Dr. Jonathan Leon shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jonathan, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day right now is anything but normal. I wake up early to make sure my sons, Jayden and Jayce, are set for their school day, and that time grounds me because this campaign really starts at home. From there, the pace picks up quickly. Most mornings, I’m on the phone with parents, educators, or community members, hearing directly about their hopes and concerns for our schools. Some days I’m in living rooms or at coffee shops talking about what it means to go all in for every child. Other days, I’m knocking on doors or meeting with neighbors in District 6 to share why I’m running and to listen to what matters most to them.
Alongside all of that, I’m managing a campaign team, fundraising, and staying present for my family. It’s a lot, but it’s purposeful. Every conversation reminds me why I’m in this race: too many of our students are being left behind, and we can do better. My days may be long, but they are filled with energy and hope because I know this work is about more than politics; it’s about our kids, their futures, and the kind of Atlanta we want to build together.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Jonathan Leon, a father, former APS teacher, and lifelong advocate for education who is now running for the Atlanta Board of Education in District 6. My campaign is called All In for Every Child because I believe every student deserves what I call an excellent education: a classroom where they are safe, supported, challenged academically, nurtured socially and emotionally, taught by effective educators, and prepared for college, career, and life.
What makes my story unique is that this work has always been personal. I taught in APS classrooms. I am raising children in APS, one of whom is a non-traditional learner with exceptional needs. I know firsthand what is possible when we invest fully in our students, and I also know the urgency of what happens when we don’t.
Right now, only about 35 percent of APS students are reading on grade level, and fewer are proficient in math. Those numbers are not a reflection of our children’s brilliance; they reflect our systems. I am working to change that by bringing leadership rooted in love, justice, and equity, and by organizing a community of believers who know that when our schools thrive, our city thrives.
This campaign is not about politics for me; it is about building a future where every child in Atlanta has access to the education that unlocks their full potential. That is what I am working on every single day!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I had with my grandfather. He was a proud Georgia native who earned his diploma at a time when systemic barriers tried to limit his future. Even though opportunities were scarce, he carried himself with dignity and poured his energy into service, faith, and family. He taught me that education is the key that opens doors, and he showed me what it means to live by the values of love, justice, and equity.
Those lessons have guided me throughout my life. They shaped me as a teacher in APS classrooms, as a father, and now as a candidate for the school board. My grandfather instilled in me the belief that education is not just about books and tests; it is about building lives of purpose and possibility. Whenever I face challenges, I think of him, and it grounds me in why I am called to this work.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be to trust that your path, even the hard parts, is preparing you for purpose. There will be moments when you feel unseen or question if your voice matters, but keep going. Along the way, give yourself permission to enjoy the journey. Celebrate the small wins, lean into the relationships that lift you up, and take pride in how far you’ve come. The joy you find along the way will give you the strength to keep moving toward your calling.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yeah, the public version of me is the real me. I don’t really know how to be any other way. I’m a dad, a former teacher, and someone who cares a lot about our schools and our community. The same person who’s cooking dinner with my boys or sitting in the stands at their games is the same person folks see at a community meeting or knocking on doors. This campaign didn’t change who I am; it just gave me another way to live out what I’ve already been doing.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I showed up with love, that I cared about people, and that I tried to make things better than I found them. I want my sons to remember me as a dad who believed in them and pushed them to dream big. And I hope my community remembers me as someone who fought for kids, stood for justice, and never lost sight of the belief that every child deserves a real chance to thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DrLeonforAPS.com
- Instagram: @DrLeonforAPS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575223747025
