Susan feels extremely blessed to be serving as the ASTE Executive Director. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Master of Education in Elementary Education, and an Education Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision. She began her career in education as a certified teacher in 2006. As the daughter of a (now retired) high school principal, educational leadership runs in Susan’s blood. She began her own teaching path in Tennessee when she opened the first READ 180 lab in her hometown of Sevier County.
Susan and her husband, Andy, moved to Alaska in 2009 for an adventure, and never left! She began her work in Alaska as Special Education Program Manager with DEED traveling to school districts across the state to ensure compliance for all eligible students with disabilities. In 2010, she and Andy moved to the Mat-Su Valley where she worked in the Office of Instruction for the Mat-Su District Office as an Instructional Coordinator. In 2014, Susan joined the administrative team at Palmer High School (PHS) where she served as an Assistant Principal. In 2015, she joined the Falcon Family at Finger Lake Elementary as Principal. After serving as Principal for six years, she decided she was ready to begin a new learning journey.
Susan was a part-time graduation coach for Federal Programs at Palmer High until becoming the Special Projects Director for Lower Yukon School District and continues her work as the ASTE Executive Director. Susan has loved meeting and getting to know the ASTE Board who are amazing educators serving in various capacities from all over Alaska! Susan’s passions include creating and implementing structures and systems that make other people’s job better, smoother, and easier.
Susan loves hiking, biking, camping, fishing, hosting get-togethers, and enjoying the warm and sunny Alaska days. Susan served as the Mat-Su Principals’ Association Vice-President in 2020-2021, was recognized as a National ESEA Distinguished School (Finger Lake Elementary) in 2018, is an ALiCE Active Intruder Certified Trainer and Presenter, and is an Educational Consultant.
Susan can’t say enough about the phenomenal mentors, leaders, teachers, and coaches that she has had on her journey! Her life and career mottos are #MyGoalisYourSuccess, #ServingAndSatisfied, and #TooBlessedToBeStressed.
