Alaska Board of Education and Early Development names former Mat-Su superintendent new commissioner

The state’s education board unanimously voted to appoint former Anchorage schools Superintendent Deena Bishop as commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development at its quarterly meeting on Wednesday.

“We are excited to bring Dr. Bishop on board for the commissioner position,” said board Chair James Fields in a press release. “She has a strong passion and dedication to improving outcomes for all students.”

Bishop has worked in education in Alaska for three decades, starting with a job teaching third grade at Glenallen Elementary School. She held positions from coach to principal in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and was the Anchorage School District superintendent from 2016-2022.

She said she’s happy and honored to serve in the role. “It’s, of course, a big challenge,” she said. “If I wasn’t a little nervous, I’d be the wrong person for the job.”

She said she decided to return to education from retirement and apply for the commissioner role after the recent death of her husband. “I’m in a new position where I feel like I have more to give,” she said. “He would be proud to have me add value to education and the state of Alaska.”

Bishop said she sees the education department shifting from a role ensuring compliance with laws to a role of service and support for the varied districts in the state. She said she’s excited to listen to districts and schools to help them provide the best learning experiences possible for the families in their communities.

Mostly, she said, she loves education.

“It is wonderful to see kids succeed, and do something that they didn’t think was possible,” she said.

Bishop takes on her role Aug. 9, 2023, after approval from Gov. Mike Dunleavy.