About the Director

The Department Director is appointed by the Governor to serve a four-year term, subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate. The Director's role is to provide leadership for the Department as it carries out the policies and programs prescribed by state law and the State Board; and to ensure Department personnel are providing the necessary oversight and support for all schools, educators and students to meet their academic goals. The Department Director also serves as the executive officer of the State Board of Education, a nonvoting role.

Judy Jeffrey was appointed director of the Iowa Department of Education in November 2004. In this role, she provides leadership and supervision for an educational system that includes 515,000 students in public and private accredited K -12 schools; 126,000 credit students in 15 community colleges; and 3,000 employees in 10 area education agencies.

Before serving as director, Judy Jeffrey had been the state's Early Childhood, Elementary & Secondary Division administrator since 1996. Before that, she served 24 years in the Council Bluffs Community School district in various administrative and classroom teaching positions. Jeffrey also has been an instructor at Creighton University, and has taught in other Iowa districts including Cedar Falls and Goldfield, where she began her teaching career in 1964.

She was president of the Council of Chief State School Officers Deputy Commission from 2001-2003, co-chaired the CCSSO Task Force on Math and Science Education, and serves on the ESEA Reauthorization Task Force and other various committees. She is also representing CCSSO on the Science and Mathematics Imperative Commission.

Jeffrey earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa and her master's degree from Creighton University.

See the Director's Speeches and Presentations

For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Administrative Assistant, 515-281-3436.