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SACRAMENTO – On Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the appointment of Dr. Glen Thomas as secretary of education.
“With over 30 years of experience as a teacher and leader at the local, county and state level, Glen is the right person to make sure California continues to uphold high academic standards during this challenging fiscal time,” said Schwarzenegger. “He shares my dedication to quality education for every student, and I am confident that he will work collaboratively with the educational community to improve student achievement and expand educational opportunities in our state while also working towards stronger accountability and greater transparency in our educational system.”
Since 2007, Thomas, 62, has served as a consultant to several philanthropic foundations and educational organizations including the Khosla Foundation and the Hewlett Foundation, as well as the California State Parent Teachers Association and the Association of California School Administrators.
From 1998 to 2006, Thomas served as the executive director for the California County Superintendents Education Services Association, the statewide network of California’s 58 county superintendents of schools.
A strong promoter of early education learning opportunities, he served as director for Preschool for All Planning Support in 2006 and assistant superintendent and director of the elementary teaching and learning division for the California Department of Education from 1995 to 1996. He was also director for the Reinvigorating Arts Education in California Project from 2005 to 2006 and the Statewide Administrator Training Program from 2003 to 2006.
From 1999 to 2005, Thomas served as co-director for the U.S. Department of Education Grant Preparing Tomorrow’s Teacher to Use Technology and, from 1997 to 1998, he was director for education technology Office for the California Department of Education and was the executive director for the Council on Technology in Learning.
Prior to that, he was the deputy executive director for the Commission of the Establishment of Academic Content and Performance Standards from 1996 to 1997 and executive secretary for the California State Curriculum Commission from 1988 to 1996. From 1984 to 1995, Thomas was the director for the curriculum frameworks and instructional resources office for the California Department of Education.
Thomas started his teaching career in Modesto in 1970 in working with the children of farm laborers in migrant education. He later worked for the Modesto City School District as a teacher from 1971 to 1974 and was an instructor for the Association of California School Administrators from 1987 to 2004.
He served as an adjunct professor for National University from 1996 to 1999, the California State University, Sacramento Graduate School from 1997 to 2005 and Pepperdine University Doctoral Program from 1999 to 2001. Furthering his commitment to education, he has worked at the University of Southern California, Sacramento Center where he has served as an adjunct professor since 2005 and previously served as a clinical professor from 1999 to 2003.
Thomas is a member of the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Education Board of Advisors. He was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to the Academic Standards Commission and served on the High School Exit Exam Committee.
“I am honored Gov. Schwarzenegger has selected me to work with him in this new capacity,” Thomas said. “I am excited to build on existing policies that will strengthen our schools, promote student achievement for every student, create conditions for innovation, promote civic engagement and work through the fiscal challenges we are all facing.:
Thomas added, “I look forward to working with the governor, the legislature and the educational community to ensure the best possible education for our young people. They are the future of this state.”
Thomas, who is from Sacramento, earned a doctorate degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in instructional policy and school administration from the University of Southern California, a master of arts degree in child and family studies from Washington State University and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Biola University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,000. Thomas is a Republican.
Thomas’ wife, Connie, teaches first grade for the San Juan School District in Sacramento. They have two daughters, both graduates of California public schools system. Jori Thomas is a civil engineer having graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Jody Thomas works in a genetics and chemistry lab having graduated from UC Davis in genetics.
The Office of the Secretary of Education is the primary education advisor to the governor and is committed to creating, promoting and supporting the governor’s policies that ensure access to quality education for all Californians.
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