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SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced today that he has appointed Anthony Monreal, Ed.D., to serve as Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.

Monreal, 47, of Fresno has been Superintendent of the Selma Unified School District since 2003. He previously served as Superintendent of the Wasco Union High School District from 1999 to 2003.

"Dr. Monreal will bring important leadership and expertise in implementing effective instructional practices to the California Department of Education," O’Connell said. "He has a rich array of experience working in and with California public schools in the heart of our state’s Central Valley. I look forward to benefiting from his wisdom and guidance."

As Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Monreal will oversee seven divisions at the California Department of Education (CDE), including the School Improvement Division, the Special Education Division, and the Curriculum and Instructional Resources Division.

"I am truly honored and humbled to be invited to serve as the Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction by State Superintendent O’Connell," Monreal said. "By joining Superintendent O’Connell’s team, I commit myself to working to achieve his most worthy goal of closing the achievement gap for the children of California. In this age of accountability, we must find a way to ensure opportunities for success for all of California’s students.

"This will take ongoing, honest dialogue and courageous action on behalf of our children. It is a wonderful time to be involved at this level. I will share what I have learned from the field as an educational leader," Monreal said. "I will also strive to provide the leadership necessary at the Department of Education to implement a system that will enable our students to continuously improve their academic achievement. I believe that it can be done and that we working together can accomplish this urgent and necessary task. !Juntos Podemos!"

He will begin work at the CDE on April 1 and will serve as a visiting educator from the Fresno County Office of Education.

"The San Joaquin Valley and Fresno County are excited about the opportunity to have leadership at the CDE that can specifically address English Learner issues and curriculum and instruction needs that impact our local student population as well as students statewide," said Larry L. Powell, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. "Tony Monreal will be a tremendous asset to Superintendent O'Connell's leadership team."

Before becoming a district superintendent, Monreal was principal of Gonzales High School in Gonzales, CA from August to December 1999; principal of Dos Palos High School in Dos Palos, CA from 1997 to 1999; vice principal, principal, and site administrator at Caruthers Union Elementary School in Caruthers, CA from 1994 to 1997; assistant principal at Central High School in Fresno, CA; and, previously, a teacher at Tranquility High School in Tranquility, CA and at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, CA.

Monreal earned his doctoral degree in education in 2005 from the Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Indiana. He earned a master’s degree in educational counseling from National University, San Diego in 1991, and a master’s degree in divinity with an emphasis in Hispanic studies from Pontifical Collegium Josephinum in 1988. Monreal earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s Seminary College in 1983.

Monreal is a member of several community and statewide organizations, including the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, of which he is a past president.

Photo: Anthony Monreal, Ed.D. - Office of the Superintendent