For Immediate Release
April 11, 2017
IEA Names Sue Wigdorski Executive Director
Boise, ID—The Idaho Education Association has named career educator and longtime Association staff member Sue Wigdorski as Executive Director, effective immediately. Wigdorski has been serving as Interim Executive Director since January, and had been the IEA’s Associate Executive Director since 2010. The announcement was made by IEA President Penni Cyr, and comes following a national search.
“Sue has all of the qualities and experience that the IEA Board of Directors was looking for in the next IEA Executive Director,” said Cyr. “She sees possibilities in everything, models positivity and enthusiasm and doesn’t believe in failure because everything is a learning opportunity.”
Wigdorski first joined the IEA staff in 1995 as the Director of School Innovation, and served as a Region Director in the Treasure Valley from 2000 until her promotion to Associate Executive Director in 2010. She taught English and worked with at-risk students at Nampa High School from 1988-93. Wigdorski has her Bachelor’s Degree from Whitworth College in Spokane and will receive her Master’s Degree in Adult Organizational Learning and Leadership from the University of Idaho this spring.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to continuing my work with our amazing members and the terrific IEA staff,” said Wigdorski. “Public education is very important to me, and I will always advocate for students, teachers and public schools. They are the foundation of everything that our society and our future generations can achieve.”
During her tenure with the IEA, Wigdorski has been instrumental in the success of many programs and initiatives, including overturning the Luna Laws, bringing SPARKS training for early career educators to the state, and increasing member engagement. As Interim Executive Director, she was part of the IEA’s legislative team during the 2017 legislative session. She also serves as one of the IEA’s representatives on the state’s Teacher Pipeline Workgroup that is working on potential solutions to Idaho’s teacher shortage.
The Executive Director oversees all Idaho Education Association staff, and works with the IEA President and Board of Directors to implement policy as determined by the membership of the Association. Wigdorski replaces Robin Nettinga, who retired in December.
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The Idaho Education Association is the leading organization for education employees in Idaho and is the largest professional organization in the state. The IEA and its members have worked together for more than 120 years to advocate for children and professional educators, and to promote strong public schools as the foundation of Idaho’s future.
Contact:
Dave Harbison
Communications Director
Idaho Education Association
dharbison@idahoea.org
208-344-1341, 208-869-6639 (cell)
