John Fischer named Interim Deputy Commissioner of Education

John Fischer, Director of Integrated Support for Learning, High School and Adult Division at the Vermont Department of Education, has been named Interim Deputy Commissioner, the department announced today.
Fischer, a resident of Moretown, will assume the position of Deputy Commissioner of Transformation and Innovation on an interim basis, which was vacated by Rae Ann Knopf earlier this month. A major focus of his work will be ushering the department’s flexibility waiver request from the US Department of Education under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as No Child Left Behind. The waiver will be submitted for review on February 21, 2012.
‘John is a leader in the department in our work to expand opportunities for all students, through his work for career and technical education, dual enrollment, and multiple pathways to learning,’ said Vilaseca. ‘We are fortunate to have his expertise and leadership in this important work at this critical time.’
Since 1978, John held positions at Plymouth State University in residential life and student activities, and in the New Hampshire Community College system as Dean of Students, Vice President and Provost. John was also a private business owner in Vermont.
John joined the Vermont Department of Education in 2006 as a consultant and workgroup coordinator in Career and Technical Education (CTE). Since 2010, he has served as the Director of the High School and Adult Division, leading school improvement initiatives, high school innovation and transformation, and also serving as the State Director for CTE. He has served as the New England representative on the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Directors of CTE since 2009. Additionally, John serves on the State Dual Enrollment Advisory Board, the VSAC Gear Up Board, Workforce Development Council, New England Secondary Schools Consortium State Council, and The Vermont REAL Entrepreneurship Executive Board.