Rae Ann Knopf Appointed Deputy Commissioner

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Rae Ann Knopf of St. Johnsbury was confirmed as Vermont’s Deputy Commissioner of Education by the State Board of Education in a special meeting in October. Knopf, who most recently served as the Assistant Director for Student Support and Safe and Healthy Schools, also serves as the department’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) coordinator.

“We on the State Board of Education are excited about Rae Ann Knopf’s appointment as Deputy Commissioner,” said Board Chair Fayneese Miller. “I have had the pleasure of watching her expertly steward the department and our education partners through the complexities of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I personally look forward to working with her and the commissioner as we continue our work on the transformation of education in Vermont. ”

Rae Ann Knopf has worked nationally over the last 26 years to establish learning communities where young people can thrive and realize their true potential. She uses her experience as a school administrator, clinical director, corporate executive and organizational development specialist to lead statewide efforts to continue strengthening Vermont’s educational system by implementing tiered systems of support and intervention for academics and behavior.

“The appointment of Rae Ann Knopf as the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Transformation and Innovation will greatly benefit the children of our state,” said Commissioner Vilaseca. “She has demonstrated leadership in innovative school practices prior to her arrival at the department.  Her diverse experience in the private sector and non-profit private schools brings a different perspective to this role and compliments my experience in public schools.”

Knopf’s duties as the next in command under Commissioner Armando Vilaseca will include, but are not limited to, overseeing the programmatic divisions of the department, which encompass Student Support and Safe and Healthy Schools, Lifelong Learning, Standards and Assessment, Educator Quality, and Independent and Federal Programs. She will also play a critical leadership role in the department regarding the Transformation of Education effort, State Board work and advising Commissioner Vilaseca on policy matters. She will continue her role as the ARRA coordinator for the department.

“These are both challenging and exciting times for education in Vermont,” says Knopf. “Challenging because the current economic realities force us to constantly reassess our priorities. Exciting because our understanding of how children learn and accessibility to global educational resources increases exponentially every year. I look forward to working with Commissioner Vilaseca, the department staff, and educators across the state to put our collective knowledge to use in helping each child in Vermont to thrive and recognize their true potential.”