DOE Deputy Superintendent to Leave for D.C.

Hawai’i State Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe, who has held the position since December 2010, will head to Washington, D.C. in April. He will take the presidential-appointed position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education.

“Ronn Nozoe is part of a great team in Hawai’i that has made tremendous strides in improving teaching and learning across the state. His experience as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and state leader make him well qualified to help the U.S. Department of Education’s effort to partner with other states and local districts to help ensure all students are successful,” said Deborah Delisle, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. “We are thrilled to have Ronn on board.”

Prior to being appointed Deputy Superintendent, Nozoe served as interim Deputy Superintendent beginning in January 2010. During his time of service, measurable improvements have been made throughout the state in student achievement, behavior, absenteeism, graduation rates, and college-going rates. Gains on the National Assessment of Education Progress has also occurred during his time as deputy.

Nozoe has also served as Complex Area Superintendent of Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani from 2008 to 2010, as well as the Farrington-Kaiser Complex Area from 2005 to 2008. He was also Principal of Keolu Elementary between 2002 and 2005 and Vice Principal of Mokapu Elementary between 2000 and 2002. Between 1995 and 2000, he held teaching positions at King Intermediate. Nozoe holds both a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s of education from the University of Hawai’i.

“Ronn will bring to Washington school and state-level perspectives of the hard work that has been done here in Hawai’i as well as a focus on keeping students at the center of our work,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.

With Matayoshi, Nozoe has led the charge in aligning school, complex, state, and national efforts to improve student learning. Some of the improvements include developing the academic leadership team, establishing the Teacher Leader Workgroup and Deputy’s Principal Roundtable, overseeing the development, implementation and monitoring of the Strategic Plan, Race to the Top, Elementary and Secondary Education Act Waiver, and the Strive HI system, the development and implementation of the Complex Area Support Team structure and routines, improving the relationship between the U.S. Pacific Command and Military, and partnering with the Hawai’i State Teachers Association on the Joint Committee to improve the Educators Effectiveness System.

“At the heart of any real change and improvement are deeply committed and selfless people who are willing to put the case – in our case, kids – before their individual needs or wants,” Nozoe said. “By increasing the number and quality of measure of success, we are now able to recognize excellence and progress in more schools and more people which helps to highlight the valiant efforts happening statewide.”

The Deputy Superintendent position will be filled following Nozoe’s departure on April 24. An internal recruitment is underway.