In a move signaling a shift in Nevada’s education leadership, Governor Joe Lombardo has named Dr. Victor Wakefield as the state’s new Superintendent of Public Instruction—a role previously filled by Jhone Ebert who now serves as Clark County School District's superintendent. "Victor is the right leader at the right time for Nevada’s public education system," Lombardo said, according to News 3 LV, also noting Wakefield's unanimous backing by the State Board of Education as a testament to his credentials and dedication to educational excellence.
Dr. Wakefield, who began his educational journey teaching English at a middle school in Gary, Indiana, expanded his influence through significant tenures at Teach For America (TFA), where he not only recruited leaders but also spearheaded training for new educators in Clark County, and later served as the National Vice President for Regions, during which he managed TFA’s pandemic response and emphasized the transformative potential of educational leadership. His experience is expected to foster new growth in public instruction across Nevada. His influence also extended through his service on Nevada’s State Board of Education and as a Senior Fellow at the Kenny Guinn Center, with his academic achievements culminating in a Doctor of Education from Johns Hopkins University in 2020, as documented by a statement obtained by News 3 LV.
Proclaiming the current period as a "generational moment for public education in Nevada with historic investments and bipartisan reforms," Dr. Wakefield expressed his eagerness to foster Governor Lombardo’s vision for Nevada’s students, preparing them for a workforce-strengthened society, directly quoted in his statement to KTNV. CCSD Superintendent Jhone Ebert extended her congratulations to Dr. Wakefield, stating, "I look forward to collaborating with him to lift up all students. Working together, I am confident we can keep the momentum moving in the right direction for Nevada students and educators," in remarks also reported by KTNV.
Dr. Wakefield is expected to step into his new role on October 27, bringing with him not only a comprehensive background in educational instruction and policy but also a history of collaborative efforts, which those in his circle—like State Board of Education President Dr. Katie Dockweiler—believe will ignite critical discourse and actions toward enhancing student success and improvement across the state.
