The Idaho Education Association has selected career educator and longtime staff member Sue Wigdorski to serve as its new executive director, effective immediately.

Wigdorski has been serving as interim executive director since January, and had been the IEA’s associate executive director since 2010. IEA President Penni Cyr made the announcement Tuesday, after a national search.

“Sue has all of the qualities and experience that the IEA board of directors was looking for in the next IEA executive director,” Cyr said. “She sees possibilities in everything, models positivity and enthusiasm and doesn’t believe in failure because everything is a learning opportunity.”

Wigdorski first joined the IEA staff in 1995 as director of school innovation, and served as Treasure Valley regional director from 2000 until her promotion to associate executive director in 2010. She taught English and worked with at-risk students at Nampa High School from 1988 to 1993. Wigdorski has her bachelor’s degree from Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., and will receive her master’s degree in adult organizational learning and leadership from the University of Idaho this spring.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to continuing my work with our amazing members and the terrific IEA staff,” Wigdorski said. “Public education is very important to me, and I will always advocate for students, teachers and public schools. They are the foundation of everything that our society and our future generations can achieve.”

The IEA’s executive director oversees staff, and works with the IEA president and board to implement policy as determined by membership. Wigdorski replaces Robin Nettinga, who retired in December.