Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) is proud to announce that Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award by AASA, The School Superintendents Association. The humanitarian honor recognizes exemplary education leaders who have demonstrated a deep commitment to mentorship, expanding access to opportunity and fostering inclusive leadership in public education.
Dr. Spence is being honored alongside other national education leaders at AASA’s 2026 National Conference on Education in Nashville on February 12, where he will be formally presented with the award.
“Dr. Spence’s selection for the Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award is a well-deserved honor and a proud moment for Loudoun County,” said LCPS School Board Chair April Chandler. “His leadership reflects a passion for mentorship, equity, and expanding opportunities for all students. This recognition speaks not only to Dr. Spence’s values, but also to the collective work of our educators, staff, families, and community partners who share a belief in the potential of every learner and work every day to ensure our schools are places of belonging and opportunity.”
As Superintendent of LCPS, Dr. Spence leads one of the nation’s largest school divisions, serving nearly 83,000 students across 100 schools and centers. His leadership has been defined by a focus on equity, inclusion, academic excellence, and creating environments where all students, educators, and families feel valued and empowered.
The Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award is named in honor of the late Dr. Effie Hall Jones, a distinguished educator and former AASA associate executive director, and is presented annually to leaders whose service, generosity, and commitment to mentorship have significantly advanced educational opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in public schools.