Willa Spicer, executive director of the New Jersey Performance Assessment Alliance, has been named as the state’s new deputy education commissioner. She will replace Isaac Bryant, who is retiring.

Spicer is one of the state’s leading authorities on assessment and has served as a regular speaker and participant in NJSBA programs, including its annual Workshop and its New Board Member Orientation, for more than 20 years. She holds a master’s in education from Harvard University and has more than 50 years experience in education.

The South Brunswick resident has served as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Middlesex County school district. She also has been an instructor at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. She is a former high school and elementary school principal, and served as a member and president of the Lawrence Township Board of Education in Mercer County.

Spicer will make a presentation at NJSBA’s March 31 program, “Focusing the Board on Student Achievement.” (See article, page 3.)