Gena Keller

Gena Keller has been privileged to serve students for over 44 years in the capacity of a teacher for children with special needs, home-school coordinator, counselor, administrator at elementary, middle, and high school, and as assistant superintendent for instruction before becoming the superintendent of Fluvanna County Public Schools. After her superintendency, she joined the Virginia Department of Education as the Professional Learning Coordinator and then moved to the role of Assistant Superintendent of Learning. Gena Keller retired from VDOE in 2017 and built a collaborative professional service organization through her role as the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Learning Partnership. The Partnership consisted of a team of Executive Directors of established professional learning organizations, higher education leaders, and individual educators with a deep commitment to transforming public education in Virginia with a laser focus on equity.

During her tenure as superintendent in Fluvanna, Gena earned the AASA National Superintendent Certification and was named the Region V Superintendent of the Year by her colleagues. Gena is known for her “dogged determination” while championing for every student that walks through the doors of a public school. Gena served as President of WELV (Women Education Leaders of Virginia) and continues to be active in professional organizations that support learning opportunities for all educators. Currently, she is a member of WELV, (VASS) Virginia Association of School Superintendents, (VATLL) Virginia Teaching Learning Leading, and (AASA) The School Superintendents Association. Gena has also served as adjunct professor for George Mason University, Longwood University, and James Madison University.

As Assistant Superintendent at VDOE, Gena was integral in connecting credible statewide professional learning organizations in assisting school districts in implementing the competencies and skill sets that comprised the Profile of a Virginia Graduate. Gena also assisted in the creation of supporting profiles: Profile of a Virginia Leader, Educator, and Classroom that became the drivers for the Virginia Superintendent Leadership Academy, Virginia Leads Innovation Network, and shifts in the preparation of educators in higher education institutions.

From 2019 until 2025, Gena was the co-lead, with Pam Moran, of the Virginia Leads Innovation Network, or VaLIN. VaLIN brought together teams of educators from over 80 of the 131 school divisions in Virginia to build the capacity of participants teaching and leading in Virginia’s public schools. This collaborative network was the first professional learning opportunity of its kind in Virginia. VaLIN continues today as educators commit to a two-year network of identifying problems of practice, solution seeking, sharing, and courageous work alongside executive coaches to assure that all students get what they need in order to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Gena received her BS Degree from Radford University and two Masters in Education from the University of Virginia. Gena and her husband, Larry, enjoy spending time with family; especially their six children and six grandchildren.