Earlier this year, WSSDA Deputy Executive Director Jessica Vavrus was encouraged to apply for the position of Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD) and OSPI Network Executive Director. The position came open when longtime educator Dr. Gene Sharratt announced his retirement. The AESD is pleased to announce Jessica was selected to fill this important role. She will officially begin her leadership responsibilities August 1, 2019.
Before her work at WSSDA, Jessica spent almost 15 years serving in a variety of leadership roles at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). One of those roles was as the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. In that role, Jessica connected the work of OSPI with efforts in each of the nine regional Educational Service Districts (ESDs) to develop an equitable and accessible statewide delivery system to support school districts and educators in providing instruction and other important services through the AESD. This work culminated significantly between 2010 and 2015 as part of a statewide Coordinated Services Agreement and partnership among the AESD and OSPI.
Fast-forward to the present and Jessica’s new role will bring her full-circle, squarely fitting with her strengths and commitment to supporting K-12 education across the state.
“We could not be more proud of Jessica and the leadership that she has provided not only to WSSDA, but to the entire K-12 System,” commented Tim Garchow, executive director of WSSDA. “We all knew that a leader of Jessica’s caliber would someday be asked to serve in a top position. We are very happy for her and excited about the opportunities her transition will afford our system as a whole . . . Jessica has been essential in cultivating relationships with sister organizations such as the SBE, WASA and OSPI. And of course, her attention to nurturing healthy relationships with members of the Legislature has carried WSSDA to new heights. Her successor will have big shoes to fill, but a strong WSSDA team to provide support.”
Please welcome Jessica to her new role as Executive Director of the AESD Network!
