Governor Chet Culver announced earlier this week that Judy Jeffrey, the Director of the Iowa Department of Education, plans to retire next month. The Governor has named Kevin Fangman, the current Division Administrator for PK -12 Education, as Acting Director until a permanent replacement is named.
“Judy Jeffrey is a national leader in education,” said Governor Culver. “She has been instrumental in implementing our state’s core curriculum and creating our statewide preschool program. In these difficult economic times, Judy has done an outstanding job leading this vital department and protecting the progress we have made in educating our children. Judy exemplifies what it means to be a public servant, and she will truly be missed.”
Judy Jeffrey began her career in education as an elementary teacher in the Goldfield Community Schools more than 40 years ago. She went on to work in the Council Bluffs Community Schools for 24 years, rising to the position of Assistant Superintendent. She joined the Iowa Department of Education in 1996, and was named Director of the Department in 2004 by Governor Tom Vilsack. Governor Chet Culver asked Jeffrey to stay on as Director of Education when he took office in 2007.
“It has been a privilege to work in a state where educators – from preschool to higher education – work collaboratively together,” said Jeffrey. “National experts have told me time and time again that Iowa has some of the best teachers in the nation and an education community that truly works hard for the children of our state. I am proud to have been called an Iowa educator.”