Saginaw ISD - Serve - Innovate - Empower

Heather Phelps has been promoted to serve as Director of Instructional Services for Saginaw Intermediate School District (SISD). The Saginaw ISD Board of Education took action to approve the move, effective immediately, at their regularly scheduled meeting held on Wednesday, January 14, 2021. Mrs. Phelps began her career with the Saginaw ISD in 2016 and had previously served as the Assistant Director of Instructional Services for over two years.

In her new role as Director, Mrs. Phelps will help create and guide the vision, goals, direction, and leadership for the Instructional Services Department at Saginaw ISD, along with facilitating the collaboration of all instructional services and K-12 curriculum for local education agencies and schools throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD’s Instructional Services Department supports curricular, instructional, program, and resource needs of students, staff, and families throughout the county.

Mrs. Phelps began her professional education career as an English Language Arts (ELA) and Science middle school teacher at Bay County Public School Academy in 2006, and later served as a Kindergarten Teacher for several years at Ithaca Public Schools. Mrs. Phelps transitioned into an instructional leadership role at West Branch-Rose City Schools to follow her passion of supporting teachers as an Instructional Coach. Prior to joining the Saginaw ISD in 2016, she was a Curriculum Supervisor and Instructional Coach for Bangor Township Schools.

Mrs. Phelps received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University and a Masters of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Heather is a member of the General Education Leadership Network (GELN), Continuity of Learning Task Force, Early Literacy Task Force, and Chair of the ISD ELA Statewide Network. Heather is also a co-author of several GELN Early Literacy and Coaching Practices modules, a facilitator of Michigan Coaching Intensives, and highly involved in supporting the newly launched Michigan Learning Channel. Additionally, Mrs. Phelps provided leadership and guidance at both the local and state level regarding early literacy initiatives and the Read by Grade Three law.

Superintendent Jeffrey Collier stated, “Mrs. Phelps is a respected educator and focused servant leader. Her experience and leadership in literacy, school improvement, instructional coaching, and curriculum planning provide local districts with essential resources and professional expertise as they interpret research, navigate curriculum designs, and implement instructional best practices. She played a key leadership role in both supporting and developing continuity of learning plans for Saginaw County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic helping districts to adapt and better transition to remote learning. Heather embodies our core values of serving, innovating, and empowering while championing the successes of all students and educators throughout our community.”