Title: Director of Accreditation
Company: Nebraska Department of Education
Location: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Decua Jean-Baptiste, EdD, director of accreditation at the Nebraska Department of Education, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in education.
Dr. Jean-Baptiste, director of accreditation for the Nebraska Department of Education (DOE), has been instrumental in his leading role since 2023. A role that comes with many responsibilities, he is tasked with overseeing compliance of all schools within the state, as well as close to 20 interim programs and over 80 educational service units. Dr. Jean-Baptiste also ensures continuous improvement and support for all accredited schools. Moreover, he engages in various administrative objectives, ranging from phone calls to Zoom meetings with the superintendent and collaborating with human resources.
On any given day, Dr. Jean-Baptiste works with districts ranging from 100 students to over 50,000 students, each presenting various challenges. His goal as the director is to become more fluent in the rules and regulations that govern these schools. The state comprises publicly accredited schools and nonpublic accredited schools. Thoroughly understanding the various statutes is also essential to his continued success.
Before pivoting into working for the DOE, Dr. Jean-Baptiste was an elementary school principal for Omaha Public Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1996 to 2022. Before his tenure in that capacity, he worked as an assistant principal in the Omaha school system. Dr. Jean-Baptiste also garnered academic experience as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska in Omaha.
Highly educated in his respective field, Dr. Jean-Baptiste received an undergraduate degree from Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana. After his first year of college, he joined the National Guard in Louisiana, where he spent one summer before returning to school. Dr. Jean-Baptiste began attending the University of Nebraska, completing a master’s degree and a Doctor of Education. Beyond his formal education, Dr. Jean-Baptiste has remained at the forefront of the industry through memberships with the Concord Mediation Center and the Nebraska State Retired Educators.
Civically engaged, Dr. Jean-Baptiste has served as a volunteer and mentor for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He has also been affiliated with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Among other initiatives, he has served as a mentor for his church’s bible school.
Grateful for the opportunity to work with children and adults, Dr. Jean-Baptiste has drawn the most satisfaction from supporting the educational efforts of the state of Nebraska. He credits much of his success to his parents. His grandfather especially placed a high value on education. Additionally, Dr. Jean-Baptiste’s late mother was an educator for over five decades. After her retirement, she remained active in the field as a substitute teacher.
Dr. Jean-Baptiste was highlighted in the Omaha World-Herald in light of his former success as a school principal. The article explained how the school board prepared to let him go after a leadership change. Instead, the board kept him on board after his parents convinced them not to do so due to his strong ties to the students, families and community.
In the coming years, Dr. Jean-Baptiste aims to publish his first book. He also envisions becoming a public speaker and serving as a consultant or coach for educators and administrators, where he can offer support, ideas and tips to principals, superintendents and teachers in their professional development.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Dr. Jean-Baptiste:
