Today we’d like to introduce you to Aja Blair.
Hi Aja, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path into education and community leadership wasn’t linear, but every step prepared me for the work I do today.
I began my career in operations management after earning my bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Georgia Southern University. I’ve always been drawn to structure, systems, and making things run smoothly. Still, I knew I wanted to do work that made a direct impact on people’s lives. That calling ultimately led me to join Teach For America, where I was selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants and placed at Mary M. Bethune Elementary School in Fulton County.
Teaching shifted the trajectory of my life. I found immense joy in creating classrooms where students felt valued, capable, and celebrated. During my time at Bethune, I honed my instructional practice, strengthened my behavior management and relationship-building skills, and deepened my passion for educational equity. Being recognized as a Teacher of the Year Finalist for the 2019–2020 school year remains one of my most meaningful professional honors.
After Teach For America, I continued my work at Charles R. Drew Charter School, first teaching 4th grade and then serving as an Academic Integration Specialist. These roles allowed me to merge instructional leadership with culture-building and fueled my belief that strong systems and strong relationships must coexist for students to truly thrive.
In January 2023, I joined PEACE Academy Charter School as the Manager of Student Experience. I was drawn to the school’s mission and the opportunity to contribute to a young, community-centered charter school. From there, my role expanded quickly—first to Associate Director of Operations and Community in August 2023 and then to Director of Operations and Community in July 2024. In those roles, I found the perfect intersection of my strengths: educational leadership, operational strategy, student experience, and community engagement.
All of these experiences laid the foundation for the most recent step in my journey. On July 1, 2025, I became the School Director—essentially the principal—of PEACE Academy Charter School. Stepping into this role has been both humbling and energizing. I now have the privilege of leading our full school community, ensuring that our systems are strong, our culture is joyful, our relationships are authentic, and our students have every opportunity to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
I also earned my Master of Arts in Public School Building Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, which sharpened my vision for what schools can be—safe, welcoming, student-centered, operationally sound, and deeply rooted in community.
Today, my journey reflects a blend of systems and soul. I bring operations expertise, instructional understanding, and a deep commitment to children and families. Becoming School Director is not just a professional milestone, but a reflection of the purpose that has guided every chapter of my career: building schools where children feel seen, loved, and prepared to change the world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My road has been meaningful, but it definitely hasn’t been smooth. I think anyone who works in education, especially in communities that deserve more resources and more support, will tell you that the work comes with challenges. For me, the struggles along the way have shaped my leadership just as much as the successes.
One of the earliest challenges was transitioning from operations management into the classroom through Teach For America. I went from managing systems and logistics to managing the hearts, minds, and development of 25+ children every single day. It was a steep learning curve—balancing lesson planning, differentiation, behavior management, family communication, and building a classroom culture. And like many first-year teachers, I struggled with the reality that passion alone isn’t enough; you have to build skill, resilience, and consistency. Those early days taught me patience, humility, and the importance of building strong relationships.
Another challenge was learning to navigate leadership roles as a young Black woman in education. There were moments where I had to advocate for my voice, assert my expertise, and push through assumptions about what I was capable of. I learned to lead with clarity and conviction, even when the room didn’t immediately recognize what I brought to the table. Those moments strengthened me and helped me develop a leadership style rooted in confidence, empathy, and preparation.
Transitioning into operations and school leadership brought its own hurdles. School operations is complex—everything from safety, facilities, and compliance to community engagement, crisis management, and ensuring student experience stays at the center. I stepped into each new role during times of growth and transition for PEACE Academy, which meant building systems while simultaneously addressing the day-to-day realities of a young school. It required long hours, tough decisions, and an ability to stay steady even when things felt chaotic.
And like many leaders, I’ve had moments of self-doubt—times when the work felt heavy or the stakes felt high. But every challenge pushed me to sharpen my skills, deepen my purpose, and remember why I’m here.
What has made the road worthwhile is that none of those struggles were faced alone. I’ve had incredible mentors, supportive colleagues, and families who trust our work. And most importantly, I’ve had students who remind me daily why showing up matters—even on the hard days.
Each obstacle strengthened my belief that leadership is not about perfection; it’s about persistence, growth, and a commitment to serve with intention. The road may not have been smooth, but it has absolutely been worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my role as the School Director (Principal) at PEACE Academy Charter School, I oversee the full experience of our students, families, and staff—from academics and culture to operations and community partnerships. My work sits at the intersection of instructional leadership, school operations, and relationship-building, which allows me to shape both the day-to-day rhythms of the school and the long-term vision for where we’re going.
I specialize in creating systems that feel human. Schools often separate operations from student experience, but I’ve built my career on blending the two. My background in logistics and supply chain management helps me establish efficient, reliable structures, while my years as a teacher and student experience leader ensure those structures remain centered on belonging, safety, and joy. I’m known for being the leader who can handle five logistical crises before 9 a.m., then step straight into a classroom to support instruction or sit with a family for a restorative conversation—without missing a beat.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to build culture. At PEACE Academy, we’ve worked hard to create a school where children feel seen and families feel connected. Whether it’s launching community events, strengthening communication systems, implementing restorative practices, or improving day-to-day operations, everything I do is driven by the belief that students thrive when the adults around them are unified, prepared, and genuinely invested in their well-being.
I’m also proud of the growth I’ve supported at PEACE Academy. I joined when the school was still finding its footing, and I’ve helped build systems for safety, student support, culture, technology, after-school programming, emergency procedures, and community engagement. Seeing those systems empower teachers and support students is one of the most fulfilling parts of this work.
What sets me apart from others is the combination of my operational mindset and my heart for people. I don’t just focus on outcomes—I focus on the experience. I understand how to build strong systems, but I never forget that those systems are for real children and families with real needs. I lead with structure and compassion, clarity and community, high expectations and deep empathy.
Another thing that differentiates me is my adaptability. I’ve served as a teacher, an instructional coach, an operations leader, an engagement strategist, and now a school director. Each role has given me a different lens, and I bring all of those perspectives into every decision I make.
Ultimately, my work is about creating a school environment where students feel loved, families feel informed, and staff feel supported—and where excellence is not a goal, but an expectation. That’s what drives me every day, and that’s the legacy I hope to continue building.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is to give yourself permission to grow. When you’re just starting out—whether in teaching, school leadership, or any field—it’s easy to feel like you have to know everything immediately. The truth is, you won’t. And that’s okay. What matters most is being coachable, reflective, and willing to put in the work to get better every single day.
I wish I knew early on that every season of your career requires a different version of you. The skills that made me a strong teacher weren’t the same ones I needed as an operations leader, and the skills I needed in operations weren’t the same ones required to become a principal. Don’t be afraid to evolve. Don’t box yourself into one path. Let your purpose guide your pivots.
Another piece of advice: relationships are everything. You can have the tightest systems, the cleanest lesson plans, or the most innovative ideas, but none of it matters if people don’t trust you. Invest in your students, your families, your colleagues, and your community. Listen more than you speak. Lead with humility first, authority second.
I’d also tell beginners to embrace the hard days instead of fearing them. Some of the moments that felt the most challenging—early classroom struggles, leadership obstacles, tough conversations—were the ones that stretched me the most. Every difficulty carries a lesson that will be useful later.
And finally, take care of yourself. Education and leadership work can be deeply rewarding but also emotionally demanding. Rest isn’t a reward; it’s a requirement. You can’t pour into others if you’re empty.
Starting out is supposed to feel a little overwhelming. But if you stay grounded in your “why,” remain flexible, keep learning, and surround yourself with people who believe in your growth, you’ll end up exactly where you’re meant to be—often further than you imagined.
Pricing:
- PEACE Academy Charter School is a tuition-free public state charter school. If you live in Georgia and can get to us, as long as we have seats available, you’re welcome.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://peaceacademycharter.org/
