Chuck Jackson
Chief Strategic Officer
Chuck Jackson is the Chief Strategic Officer of College Park Academy, where he leads the school’s strategic development. He works with the Board and school leadership on long-range planning, policy, community engagement, and the public and private partnerships that expand the school’s resources and reach.
Mr. Jackson is an attorney and an education leader with more than two decades of experience founding, leading, and transforming schools. He built a Washington, DC public charter school from the ground up, later led operations for a multi-campus bilingual charter organization, and as Head of School guided a turnaround that grew enrollment from 400 to more than 600 students and lifted staff retention from 60 to over 90 percent. He is also the founder of JacksonED Partners, a national education strategy practice that advises charter schools, boards, and funders.
Building partnerships has been a through line of his work. As Chief Operating Officer of the Maya Angelou Schools and the See Forever Foundation, he created college and community partnerships that gave students both classroom learning and paid employment. As Deputy Chief of Operations for the District of Columbia Public Schools Office of Specialized Instruction, he managed a $90M budget and services for thousands of students, experience that informs his understanding of the district relationships central to College Park Academy’s partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools.
Mr. Jackson earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and his law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.
At College Park Academy, he is committed to advancing the school’s college-preparatory mission and its partnership with the University of Maryland.
Dr. Gordon Libby
High School Principal
Dr. Gordon Libby brings nearly four decades of experience in public education, serving students and families at the middle school, high school, alternative school, and public charter school levels. He began his career as a middle and high school social studies teacher and also coached high school soccer and baseball.
Dr. Libby has served as a principal in Prince George’s County Public Schools since 1998 and as High School Principal of College Park Academy since 2017. Throughout his career, he has mentored aspiring and newly appointed principals and supported leadership-development initiatives designed to strengthen principals’ capacity to lead successful schools. A nationally certified mentor principal, Dr. Libby has presented at national conferences and authored an article for Principal Leadership on literacy practices for school leaders.
At College Park Academy, Dr. Libby works collaboratively with the middle school principal and staff to provide students with a rigorous, individualized, and comprehensive college-preparatory program. His leadership emphasizes positive teacher-student relationships, academic achievement, student engagement, and the effective integration of virtual learning with face-to-face instruction.
Dr. Libby earned his Doctor of Education from the University of Maryland, where his research examined student perceptions of teacher-student relationships in traditional and alternative high schools. As a University of Maryland graduate, he remains committed to expanding the partnership between the university and College Park Academy and creating meaningful academic, career, and leadership opportunities for CPA students.
Steven Baker
Middle School Principal
Mr. Steven Baker, College Park Academy’s Middle School Principal, brings over 15 years of teaching and administrative experience in K-12 public schools. His professional experience includes teaching all subjects in grades 4-6, as well as leading teams at all of these grade levels.
In 2011, Mr. Baker became an Assistant Principal in Prince George’s County Public Schools at Glenridge Elementary School. During this time, he joined the prestigious Aspiring Leaders Program for Student Success (ALPSS), where select Assistant Principals train to become school Principals.
As the first Assistant Principal, and first Middle School Principal of College Park Academy, he helped to create a rigorous, individualized, and comprehensive college-preparatory program that challenges students to think critically and creatively while instilling a passion for artistic growth and life-long learning. Mr. Steven Baker is an advocate for school choice and differentiated learning.
Christopher Irwin
Academic Dean
Chris Irwin is an experienced educator and school leader with more than 20 years in education and a passion for helping students and teachers succeed. As Academic Dean at College Park Academy, Chris supports instructional excellence, professional learning, and the development of a rigorous college-preparatory program. He is particularly interested in using technology and innovative instructional practices to create engaging learning experiences and improve student achievement.
Before becoming Academic Dean, Chris served as an Instructional Lead Teacher and Advanced Placement Coordinator, helping lead initiatives in blended learning, college readiness, and instructional improvement. He has also helped develop College Park Academy’s Signature Programs and has contributed to broader conversations about educational technology and innovation through his work with the College Board and the University of Maryland.
Chris earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Maryland in 2018 and a Certificate in School Improvement Leadership from the University of Maryland in 2023. He believes that strong relationships, rigorous instruction, and purposeful use of technology can empower students to discover their strengths, pursue ambitious goals, and be ready to soar.
Aaron Reid
Assistant Principal
Aaron Reid serves as an Assistant Principal at College Park Academy and brings almost two decades of experience in education as a teacher, resource teacher, and school administrator. Throughout his career, he has focused on instructional leadership, school improvement, student support, technology integration, and building strong, collaborative school communities.
Prior to joining College Park Academy, Mr. Reid served for eight years as an Assistant Principal in PGCPS. He joined CPA as Academic Dean in 2024 before becoming Assistant Principal in 2025. His leadership experience includes coaching and developing educators, leading school improvement initiatives, using data to improve student outcomes, and developing systems to strengthen instruction, attendance, and student support. He is committed to creating a school environment where students are challenged and supported, educators continue to grow, and families are valued as essential partners in student success.
Mr. Reid holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus and has also completed the Aspiring Leaders Program for Student Success. Committed to continuous professional growth, he believes effective school leadership requires reflection, innovation, collaboration, and a willingness to continually improve. Mr. Reid is passionate about translating that commitment into meaningful opportunities for students, accelerating academic achievement, fostering student growth and leadership, and ensuring every student has the support and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.