District Leadership

Dr. Dan Courson is the Superintendent of Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVSchools), one of Arizona's largest school districts. As the district's chief executive officer, he provides strategic leadership in partnership with the Governing Board to advance student achievement, strengthen learning environments, and ensure operational excellence for more than 24,000 students and 3,400 employees.

Dr. Courson has served PVSchools in a variety of leadership roles throughout his career. Before being named Superintendent in 2026, he served as Acting Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Leadership, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, and principal of Horizon High School. Throughout his tenure, he has remained committed to developing strong leaders, fostering collaboration, and keeping students at the center of every decision.

Prior to joining PVSchools, Dr. Courson served as Director of Leadership for Deer Valley Unified School District and as a middle school principal. He began his career as a high school English and mathematics teacher, an experience that shaped his deep belief in the power of teaching and learning and the importance of creating opportunities for every student to succeed.

Beyond his district leadership, Dr. Courson has served as a facilitator for the Center for the Future of Arizona's Beat the Odds Executive Development Program and the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL), supporting the professional growth of school and district leaders across Arizona. He has also taught graduate-level courses for Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. As an executive coach, he works with leaders to strengthen systems, facilitate meaningful change, and build high-performing organizations.