Superintendent
Dawn Tarzian
Dawn Tarzian has been superintendent of the Corvallis School District since July, 2005. She first joined the district in August, 2001 and served two years as the district’s teaching and learning director and one year as assistant superintendent before assuming her current position.
Prior to coming to Corvallis, Dawn was hired to develop a new Student Service Learning department for the Linn Benton Lincoln Education Service District. Dawn has also served as a principal in both the Greater Albany Public School District and the Falls City School District.
Dawn began her career in education in 1978 as an elementary school teacher with the Eagle Point School District. She also taught for the Eugene 4J School District. While working on her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of Oregon, she supervised U of O student teachers placed in the Springfield and Eugene school districts.Dawn attended Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, Ill. and received her bachelor’s degree through the University of California, Santa Barbara in developmental psychology.
A former colleague was quoted as saying, “Dawn is a visionary education leader who is firm yet caring and considerate of students, staff, and parents. The work she has done to create a challenging, yet safe school climate to complement the extremely high academic standards is an unparalleled accomplishment.”
When she is not taking care of district business, Dawn enjoys camping and canoeing with her family. She lives in a 1919 farmhouse and also enjoys reading and gardening.
Dawn’s husband, Peter, is the Superintendent of Schools in Falls City. Dawn and Peter have three grown children. Aaron is a graduate of Western Oregon University and is an elementary school principal in Martinez, Calif. Sarah is a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in archeology/anthropology and has completed the OSU double degree program with a teaching certificate in secondary social studies. Stephanie graduated with a psychology degree from Southern Oregon University.
- School Levy: A Thank You Message from the Superintendent
- Corvallis Community Vision for Education
- Diversity and Inclusion Study
- Strategic Work Focus
