Dr. Jason Plourde is the current Chief Administrator at Green Hills Area Education Agency (GHAEA), an educational service agency, where he leads all agency services and supports to over 43 districts, with almost 38,000 students. Previously, Plourde served as the GHAEA Executive Director of Universal Services and Supports, where he led and supported all curriculum and instruction areas, including professional learning, school improvement, career & technical education, and multiple core consulting services. Dr. Plourde has dedicated 28 years to public education in southwest Iowa, receiving several noteworthy professional honors and accomplishments throughout his tenure. His local education agency (LEA) leadership roles include serving as a former Director of Secondary Schools, building administrator for elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as math-science, talented & gifted, and special education teacher and paraeducator in Council Bluffs Community Schools in western Iowa. Prior to Council Bluffs Schools, Dr. Plourde was a special education teacher with Loess Hills AEA 13 in a specialized program for students with behavioral challenges.
Dr. Plourde is an alumnus of the University of Nebraska of Omaha and Creighton University earning a degree in K-8 education with an emphasis in special education and advanced degrees in PreK-12 Educational Administration, Leadership, and Management. Over his career, Dr. Plourde has been honored with multiple awards, including The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award Recipient for Iowa (2008) and the Promising Professional Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Nebraska at Omaha (2010).
A top leadership goal continually promoted by Dr. Plourde is to ensure Green Hills AEA creates and nurtures a positive staff culture with high-functioning teams who deliver unparalleled services, support, and advocacy on behalf of each child.
