Education department shifts employees

Jeannette Nobo has been named director of professional learning communities at the Kansas Department of Education.

She has been with the department since 1986, serving as assistant director of school improvement and accreditation since 1993.

Sarah Thomas has been named director of improvement and support in the new division.

The positions are two of three directors reporting to the deputy commissioner for school innovations, Larry Englebrick.

Thomas, who joined the department in 2005, has 18 years of teaching experience, has expertise in curriculum development and has participated in developing state reading and math assessments.

In June, the department was reorganized to include a division for school innovations.