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About Chandrai:
The Journey from Classroom to Leadership

Chandrai Jackson-Saunders is a nationally recognized public education leader, governance executive, and student advocacy champion with more than three decades of experience advancing equitable PreK–12 education, student wellness, and institutional accountability across large, urban public school systems.

 

A Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), Ms. Jackson-Saunders served for 35 years in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), where she provided systems-level leadership, clinical expertise, and policy guidance supporting students, families, educators, and administrators. Her work emphasized early intervention, trauma-informed practices, special education compliance, family engagement, and whole-child development, resulting in improved academic outcomes, school climate, and student well-being.

In 2020, she made national history as the first African American named National School Psychologist of the Year by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) — the profession’s highest honor — recognizing her transformational leadership, innovation, and impact on public education. She also served as a State Delegate to NASP’s Leadership Assembly, contributing to national policy development and strategic priorities affecting school-based services across the country.

Following her tenure in DCPS, Ms. Jackson-Saunders served as Chief Operating Officer of Interdynamics, Inc., a Prince George’s County-based organization delivering school-based mental health and support services to Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). In this executive role, she provided organizational leadership, fiscal oversight, regulatory compliance, workforce supervision, and strategic partnership development, ensuring high-quality, accountable service delivery within public education environments.

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Ms. Jackson-Saunders has an extensive record of education governance and board leadership. She served two terms as a School Board Member for the Archdiocese of Washington Board of Education, providing system-level guidance on policy, academic programming, and community engagement. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority National Education Fund, Inc., providing fiduciary oversight and strategic leadership for national scholarship and college-access initiatives, and chairs its Public Relations, Marketing, and Branding Committee. Additionally, she serves on the Child Protection and Advocacy Board of the Archdiocese of Washington, advising on student safety, compliance, and institutional accountability.

A lifelong advocate for equity, civic engagement, and community partnership, Ms. JacksonSaunders led a successful, parent-driven initiative resulting in enhanced pedestrian safety infrastructure surrounding a District of Columbia public school, earning the District Department of Transportation’s Trailblazer Award. Her leadership reflects a consistent commitment to safe learning environments, student protection, and family voice in public systems.

Ms. Jackson-Saunders earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, her Master of Education in Educational Psychology from Howard University, and her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Psychology, also from Howard University. She remains deeply engaged in professional service through national and local education organizations and community leadership initiatives.

She is married to Nathan A. Saunders, a retired social studies educator, and together they share a lifelong commitment to public education, youth development, and community service.

GOVERNANCE & IMPACT

sIGNATURE RECOGNITION

cORE AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Professional Experience

board & advisory service

Education & Credentials

Awards & Honors

Professional & Civic Engagement

  • First African American named National School Psychologist of the Year
  • National recognition for leadership, innovation, and impact in public education
  • Education Governance & Policy Leadership
  • Student Achievement, Equity & Whole-Child Development
  • Fiscal Oversight & Public Accountability
  • Special Education Systems & Compliance
  • School-Based Mental Health & Student Supports
  • Family & Community Engagement
  • Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management & Ethics
  • Workforce Readiness & Postsecondary Pathways
Chief Operating Officer (2022–2024)
Interdynamics, Inc.
  • Led operational strategy for a school-based services organization supporting public school systems
  • Directed budgeting, compliance, and fiscal controls within a regulated public-sector environment
  • Oversaw multidisciplinary teams delivering mental health and educational services
  • Strengthened partnerships with school systems, agencies, and policymakers to expand student access to support services
Senior School Psychologist & District Leader (1987–2022)
District of Columbia Public Schools
  • Provided system-level leadership across PreK–12 environments
  • Advised school and district leaders on policy, compliance, and student support strategies
  • Advanced trauma-informed practices, early intervention, and family engagement initiatives
  • Led special education compliance and service delivery frameworks
  • Trustee, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority National Education Fund
  • Former School Board Member, Archdiocese of Washington
  • Advisory Board Member, Child Protection & Advocacy Board
  • Former State Delegate, National Association of School Psychologists
  • M.Ed., Howard University
  • C.A.G.S., Howard University
  • B.S., University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
  • Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
  • National School Psychologist of the Year
  • DC School Psychologist of the Year
  • Women Who Bravely Lead Award
  • NAACP Young Frontier Award
  • Humanitarian of the Year
  • National Association of School Psychologists
  • National Council on Educating Black Children
  • NAACP
  • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
  • Prince George’s Democratic Central Committee

Guiding Principles

PREVENTION OVER TRAUMA
Prioritizing early intervention, student wellness, and coordinated supports before challenges escalate into crisis.

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS
Creating space for transparent, community-centered dialogue that informs policy, builds trust, and drives accountability.

Together, these principles shape a governance approach focused on aligning resources, strengthening outcomes, and positioning every student for long-term success.

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