Jonathan Costa named new Executive Director of EdAdvance

The EdAdvance Board of Directors has appointed Jonathan P. Costa, Sr. as the next Executive Director of EdAdvance. 

John Kissko, the President of the Board of Directors and coordinator of the search process stated, “We are confident in Jonathan as a leader. He has always been an advocate for the advancement of quality education, not only in the northwest corner but throughout the state. There is no one who knows EdAdvance, like Jonathan. He has already been such an integral part of this organization's success and we are pleased that he is willing to continue his service to EdAdvance in this capacity.”

Costa has served as EdAdvance’s Assistant Executive Director since 2016. His career in education began as a secondary-level history and social studies teacher. In the fall of 1990, he joined EdAdvance as the Connecticut facilitator of the National Diffusion Network, a federal program that focused resources on proven educational practices. Costa pursued his own practice as a self-employed consultant from 1997 to 2008 and returned to the agency in 2008 as Director of School Services, a role he served in until becoming the Assistant Executive Director in 2016.  He is a graduate of Fairfield University and has advanced degrees in educational leadership and certification as a School Superintendent from Central Connecticut State University

Throughout his career, Costa has been a trusted source of both content and process expertise, authoring the Corwin Press book, Digital Learning for All, Now! along with numerous articles and conference presentations. He has worked with over 150 school districts, non-profits, and businesses in the tri-state area; facilitated over 100 strategic plans; and led several statewide-level projects on behalf of the Connecticut State Board of Education. He formerly served as Vice Chair of the Litchfield Board of Education and currently serves on the Commission for International Education. 

Following his appointment, Costa said, “It is thrilling to take on this new challenge. I have devoted most of my professional career to serving the schools and communities of the EdAdvance region and I believe that all of that experience has led me to this moment. I look forward to working with all of our staff to continue our mission of service in the years to come.”

Costa will begin his tenure as Executive Director July 1 following the retirement of Dr. Jeffrey Kitching.