Dan Effland is the Executive Director of Summit Atlas High School in West Seattle, a position he has held since 2020,and is a member of Summit's Network Leadership Team. He joined Summit Public Schools in 2017, initially as a Special Education teacher and then serving as a Dean of Culture & Instruction at Summit Sierra.

Originally from West Virginia, Dan is an alumnus of West Virginia University. After college, he spent over a decade as a professional musician in Chicago, during which he was inspired by his experiences working with students in Chicago Public Schools to transition into education. Through Teach for America, Dan earned a Master's in Special Education from Dominican University and taught special education for grades 6-12 in both Chicago and Seattle. He also holds a Master's in Public School Building Administration from Columbia University, Teachers College.

Dan serves on the Board of Directors for the League of Education Voters Foundation and the Washington State Charter Schools Association as well as serving as a Trustee for Three Tree Montessori School in his local community. His work and service represent his personal mission and vision: To transform PK-12 education, one school at a time if necessary, to build a world where all people are academically literate, think critically, and actively contribute to the welfare and happiness of others.

Dan lives in Burien, WA with his partner and two beautiful children.