The Key Note Speaker for this year's conference will be Randy Watson,
Kansas Commissioner of Education.
Dr. Randy
Watson
Kansas
Commissioner of Education
Dr. Randy
Watson was named Kansas Commissioner of Education by the Kansas State Board of
Education in November 2014. He assumed his role July 2015.
As the
state’s chief education officer, he provides leadership to the Kansas State
Department of Education in carrying out the policies and programs prescribed by
the State Board of Education to ensure the necessary oversight and support is
provided to assist Kansas schools, educators and students in achieving their
goals.
Dr. Watson
began his education career in 1981 as a high school social studies teacher in
Tescott, KS. He has served as a high school principal and provided classroom
instruction at the university level.
Most
recently, Dr. Watson served the community of McPherson for 22 years — working
as an assistant superintendent from 1993-2005 and as superintendent from
2005-2015.
A native
of Coffeyville Kansas, Dr. Watson attended Kansas State University where he
earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in science in
secondary administration, staff supervision and staff development, building
level certification. Additionally, he received his doctorate of education in
secondary administration, school law, curriculum development and instructional
leadership, and district level certification.
The
recipient of many awards, Dr. Watson was named an Alumni Fellow at Kansas State
and in 2015, was honored by being named the Kansas Superintendent of the Year.
Throughout
his career, Dr. Watson has been sought out by schools, districts, education
organizations and others for his educational insights as well as his clear
thinking around the issues and challenges facing policymakers, educators and
students.
