Tricia Willoughby is State Superintendent of Public Instruction. She was appointed to this position by Gov. Mike Easley upon the retirement of Mike Ward. She will serve from Sept. 1, 2004 until the new State Superintendent is sworn in following the November 2004 election.
Mrs. Willoughby's past experience as a classroom teacher and as a faculty member in the School of Education at Meredith College were two of the reasons Gov. Easley indicated that he selected her for this position. She had served on the State Board of Education since July 2001.
Mrs. Willoughby attended public schools in North Carolina, graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1973 and received a M. Ed. from Meredith College in 1990 specializing in reading instruction. Spending time in classrooms has been an important part of her continued professional development.
As a member of Phi Delta Kappa and the International Reading Association, she continues to value lifelong learning as an important goal for everyone. Mrs. Willoughby has been involved in many community volunteer projects including Motheread, PTA, and church activities.
