Christopher Downing, Ed.D.
Chris Downing, is currently in his 35th year in education. As the proud superintendent of the Anaheim Elementary School District (AESD), Dr. Downing leads 24 elementary schools in the largest Elementary District in the state of California.
Dr. Downing worked with Los Angeles Unified School District for 29 years including service as a teacher; principal; Administrator of the Parent Community Services Branch (PCSB) where he led LAUSD parent engagement at all District schools; and Local District Director where he supervised 20 schools within South Los Angeles. Dr. Downing also served as a Local District Superintendent in LAUSD where he helped foster 21st century teaching and learning for 148 schools and 88,000 students located in South Los Angeles in some of the most traditionally underserved schools in the District. He pioneered partnership programs with Community Colleges to provide dual enrollment programs at all middle schools and high schools within the Local District.
Now in his sixth year with AESD, he has worked in partnership with Anaheim stakeholders and the AESD Board toward the adoption of a districtwide focus on STEAM and the implementation of Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs in all 24 schools (including the first Korean DLI program in Orange County) and the launching of a new Mandarin DLI program in 2023-24. AESD was selected by Californians Together to receive the inaugural Lynne Aoki Multiple Pathways to Biliteracy – District Recognition Award. AESD has been recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) as a Best Community for Music Education from 2019 – 2023 for their innovative music program.
Dr. Downing has been recognized as the 2016 Harbor Gateway Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year; the 2018 Association of California School Administrators Region XVI Superintendent of the Year; the 2019 4th District PTA Outstanding Administrator Award; and the 2020 Maureen DiMarco Award for Leadership from the Orange County School Boards Association. Recent recognitions include his appointment to the California School Boards Association Superintendent Advisory Council In January 2023; 2023 CABE Honorary Chairperson; and receipt of the Save the Music – National Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education in February 2023.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Downing received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UCLA; completed his Masters of Science degree in Educational Leadership at Pepperdine University; and earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from USC.
Dr. Downing is happily married and has two wonderful daughters.