(Salem, OR) – Gov. Tina Kotek has announced the appointment of Rachael Moser as the new education adviser, filling the position left vacant six months ago by the previous adviser who assumed leadership of the state’s teacher licensing department.
Rachael Moser, aged 37, brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having previously served as a director at the Oregon Department of Education in the office of education, innovation, and improvement. This appointment marks the first addition to Kotek’s cabinet following the departure of four high-profile staff members over the last month. Moser is scheduled to commence her duties in the governor’s office on Monday, April 22, according to spokesperson Elisabeth Shepard.
In her new capacity, Moser will be responsible for coordinating efforts across state K-12 education agencies, with a specific focus on bolstering social and emotional support for students, revamping the state’s education funding formula, and integrating insights gleaned from the implementation of the Student Success Act. Notably, Moser played a pivotal role in overseeing the Student Success Act following its passage in 2019. The act allocates $2.35 billion biennially to schools, targeting areas such as student mental and behavioral health, class sizes, and academic disparities among students.
Moser’s professional journey includes joining the state education department in the fall of 2019 after serving in various school design and funding capacities for Boston Public Schools. Prior to that, she held positions as a program coordinator and assistant at organizations such as the National Education Association Foundation, an affiliate of the National Education Association, and a literacy organization based in Washington D.C. known as Everybody Wins.
Educationally, Moser holds a bachelor’s degree in religion, sociology, and anthropology from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, and a master’s degree in education policy and management from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as detailed in her resume.
