With over 20 years of experience in education, Valerie Hurm has been hired as the Neenah Joint School District Director of Pupil Services and Special Education.
Hurm was most recently the Special Programs Director at Johnson County School District #1 in Buffalo, Wyoming for the past four years. She spent her first 12 years as a Special Education and secondary English teacher in the Campbell County School District in Gillette, Wyoming. Hurm began her career in administration as a Principal and Special Education Director at Northeast Wyoming Board of Cooperative Educational Services for three years before returning to Campbell County as the Principal of K-8 Recluse school and as the Associate Principal of Thunder Basin High School.
Hurm has a bachelor's degree in English, Secondary Education and K-12 Special Education from the University of Wyoming and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati. She is currently working toward an Ed D. in Educational Leadership from Northcentral/National University. Her experience both in regular education, special education, mental health and out-of-district placement has led to her passion for professional development, thinking outside of the box and for building/growing programs that meet the needs of all students.
Hurm replaces Stephanie Phernetton, who resigned following the 2023-24 school year.