​​​​HONOLULU –Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe will be heading to Washington, D.C., next month where he will be Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). The position is a presidential appointment. 

​"Ronn Nozoe is part of a great team in Hawaii that has made tremendous strides in improving teaching and learning across the state. His experience as a teacher, principal, superintendent and state leader make him well qualified to help the U.S. Department of Education's effort to partner with states and local districts to help ensure all students are successful," said Deborah Delisle, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. "We are thrilled to have Ronn on board."

Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi praised the move.

“Ronn will bring to Washington school and state-level perspectives of the hard work that has been done here in Hawaii as well as a focus on keeping students at the center of our work,” said Superintendent Matayoshi. 

Nozoe was appointed Deputy Superintendent in December 2010, after serving as interim Deputy Superintendent since January 2010. During his tenure, the state has seen measurable improvements in student achievement, behavior, absenteeism, graduation rates, and college-going rates, including unprecedented gains on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Under the direction of Superintendent Matayoshi, he has led the charge in aligning school, complex, state and national efforts to systemically improve student learning, including the following:

• ​Development of the Academic Leadership Team, which is comprised of the 15 Complex Area Superintendents (CAS), the Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Reform, and the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Support and serves as a professional learning community and decision-making body for Hawaii's senior education leaders.
• Establishment of the Teacher Leader Workgroup and Deputy's Principal Roundtable to ensure face-to-face input and feedback in making adjustments for better outcomes.
• Leading the Zones of School Innovation​ in collaboration with CASs and Principals of the Zones’schools.
• Overseeing the development, implementation and monitoring of the Strategic Plan, Race to the Top, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Waiver, and Strive HI system.
• Development and implementation of the Complex Area Support Team (CAST) structure and routines.
• Improving the relationship with U.S. Pacific Command and the Military to one that is more engaged.
• Partnering with the Hawaii State Teachers Association on the Joint Committee to improve the Educator Effectiveness System.

“At the heart of any real change and improvement are deeply committed and selfless people who are willing to put the cause - in our case, kids - before their individual needs or wants,” stated Nozoe. “By increasing the number and quality of measures of success, we are now able to recognize excellence and progress in more schools and more people which helps to highlight the valiant efforts happening statewide.”

Nozoe’s last day at the DOE is April 24. An internal recruitment for the appointment to fill the Deputy Superintendent position is underway.

As the state’s chief academic officer, the Deputy’s responsibilities include leadership and supervision of the 15 Complex Area Superintendents and executive sponsorship of many of the DOE's strategic initiatives. 

Prior to becoming Deputy Superintendent, Nozoe served as Complex Area Superintendent of Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani (2008-2010) and Farrington-Kaiser Complex Area (2005-2008); Principal, Keolu Elementary (2002-2005); Vice Principal, Mokapu Elementary (2000-2002); and a language arts and social studies teacher, King Intermediate (1995-2000). He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s of education, both from the University of Hawaii.