Dr. Traci Pierce is a skilled educational leader with 17 years of experience in public education. Pierce serves as Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services for Lake Washington School District. She leads the district’s strategic efforts to make Every Student Future Ready, which is the district’s vision. Her strategy involves a focus on effective teaching, standards-based assessing and reporting systems, and continuous improvement efforts focused on results.
Dr. Pierce has developed and implemented strategies to support building principals in recognizing and fostering effective teaching. She coordinates and monitors the district’s teacher professional growth and evaluation system. These efforts ensure that every classroom has proficient and distinguished teachers.
Dr. Pierce is now leading the district’s shift to grades K-5 elementary schools, 6-8 middle schools and 9-12 high schools. These efforts have resulted in the development of a middle school philosophy and academic program specifically designed to help students transition from elementary to high school. Updated high school credit-based graduation requirements, beginning with the class of 2016, are another result.
Dr. Pierce began her career in the Lake Washington School District in 1994. She taught Language Arts/Social Studies and Leadership at Inglewood Junior High. After six years in the classroom, she served as assistant principal at Inglewood for two years. She was promoted to Inglewood principal, serving in that role for two years. Dr. Pierce was next promoted to central office administration, where she served first as the district’s Coordinator of Instructional Technology and then as Director of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Pierce was named Chief Schools Officer in July 2007. She has served as Deputy Superintendent, Instructional Services, since July 2010.
Dr. Pierce is a graduate of the University of Washington, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She also earned her Washington State teaching certificate at UW, with endorsements in English and History. She earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Washington State principal certification at City University. In 2009, she earned her Washington State superintendent’s credential and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington.