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.
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