Bryan Introduces Nominee to Lead Education

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. held a press conference Wednesday to introduce his nominee to lead the Education Department as its new commissioner. Bryan named a veteran educator and administrator to replace former Education Commissioner Racquel Berry-Benjamin, who resigned at the end of June.

Wednesday’s announcement about the nomination of Dionne Wells-Hedrington comes five days before the official start of the 2022-23 school year on Monday. The first full year of in-person classroom instruction since the start of the pandemic is expected for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

According to a statement from Government House, Wells-Hedrington has served as the department’s chief operations officer. She has been on the job for 29 years as a teacher, principal and as interim, and later as insular superintendent for the St. Thomas-St. John district.

Wells-Hedrington thanked Bryan and also thanked the men and women of the Education Department for their hard work and dedication. If confirmed by the Legislature, the nominee promised to serve honestly and candidly.