WUSD selects Zucconi as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 19, 2024

WUSD selects Zucconi as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

PRESS RELEASE 

Windsor, Calif.—Windsor Unified School District (WUSD) is pleased to announce that Annette Zucconi, currently principal of Brooks Elementary School, will become the new Director of Curriculum/Instruction and Assessment, starting immediately after winter break, on Jan. 6. 

Her appointment was approved at the Dec. 19 meeting of the Windsor Unified School District Board of Trustees. Brooks’ current Dean of Students, Shannyn Vehmeyer, who brings a wealth of administrative and leadership experience to her role, will be stepping in as interim principal for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.

Zucconi started as a teacher at WUSD in 2002, and has worked at Windsor High School, Windsor Middle School, and Cali Calmécac Language Academy. She has been principal at Brooks since 2019. 

“This position represents the culmination of my career aspirations,” Zucconi said. “I am eager to contribute my expertise, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to curriculum, instruction, and assessment at the district level.”

Zucconi holds a Masters Degree in Education (Curriculum, Teaching and Learning) with an emphasis in Educational Technology. She holds a multi-subject teaching credential, an administrative services credential, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from CalPoly. She was also Director of Child Development for Old Adobe Union School District, and a program manager and supervising teacher for the Napa County Office of Education.

Zucconi has vast education experience, but she also pulls on her personal history to inform her work. 

“As the daughter of immigrants and someone who grew up in a multilingual home, I bring a deep understanding of the richness and challenges experienced by many of our students,” she said. “My personal experiences have fueled a lifelong commitment to fostering inclusion and equity in education. This perspective has shaped my leadership style and my dedication to ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction for all learners.”

While the role Zucconi is stepping into has a new title, it doesn’t represent a new position. Rather, it is a previous Director position — with new responsibilities and areas of focus. Zucconi has already been instrumental in helping WUSD revamp its educational model with a focus on professional learning communities, or PLCs. She has fully implemented the practice at her own campus, and was already working with other school sites on how to do the same. 

“When (Assistant Superintendent of Education Services) Brian Williams came to me with the idea of shifting responsibilities and titles in his department, it made a ton of sense,” said Superintendent Jeremy Decker. “Pretty quickly we realized that Annette was the person for this role. She has all the knowledge and her deep empathy and ability to connect with people always brings people to the table. There is no one better to help move our District forward.”

“Instructional leadership is my greatest passion,” Zucconi  said. “I firmly believe in creating learning environments where ALL educators and students feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.”

Zucconi lives in Santa Rosa with her husband of 32 years, and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her two daughters, large extended family, walking in nature, and napping. 

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