Shannon Cox

Shannon currently serves as the 12^th Montgomery County Educational Service Center Superintendent, in the organization’s history and is their first female superintendent. Her role includes working directly with and advocating for all 16 public school districts in Montgomery County. As the educational leader for the county, she works with other various leaders across city/county government, and the other public sectors.

Shannon was featured as a TEDxDayton speaker, where she gave her TED Talk on “Future Self.” Shannon has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Dayton, where she taught various workshop classes and Educational Leadership courses.

Ms. Cox has worked with many other communities in different roles within the MCESC, which has allowed her to build relationships with districts throughout the region and state. In addition, she co-leads the MCESC Business Advisory Council while taking a great interest in overall state policy and law to be able to provide guidance and consultation to districts.

Shannon was named as the 2021 Justus A. Prentice Awardee by the national Association of Educational Service Agencies. This top national award acknowledges contributions through executive leadership in advancing regional educational service agency programs at the regional, state, and national levels.

Shannon also serves on the Board for ThinkTV/CET and Chairs the Youth Advisory Council for Montgomery County’s Workforce Investment Board. Additionally, she serves on other boards including Air Camp USA, Montgomery County Overdose Action Team, Family and Children First Council, Dayton Region Manufacturer Association and is Past President of the Historical Society of Germantown’s Board of Trustees.

Prior to her current position, she spent time in her career as a classroom teacher at the intermediate and junior high levels, a building principal, an athletic coach, a K-12 Curriculum Director and MCESC’s Associate Superintendent. Her experience has been in multiple counties and different types of districts giving her a variety of education experiences at the Pk-12 level.

Outside of education, Shannon is a community activist. She is a vibrant participant in her community and has led many grass-root initiatives including those focusing on volunteerism, fundraising, political campaigns, health awareness and most recently has co-founded a Community Drug-Free Coalition.

Shannon believes there has never been a more important time in education to advocate for our profession, our schools, and most importantly our students.