Byron Ernest

Dr. Byron Ernest was Indiana’s “Teacher of the Year” in 2010 and the 2011 Christopher Columbus Foundation Outstanding National Agriscience Teacher. Most recently, Ernest was named a scholar in residence by the C.S. Lewis Foundation and is spending time studying at The Kilns in Oxford, England. During this experience, he is also doing coursework at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School.

Ernest is a globally recognized speaker and facilitator. He founded Leadery Global to offer custom tailored speaking and consultative packages for clients seeking stakeholder engagement, systems-level visionary design, leadership development, facilitation services, teacher development and coaching, and teacher leadership development. Previously, he was director of educator development and partnerships for Noble Education Initiative, Inc. He also formerly served as superintendent of schools for Hoosier Academies Network of Schools.

Ernest also served as principal at Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis after it was taken over by the state for receiving seven consecutive failing annual performance grades. As principal, he developed a new staff and culture of excellence focusing on high student achievement and performance. The state removed Manual off the “F” list under Ernest’s leadership and still holds the distinction of being the only takeover school in Indiana to be removed from the failing category. Previously, Ernest worked as the department head for agriculture and FFA at Lebanon Community School Corporation. He is a citizen leader on the Indiana State Board of Education and served as the 2020 chair of the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Boards of Education.

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