ESEA Timeline

ALTERNATE - Kathryn Nichol (NH)

Jessie Murray Bio

Jessie Murray is the Title I Director with the Vermont Agency of Education. She has held this role for 3 years after spending nearly a decade working in higher education. With a Bachelor of Arts in global studies and a Master of Public Administration, she is passionate about the role of public education in the social and economic development of communities. Jessie enjoys teaching Vermont’s school districts about the intricacies of ESEA and supporting them to implement their grant programs effectively. She personally finds fulfillment by building relationships with administrators in Vermont and across the nation to learn from each other, share resources and ultimately support those doing the important work of educating the next generation.

Although originally a Michigander, Jessie fell in love with the community spirit and the natural beauty of Vermont and is proud to call the state home. She spends her free time with her husband and dog, enjoying the outdoors and exploring the local bakery scene.

ALTERNATE - Leslie Bloss (SC) 

Bernell Cook Bio

Bernell Cook is the Director of the Division of Federal Programs, in the Office of Fiscal Operations and Federal Support at the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE). With an extensive and robust career in education, he has been with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) for approximately seventeen years.

In his current leadership position, he facilitates the effective implementation of several federal programs: Title I, Part A, Title II, Part A, Title IV, Part B under ESSA. As Director, these responsibilities also include supporting the LDE’s design, training, and approval process of new Super Application. He also is responsible for the coordination and data validation of the Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR) submission to the USDOE.

Bernell currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Title I Directors as treasurer. He has a Master’s degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Southern University, A & M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Via alternative certification, he achieved NCLB’s Highly Qualified status in Secondary Mathematics (2007). A former middle and high school mathematics and science teacher, he also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. Bernell resides in Louisiana’s capital, and enjoys spending precious time with his wife and daughter Samiah Grace.

ALTERNATE - Alicia Waeffler (MN)

Ruth Swanson Bio

2024 is Ruth Swanson’s 35th year in education. Throughout that time, she worked at all levels of the educational system. Ruth’s interest in continuous improvement started when she was an elementary classroom teacher, and that led to a position of School Improvement Facilitator at the school level. Ruth coordinated district programs as an Intervention Specialist and a School Improvement Coordinator. Ruth had the opportunity to support higher education as an adjunct professor and research project staff member. Ruth has been a Program Consultant at the state level in Kansas and Kentucky, and she is currently a Program Manager in the Office of Continuous Improvement and Support at the Kentucky Department of Education.

ALTERNATE - Rickey Santellana (TX)

Dottie Heusman Bio

Dottie Heusman is the Assistant Administrator for Federal Programs and the Title I Director for the State of Nebraska. Her professional experiences include a variety of work within school districts and the Department of Education. She has served in the capacity of elementary teacher, curriculum director, elementary principal, and superintendent in school districts in the state. At the Department of Education, she has worked in the Office of Statewide Assessment (20+ years ago) and now in her current role for the last five years. She has been actively involved in NAESPA since she started in her current role. This organization has helped her to grow in her professional knowledge as well as to collaborate with colleagues from many states.  On a personal note, she has been married for 35 years to husband Kevin. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law and one adorable old grandson, Kreed. 

ALTERNATE - Sylvia Hanna (CA)

Heidi Schultz Bio

Heidi Schultz serves as the Lead Program Supervisor for the Nita M. Lowey, 21st Century Community Learning Center Program (CCLC) at the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), bringing nine years of dedicated management to the program. Her responsibilities include overseeing the competitive grant process, program reviews for subrecipients, and leading technical assistance and program quality improvement initiatives. Heidi's career at OSPI has spanned roles in Career and Technical Education, Student Support, and currently the Elementary, Early Learning, and Federal Programs division. In 2021, she took on the additional responsibility of managing COVID-19 relief funding to support the 21st CCLC programs. Heidi holds an ESA certificate in school counseling and has a diverse educational background in Social Work, Education, and Counseling. She is also a member of NAESPA, renewing her membership for the second year.