Jan. 24, 2003 – Gov. Charles Turnbull has named University of the Virgin Islands professor Rita Howard assistant Education commissioner.
Howard has spent the last 20 years as a faculty member in the Education Division at UVI. Before that, she taught at Pearl B. Larsen School on St. Croix and E. Benjamin Oliver and Gramboko Schools on St. Thomas.
A graduate of St. Croix Central High School, Howard received her bachelor of arts in elementary education from the then-College of the Virgin Islands in 1973. She received a master's degree in early childhood education from UVI in 1980, and her doctorate in education from the University of Miami.
Noreen Michael was assistant Education commissioner until she was named acting commissioner last May after the governor fired her then-boss, Ruby Simmonds. Michael was confirmed by the Legislature as Education commissioner on Dec. 23.
Turnbull made Howard's appointment on Tuesday. It does not require confirmation by the Legislature.
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