NEW GLARUS - Dr. Jennifer Thayer, dean of the Monroe Campus of Blackhawk Technical College, will become the New Glarus school district's new superintendent this summer.
The New Glarus school board announced the appointment Tuesday, April 9. Thayer will begin her tenure on July 1.
"Jennifer has the experience and knowledge the district needs to help it achieve its strategic goals," New Glarus School Board President Gail Anderson said in a news release. "Jennifer is a big picture thinker, who knows how to translate a vision and mission into specific goals and actions that will positively impact teaching and student learning. The entire board is thrilled to have Jennifer navigate our instructional ship and provide leadership to our administrators and staff."
Thayer, of Monroe, said she is looking forward to her new position. She and her husband, Doug, grew up in smaller communities, and she said they are excited about moving to New Glarus, where their two children will attend school.
"My background and my networking are in K-12. It's what I know and what I love," Thayer said Tuesday. "New Glarus has a great atmosphere and a great school."
The district chose Thayer from among 39 applicants, following Superintendent David Strudthoff's resignation earlier this spring. Nine candidates were chosen to be interviewed by the entire administrative team, other staff members, two high school students, and community members. Two finalists were chosen for second interviews by the board and administration team.
"During the interview process, I was very impressed with the community members, staff, administration, and board members I met, and I look forward to building relationships with all stakeholders in the New Glarus School District in the coming months," Thayer said in a statement.
Thayer became dean of Monroe Campus of Blackhawk Technical College in July 2011.
"I loved working with the staff and the community (at Black Hawk Technical College)," Thayer said Tuesday. "It's a great little campus with a huge amount of potential for the future."
Appointed in 2009 by State Superintendent Tony Evers, Thayer formerly served as Assistant State Superintendent for Student and School Success at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in addition to serving as a school improvement consultant and Title I/Math Consultant with DPI. During her time with DPI, she worked with districts on standards, assessments, accountability, professional development, and school improvement initiatives.
Previously, Thayer spent eight years as the director of curriculum and instruction for the Monroe school district. She began her educational career as a high school math and computer science teacher. Thayer earned both her master's degree in curriculum and instruction and her doctorate in educational leadership from University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The New Glarus school board announced the appointment Tuesday, April 9. Thayer will begin her tenure on July 1.
"Jennifer has the experience and knowledge the district needs to help it achieve its strategic goals," New Glarus School Board President Gail Anderson said in a news release. "Jennifer is a big picture thinker, who knows how to translate a vision and mission into specific goals and actions that will positively impact teaching and student learning. The entire board is thrilled to have Jennifer navigate our instructional ship and provide leadership to our administrators and staff."
Thayer, of Monroe, said she is looking forward to her new position. She and her husband, Doug, grew up in smaller communities, and she said they are excited about moving to New Glarus, where their two children will attend school.
"My background and my networking are in K-12. It's what I know and what I love," Thayer said Tuesday. "New Glarus has a great atmosphere and a great school."
The district chose Thayer from among 39 applicants, following Superintendent David Strudthoff's resignation earlier this spring. Nine candidates were chosen to be interviewed by the entire administrative team, other staff members, two high school students, and community members. Two finalists were chosen for second interviews by the board and administration team.
"During the interview process, I was very impressed with the community members, staff, administration, and board members I met, and I look forward to building relationships with all stakeholders in the New Glarus School District in the coming months," Thayer said in a statement.
Thayer became dean of Monroe Campus of Blackhawk Technical College in July 2011.
"I loved working with the staff and the community (at Black Hawk Technical College)," Thayer said Tuesday. "It's a great little campus with a huge amount of potential for the future."
Appointed in 2009 by State Superintendent Tony Evers, Thayer formerly served as Assistant State Superintendent for Student and School Success at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in addition to serving as a school improvement consultant and Title I/Math Consultant with DPI. During her time with DPI, she worked with districts on standards, assessments, accountability, professional development, and school improvement initiatives.
Previously, Thayer spent eight years as the director of curriculum and instruction for the Monroe school district. She began her educational career as a high school math and computer science teacher. Thayer earned both her master's degree in curriculum and instruction and her doctorate in educational leadership from University of Wisconsin-Madison.