Jennifer Klauss To Lead RSD Teaching, Learning & Curriculum

A veteran RSD educator and administrator will take the reins of the district’s curriculum and instructional efforts at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.

Jennifer Klauss, currently principal of Enterprise Middle School, will become Executive Director of Teaching, Learning & Curriculum beginning in July 2022. She replaces Nicki Blake, who will become principal of Elementary #11 when it opens to its own school community in August 2022.

District leaders say Klauss’ track record of leadership and collaboration make her an ideal choice to lead the department and ensure that students receive instruction and have curriculum that will best prepare them for their futures.

“She truly seeks to be a partner with everyone she works with,” says Superintendent Dr. Shelley Redinger. “Her mindset is crucial for a role that involves working with staff, families and community members on how best to teach and engage students.”

Mrs. Klauss started her educational career at Southridge High School in Kennewick School District in the 1999-2000 school year. She arrived in RSD to teach science at what was then Hanford Middle & High School in the 2003-04 school year before moving to Enterprise Middle School when it opened in 2005. She earned an administrative credential and served as dean of students at Carmichael Middle School, assistant principal at Hanford High School, and then assistant principal at Carmichael Middle School before returning to Enterprise in 2011 to be its principal.

Mrs. Klauss has served on numerous curriculum committees and is currently a member of the district Mental Health Assistance Team (MHAT) and social-emotional learning curriculum committee. She implemented several student success programs at Enterprise, including AVID, Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS) and Character Strong. Enterprise has earned recognition for student success and school culture throughout her tenure, including an Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) Washington Achievement Award in 2014 and the Whole Child Award from the Washington state Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (ASCD) and Class Act Award from international charitable organization Random Acts, both in 2018.

“I am so excited for this new challenge, this opportunity to be part of efforts to find and provide staff and students the best tools and resources for the classroom,” Klauss says.

Mrs. Klauss holds bachelor’s degrees in Natural Science and Secondary Education from Lewis-Clark State College and a masters in Educational Leadership from Washington State (WSU) Tri-Cities. She will finish the 2021-22 school year at Enterprise while the district begins the hiring process for her replacement.