize that the community impact of our Lifetime Achievement Award winner will last more than one lifetime, that the impact of our winner will be felt for generations to come.
The award was renamed to honor John H. Davies who was recognized as the Society’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2019. As the founder and retired managing director of the Society of Innovators, he successfully led the organization from its inception in 2005 until 2018.