Staff changes at DOE

The Department of Education (DOE) has 150 staff members. When you have that many people working in one location, it isn’t unusual to see staff changes from time to time. We have had a number of changes in our department recently, and I’d like to fill you in on a few of them.

If you have been in South Dakota’s education field for a few years, you have probably talked with Roxie Thielen on the phone at one time or another. Roxie has been a pillar in the department, serving in the Secretary’s Office for the past 27 years. Roxie recently decided to leave her position as the assistant to the department secretary and will assist with the High Quality Teacher grant that has been a priority for our department over the past two years. We will miss Roxie in the Secretary’s Office, but she isn’t far away!

Rich Deaver is our new career and technical education director. Rich comes to the DOE from Sturgis, where he served as a high school principal for 25 years. Rich replaces Gloria Smith-Rockhold after her term as interim director. 

Tammy Bauck has accepted a new position with Three Rivers Cooperative. Tammy has been with the department for seven years, most recently as the director of the Office of Curriculum, Technology and Assessment. Tammy did an excellent job as a department leader in the areas of technology and curriculum. We wish her the best as she accepts a new challenge in education. 

Wade Pogany has become director of Curriculum and Instruction. Wade’s duties will be to coordinate the Offices of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Curriculum, Technology and Assessment (CTA). We are excited to use Wade’s experience and skills to enhance the two offices mentioned above. In addition, Wade’s former Office of School Enhancement has been dissolved. Most of the programs in that office have been moved to the Office of Support Services directed by Janet Ricketts. 

Diane Lowery has moved from her position as coordinator of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) to a Title I team leader. Diane will remain involved in the school improvement process and will continue serving on the department’s NCLB team. Diane was instrumental in providing the foundation for the implementation of NCLB in South Dakota. We owe her a big “thank you” for the detail work that she performed for our state to be in compliance with NCLB. Melody Schopp is now the general contact person for NCLB.

The DOE’s mission is “Enhancing Learning through Leadership and Service.” Even as our organization changes, our staff remains focused on that mission and providing our customers with solid leadership and timely service.