Dr. Nancy Kotowski, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools, took office on January 8, 2007. Dr. Kotowski embraces her leadership role as a sacred trust to ensure public education fulfills its mission of preparing every child for success at each step of the educational journey to high school graduation. Her leadership is focused on four pillar areas for accomplishing this mission -- student achievement, fiscal accountability, student safety and health, and effective teachers and leaders.

In just three years, Dr. Kotowski has successfully steered the County Office of Education and the County’s educational systems through unprecedented state and national financial crisis. With a clear line of sight to the classrooms of Monterey County, she has successfully established high expectations and standards of accountability just as she promised the public she would do. She has implemented transparent operations and open communication systems throughout the County. She has set the bar for high quality, cost effective, and efficient services.

Dr. Kotowski is recognized as an effective, prudent and resourceful community and educational leader. Dr. Kotowski has been responsible for connecting the business and educational communities while securing millions of dollars a year in state, federal and other funding for educational services throughout the county.

Throughout her 35 years of experience, Dr. Kotowski has excelled in all aspects of the education system based on her dedication to preparing youth for the future.

Dr. Kotowski holds her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton, Masters of Arts degree in Educational Administration from Northwestern University and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Education Policy and Organization from the University of Southern California. While at USC, she worked for Policy Analysis for California Education that publishes studies such as The Conditions of Education in California. She co-authored a chapter with nationally recognized school finance expert Allan Odden in Rethinking School Finance for the 1990’s. Dr. Kotowski is a curriculum and instruction expert in implementing California’s world-class academic standards and helped develop California’ English-Language Arts Framework. With her leadership and support, advances have been made in improving comprehensive English Language Development instruction for English learners.

As U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon, Africa, Dr. Kotowski was recognized as a Volunteer of the Year for her development work in education. Beginning with her work in the Peace Corps, she has proven her ability to: successfully work side-by-side with people of diverse cultures, be very creative with extremely limited resources, find all possible resources to meet instructional needs and conduct effective training that is targeted at root needs.

Dr. Kotowski’s commitment to education, literacy and health carries through her community involvement. She serves as a board member of the National Steinbeck Center as the Education Committee Chair, Monterey County Media Center for Arts, Education and Technology, and the State’s Fiscal Crisis Management Team that reports directly to the Legislature. She is Chair of the Monterey County Children’s Council, and co-chair of the Foster Youth Services Council. She is a member of the Monterey County Business Council; the Monterey Bay Education Consortium of K12 Schools, Community Colleges, and Universities; the Monterey County School Board’s Association; the Rotary Club of Monterey, and serves as Advisor to the Monterey County Junior League.