Dr. Stephen Neal Jr. is a seasoned educator, advocate, and community leader with more than 30 years of experience dedicated to expanding educational opportunities and helping students reach their full potential. His career spans public, charter, and private schools, as well as Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) community, giving him a broad understanding of the diverse educational needs of students, parents, teachers, and schools.

Throughout his career, Dr. Neal has served in numerous educational and student-support roles, including school psychologist, counselor, behavioral specialist, substitute teacher, Special Education Director, STEAM Co-Director, coach, and adjunct professor. This extensive hands-on experience has shaped his commitment to ensuring that every student—regardless of background, ability, learning environment, or educational pathway—has access to a high-quality education and the support necessary to succeed.

As a 2026 write-in candidate for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Neal is advancing a vision built on transparency, collaboration, accountability, fairness, teacher empowerment, parental engagement, and strong partnerships between schools and their communities. He believes educators should be supported and respected, parents should have a meaningful voice in their children’s education, and educational decisions should remain focused on what best serves students.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Neal is a strong advocate for literacy, community outreach, special education, and supportive learning environments that strengthen not only students but also their families and communities. His approach to educational leadership emphasizes bringing people together, improving outcomes, and ensuring Arizona’s education system provides meaningful opportunities for every child to learn, grow, and succeed