Author
Educator
Public Speaker
Leadership Coach
Author Educator Public Speaker Leadership Coach
Dr. Paul E. Coakley, Ed.D
Dr. Coakley serves as a superintendent in Oregon. He comes from a long line of educators who made the trek to Oregon from Tennessee in 1980. Dr. Coakley began his school administrator career in 2008 as an elementary school principal. His time serving as a teacher, building administrator, and HR Director fueled his passion for ensuring school systems, empower, support and inspire all students. He holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership.
Leadership Coaching & Public Speaking
Education happens within the context of a larger community. Our approach extends beyond the school to help ensure students have the necessary support to do their best learning.
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Leading Against the Odds: A Journey of Resilience, Hope, and Change in Education
A Reason for Every Season: Memoirs of a Black Superintendent in America by Dr. Paul Coakley is a powerful and deeply personal reflection on his journey as Oregon’s only Black male superintendent for the past eight years. Through candid storytelling, he shares the pivotal moments, mentors, and challenges that shaped his leadership, offering an inspiring counter-narrative to traditional educational experiences.
This memoir goes beyond leadership—it delves into life choices, systemic barriers, racism, and the responsibility of giving back. Unlike research-driven books, Dr. Coakley’s story is rooted in lived experience, showcasing resilience, transformation, and the lasting impact of education.
A Reason for Every Season is more than a memoir; it’s a call to action. Educators, leaders, and anyone committed to personal growth and meaningful change will find motivation and insight in its pages. Dr. Coakley’s journey encourages self-reflection, perseverance, and the courage to leave a legacy that matters..
Samuel Breyer, Superintendent and Educational Consultant
“Dr. Coakley writes a memior filled with stories of challenge and success, hope and wisdom, inspiration and reflection. The experiences that guided Paul’s path to leadership can help shape yours too. A great read for anyone in education.”
Dr. Gustavo Balderas, National AASA & NABE Superintendent of the Year
“Dr. Coakley provides his powerful personal journey to his rise as currently being the only Black male school superintendent in Oregon. He describes his personal and professional struggles in facing and improving our Oregon public education system as a person of color in a powerful narrative that will bring hope to other aspiring school superintendents.”
