Mr.
Dan Ward
Interim
Superintendent, Memphis City Schools
A retired educator and Lieutenant Colonel
in the U.S. Air Force, Dan Ward rejoined
Memphis City Schools in August of 2007 to
serve as Interim Superintendent.
Born March 15, 1934, Ward is a Memphis native
and a graduate of Booker T. Washington High
School. From 1960-1994, Ward served Memphis
City Schools as a teacher, principal and
district superintendent for the Department
of Secondary Education (1987-88). He also
served as an assistant superintendent, district
administrator (1989-94) and was acting deputy
superintendent for Dr. Carol R. Johnson during
the 2004-05 school year, assisting with her
transition to superintendent. In the 2004-05
school year, he continued as a consultant
for Memphis City Schools, lending his expertise
to district operations.
A decorated member of the U.S. Air Force
for nearly 30 years, retiring as a Lieutenant
Colonel of the Air National Guard in 1984,
Ward has been the recipient of numerous awards
and honors, including being named to the
1980-81 and 1989-90 lists of “Who’s
Who in America” and the 1984 list of “Who’s
Who in American Education.”
Ward earned a Bachelor's degree in music
education and a Master's in secondary school
instruction from Tennessee State University.
His post-graduate work at both Memphis State
University and The University of Tennessee
(Knoxville) was focused in the fields of
administration and supervision and curriculum
and instruction.
Memphis City Schools: 1960-1994; 2004-05;
present
