Superintendent Critchfield announces 3 new state department directors

Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield is welcoming a new director of special education, director of content and curriculum and a director of the Eastern Idaho regional support services.

Spencer Barzee will fill a new role in the State Department of Education as director of the Eastern Idaho regional support services. Throughout his 20 years in education, he has taught mathematics in middle school and has served as an elementary principal, high school principal and athletic director. He is now in his 11th year as superintendent of the West Side School District in Dayton, Idaho. He holds a
bachelor’s degree from BYU-Idaho, a master’s degree from the University of Idaho and a doctorate from Northwest Nazarene University.

Julie Mead replaces former special education director Charlie Silva, who retired in 2022. Mead is credited with bringing a passion for ensuring that students with disabilities have equitable access to high quality education. In her 12 years as an educator, Mead has served as a school psychologist and director of special services for the Caldwell School District. She also brings a background of work with Idaho Special Education Support and Technical Assistance (Idaho SESTA), where she served as director. She holds education specialist degrees in school psychology and education leadership/special education directorship from Idaho State University and Northwest Nazarene University, respectively. Her master’s degree is in human exceptionality from Idaho State University and she is currently enrolled in ISU’s doctoral program.

Meghan Wonderlich will serve as director of content and curriculum. She brings over 16 years of experience in education to the department and has a background in both instruction and administration. She served as a math teacher at Meridian’s Rocky Mountain High School, as assistant principal at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell and as principal of Caldwell’s Jefferson Middle School.