Governor Scott appoints Zoie Saunders as Secretary of the Agency of Education

Zoie Saunders Appointed as Vermont’s Education Secretary

Zoie Saunders, Vermont Secretary of the Agency of Education

Introduction

Governor Phil Scott has announced the appointment of Zoie Saunders as Vermont’s next education secretary. Saunders is an accomplished education leader with a strong focus on driving school improvement, increasing student outcomes, and closing service gaps. Her appointment aligns with Vermont’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education.

Background

Saunders currently serves as the chief strategy and innovation officer for Broward County Public Schools in Florida. In this role, she has successfully aligned resources, strengthened partnerships, and enhanced support services for over 200,000 students in 230 schools. Saunders has also led discussions with community stakeholders to develop goals and criteria for redefining the future of education in the county from an equity lens.

Appointment and Goals

Saunders will assume the role of education secretary on April 15. Governor Scott believes that Saunders’ exemplary resume, fresh perspective, and impactful experience as a public school leader will be invaluable in advancing Vermont’s education system. Saunders shares the governor’s vision of making public education a cradle-to-career pathway and is committed to collaborating with Vermonters to achieve the state’s education goals.

Experience and Achievements

Prior to her current role, Saunders served as the City of Fort Lauderdale’s first chief education officer, where she enhanced educational opportunities for 180,000 residents. She also worked as the vice president of strategy for Charter Schools USA, overseeing strategic planning and school improvement for 84 schools across seven states. Saunders has been recognized for her innovative approaches to education and workforce development.

Listening and Learning Tour

As the new education secretary, Saunders plans to spend her first 90 days on a “listening and learning” tour across Vermont. She believes that outcomes should be the guiding “North star” of education and will advocate for policies that prepare students for success in school and life. Saunders’ appointment reflects Vermont’s commitment to SDG 4: Quality Education.

Salary and Transition

Saunders’ salary as Vermont’s education secretary will be approximately $168,000. She will replace Interim Secretary Heather Bouchey, who will assist with the leadership transition and serve as deputy secretary. Governor Scott expressed his gratitude to Bouchey for her tremendous work and commitment to the state’s students, educators, and communities.

Vitae

Experience

1. 

   Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer

   Broward County Public Schools

   Jan 2024 – Present · 3 months

   Miami-Fort Lauderdale Area

2. 

   Chief Education Officer

   City of Fort Lauderdale · Full-time

   Apr 2019 – Jan 2024 · 4 years 10 months

   Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area

   • Launched and led a new government office to expand learning opportunities for 180,000 residents. Recognized for innovation in education and workforce development by various organizations.
3. 

   Charter Schools USA

   6 years 7 months

   • Vice President of Strategy

     Sep 2016 – Apr 2019 · 2 years 8 months

     Ft. Lauderdale, FL

     • Led corporate strategy for Charter Schools USA, overseeing system-wide accreditation, performance analysis, school improvement, and strategic resource allocation.

   • Director of Strategy

     Sep 2015 – Sep 2016 · 1 year 1 month

     Ft. Lauderdale, FL

     SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

     SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:

     1. SDG 4: Quality Education
     2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
     3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
     4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
     5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

     Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content:

     • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
     • Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations.
     • Target 4.c: By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing states.
     • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
     • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
     • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
     • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

     Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:

     • Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in Grade 2 or 3; (b) at the end of primary education; and (c) at the end of lower secondary education achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
     • Indicator 4.5.1: Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile, and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples, and conflict-affected, as data become available) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated.
     • Indicator 4.c.1: Proportion of teachers in (a) pre-primary; (b) primary; (c) lower secondary; and (d) upper secondary education who have received at least the minimum organized teacher training (e.g., pedagogical training) pre-service or in-service required for teaching at the relevant level in a given country.
     • Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliaments and (b) local governments.
     • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
     • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
     • Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries that adopt and implement investment promotion regimes for least developed countries.

     Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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     Source: vermontbiz.com

      

     

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     SDGs	Targets	Indicators
     SDG 4: Quality Education	Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.	Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in Grade 2 or 3; (b) at the end of primary education; and (c) at the end of lower secondary education achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
     SDG 5: Gender Equality	Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations.	Indicator 4.5.1: Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile, and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples, and conflict-affected, as data become available) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated.
     	Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.	Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliaments and (b) local governments.
     SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.	Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
     SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.	Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
     SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals