A top Tennessee education official will serve as Virginia’s new State Superintendent of Public Instruction, replacing replace Jillian Balow, who resigned earlier this month just 14 months into her tenure.
New Department of Education Head Named
March 22, 2023 | Virginia
Lisa Coons, who serves as chief academic officer of the Tennessee Department of Education, will take over as head of the Virginia Department of Education on April 17.
Coons has worked in Tennessee education for almost a decade, and spearheaded the state’s revision of English Language Arts instruction.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin “has set a bold academic agenda that puts students first and empowers families to help set priorities for their children,” Coons said in a news release. “We have an opportunity in Virginia to be the country’s best state for education, and we’ll achieve that vision through partnerships with families, educators and school division leaders.” (Excerpt from Richmond Times-Dispatch.)
