DEED Welcomes Susan McKenzie as Director of Innovation and Education Excellence

This month DEED welcomed Susan McKenzie as Director of the Division of Innovation and Education Excellence.

Before joining DEED McKenzie served as a superintendent in Oregon, and her prior experience in education includes teaching and administrative experiences in both Oregon and Alaska. McKenzie is beginning her 14^th year working in education in Alaska. She taught elementary age students in the North Slope Borough School District for five years beginning in 1994 and then taught one year in Fairbanks.

“I had always loved reading. That was my passion – to teach reading,” McKenzie said. “When I was in Barrow and working with students who struggled with reading, it motivated me to go back and get my masters. So, I got my masters through the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Language and Literacy with a Reading endorsement, and that pushed me on to being a reading specialist.”

After several years as a reading specialist and special education teacher in Oregon, McKenzie returned to Alaska to work as a principal in the Copper River School District from 2010 through 2013. Since 2013 McKenzie has worked as a principal, special education director and superintendent in Oregon.

McKenzie says that what she loved about Alaska was the diversity of the state, the closeness of the educational community, and getting to know families and communities and learn about cultures other than her own.

“I’m a believer in proactive communication and working with all stakeholders,” McKenzie said. “I’m a team player. I believe that we really need to hear different voices and that we need to use the expertise of everyone.”

As IEE Director, McKenzie will oversee nine teams within the department. Those include School Recognition and Support, ESEA Federal Programs, Assessment, Health and Safety, Teacher Certification, Data and Accountability, Special Education, Early Learning, and Career and Technical Education.

“I’ve always wanted to make a positive difference in education in every area, but especially in the area of reading because I feel like when we can improve reading, it unlocks a lot of other areas for students,” McKenzie said. “So if this role helps do that in Alaska, then I feel like I’ve accomplished one of my life’s missions to help move us forward.”

Outside of her work with DEED, McKenzie looks forward to spending more time with family, including her son in Nikiski and her three daughters and grandson in Wasilla.