James R. Haj

James Haj has a strong background in education and leadership. James started their career in 2003 as a Principal in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system, where they served at both Southwest Miami High School and Paul W. Bell Middle School. James then moved on to various administrative roles within the school district, including Administrative Director/Chief Negotiator for Labor Relations and Administrative Director/Region Director for both the Central and South Region Offices. In these roles, they supervised multiple schools, provided guidance to principals and assistant principals, and ensured the safety and security of students. In 2016, they transitioned to the non-profit sector as the President/CEO of The Children's Trust of Miami-Dade County, where they work to improve the lives of children and families by funding and supporting high-quality programs.

James Haj has a diverse education history. James pursued post-graduate studies in educational leadership at Nova Southeastern University from 1995 to 1996. Prior to that, they earned a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with a focus on business administration and management from the University of Miami from 1993 to 1995. James Haj obtained a Bachelor's Degree in education from Florida State University, where they studied from 1988 to 1990. Additionally, James Haj has engaged in professional development at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the field of education, specifically focusing on improving schools through the art of leadership.

Alongside their formal education, James Haj holds additional certifications in the field of education. James obtained an Educational Leadership Certificate from the State of Florida, although specific details regarding the timeframe of acquisition are unavailable. Further, they hold a Teaching Certificate from the State of Florida.