Sandra J. Stein

Sandra J. Stein is an internationally recognized expert in school leadership development, known for her rigorous, experiential approach to cultivating strong instructional leaders. As CEO and academic dean of the New York City Leadership Academy, she designed and led programs that prepared and supported hundreds of current and aspiring principals in the New York City public school system. Stein also served as an associate professor at the School of Public Affairs, Baruch College, City University of New York, where she was the founding director of the Aspiring Leaders Program. She authored several influential works on education policy and leadership, including The Culture of Education Policy and Principal Training on the Ground: Ensuring Highly Qualified Leadership. Stein earned her BA in sociology from Grinnell College and her PhD in education administration and policy analysis from Stanford University. ​

updated 2025