Eric Dillie, Livermore Educator and School Leader: From the Classroom to School Boards Across the East Bay

Eric Dillie is an educator and school leader who has lived in Livermore, California since 2013. Over more than two decades in education he has moved from teaching middle school history to leading schools in Texas and California, and he now serves on school and nonprofit boards across Livermore, the Tri-Valley and the East Bay.

A credentialed teacher first

Eric is a first-generation college graduate, raised in a blue-collar, labor-union household by parents who earned their GEDs. The care he received from his own public school teachers led him into the profession. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Science from the University of Northern Iowa and spent more than seven years teaching 6th- and 7th-grade history in Texas public schools.

He then earned a Master of Education in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas (2008). He holds a California Clear Administrative Services Credential, a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science, a Texas EC–12 Principal Credential, and a Texas 6–12 Social Studies credential.

Moving into school leadership

Eric Dillie's school leadership spans traditional public, private and public charter schools:

  • Winfree Academy Charter Schools (Texas), 2009–2013 — Principal for three years and Director of Instruction for one year
  • Principal, Livermore Valley Charter Preparatory High School (2013–2016)
  • Superintendent of Schools, Key Educational Group (KEY Academy), 2018–2022
  • Director of International Programs for a private school group
  • Executive Director, Summit Public Schools: Tamalpais (2022–present), a tuition-free 7th–12th grade public charter school

His focus areas include staff development, instructional design, curriculum alignment, school culture and charter school leadership. He believes high-quality public schools, whether district or charter, should be measured by how well they serve every student, including students of color and students from low-income families.

School board and education governance service

Eric's work in school governance goes beyond his own campus:

  • KEY Academy Charter School — Board of Directors: supporting tuition-free K–8 charter education in Hayward, after serving as its Superintendent of Schools.
  • Contra Costa County Charter Coalition (5Cs) — Board of Directors: advancing public charter school governance and educational equity across the East Bay.
  • Rising Young Leaders — Director of Education, Board of Directors.
  • Advisor to Elected School Board Trustees.
  • 2022 candidate for the Alameda County Board of Education, Trustee Area 7, a run grounded in his commitment to local educational leadership. Former students, parents and Livermore community members shared letters of support during that campaign.

Community service in Livermore and the Tri-Valley

Eric also serves the Livermore Valley outside of schools:

  • Rotarian Foundation of Livermore — former Board of Directors, which awards grants to Livermore Valley charities and supports third-grade literacy and scholarships. He has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley for more than 10 years.
  • Livermore Valley Craft Beer Foundation — Board of Directors, whose fundraising has included building 426+ new bikes for Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District students through Kids Bike Lane.
  • Partners for Change Tri-Valley — former Board of Directors, helping Livermore families chart a course out of poverty.
  • East Bay Home Ownership Opportunity — board service.

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