Ryan Wise
Ryan Wise is a former Iowa director of education, serving in the position from 2015 to 2020. He was appointed to the position by Gov. Terry Branstad (R) in 2015 to replace former director Brad Buck. He had previously served as deputy director of the department of education under Buck.[1] Wise resigned from the position in March 2020 to become dean of the School of Education at Drake University.[2]
Biography
Originally from South Dakota, Wise began his career in education as a history teacher in under-performing high schools in Mississippi and Nebraska, in both urban and rural areas. He then returned to South Dakota in order to begin and lead a Teach for America program on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations. Wise was the executive director for Teach for American in South Dakota from 2003 until 2008, when he became managing director for growth strategy and development for Teach for All.
Wise came to Iowa in 2012 to manage the educational task force that led to the creation of the Iowa Teacher Leadership and Compensation System. In 2013, the state legislature adopted that system and Wise became the deputy director of the Iowa Department of Education.[1][3]
Education
- B.A. in history, Creighton University
- M.P.A., University of Nebraska-Omaha
- Ph.D. in educational leadership, Harvard University[3]
Political career
Director of the Iowa Department of Education (2015 - 2020)
Wise was appointed director of the Iowa Department of Education by Gov. Terry Branstad (R), effective July 1, 2015. Wise replaced outgoing director Brad Buck, who resigned to become the superintendent of the Cedar Rapids school district.[1][3]
Upon his appointment, Wise said,
| “ | I admire the Governor’s and Lieutenant Governor’s commitment to providing every child in Iowa with the world-class education they deserve ... It has been a privilege to lead the implementation of the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System that rewards great teachers. I am now eager to accept a new challenge of leading the Iowa Department of Education at this critical juncture when we continue putting in place the transformational education reforms signed by Governor Branstad in 2013.”[4][5] | ” |
Wise left office in March 2020.[2]
About the office
The director is responsible for providing leadership for the Department of Education. The director also serves as the executive officer of the State Board of Education.
Recent news
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See also
| Iowa | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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- Superintendent of Schools
- Iowa Director of Education
- Iowa school districts
- Iowa Department of Education
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Des Moines Register, William Petroski, "Ryan Wise appointed Iowa education director," accessed July 31, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Business Record, "Reynolds appoints Lebo as director of Iowa Department of Education," March 12, 2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Iowa Department of Education, "Director Ryan Wise," accessed July 31, 2016
- ↑ Office of the Governor of Iowa, "Gov. Branstad names Ryan Wise Education Director," accessed July 31, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Brad Buck |
Iowa Director of Education 2015 - 2020 |
Succeeded by Ann Lebo |
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