Irvin Scott joined the faculty of Harvard Graduate School of Education during the summer of 2016. At Harvard, Scott's concentration is educational leadership. He is excited about his work teaching at HGSE in the School Leadership Program and Doctor of Education Leadership Program. "Both programs are producing amazing leaders who are doing great things on behalf of children throughout the country," he says.

Before coming to Harvard, Scott served for five years as the deputy director for K12 education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he led the investment of $300 million in initiatives focused on transforming how teachers are recruited, developed, and rewarded. 

Prior to his Foundation work, Scott spent over 20 years working in the "trenches" as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and chief academic officer. Right before going to the Foundation, Scott was the Chief Academic Officer for Boston Public Schools, where he was responsible for the academic programming of the school systems, as well as overseeing all regional superintendents and schools in the district. 

Scott began his professional education experience in the classroom as an English teacher and choral director for fifteen years. He also served as the principal of McCaskey East High Schools in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for four years. As principal, Scott led a team of teachers and administrators to reform the 3,200-student high school into eight small learning communities, as well as to develop core curricula for all students. 

Scott holds a bachelor's degree from Millersville University; a master's degree in education from Temple University; and a master's and doctoral degree from Harvard University. He is also the author of the book Leading with Heart and Soul: 30 Inspiring Lessons of Faith, Learning, and Leadership for Educators.