New director of curriculum and instruction for school district

The Sonoma Valley Unified School District announced on Friday the hiring of
Kathleen Biermann as the new Director of Curriculum and Instruction pending formal school board approval.

Biermann comes from Monterey County where she worked most recently as assistant superintendent in the area of curriculum and instruction. Biermann received her undergraduate and Masters Degree from UC Santa Barbara, her teaching credentials from California Lutheran College, and her administrative credentials from San Jose State University.

Biermann has served as classroom teacher, a special education teacher, site principal, and director. She has had district-level responsibility for a variety of programs, including Special Education, English Learner programs, GATE, professional development, and academic coaching.

Biermann has experience supporting districts and schools in Program Improvement. She has worked closely with staff, leadership, and District Assistance and Intervention Teams (DAIT) to implement improvement efforts. She has enjoyed her work with talented and committed teachers and administrators with the goal of increasing student achievement. Throughout her career, Biermann has found working to build the leadership capacity of teachers and instructional leaders a rewarding and enriching experience.

Biermann has an extensive background supporting English learner students and their families. Fluent in Spanish, she has developed strong partnerships with parent and community members, establishing district-wide Parent Institutes designed to increase parental involvement and leadership skills.

Biermann and her husband Tim have three children, of whom they are extremely proud. According to Sonoma Valley Unified School District Superintendent Louann Carlomagno, Biermann is excited to come to Sonoma after many years in Monterey County and is thrilled to join the administrative team at Sonoma Valley Unified School District. She looks forward to the opportunity to serve the district’s students and families.

Biermann will officially begin her new role in the district on July 1, 2010.