Annette Bridges

Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Education

Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Annette Bridges serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Education.

Annette holds a BA from Kentucky State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Spalding University in Kentucky.  Bridges holds a teacher certification for grades 1-8 and is currently a doctoral candidate (EdD) at the University of Louisville. Her study is about child and school readiness.

Bridges brings more than 30 years of early childhood experience to the Assistant Superintendent position. For 16 years, she worked at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), serving in several roles:  Primary School Consultant; State Coordinator of the Even Start Family Literacy Program, Early Childhood Branch Manager, and Director of the Early Childhood Development Division. At KDE, Annette created the Great by 8 Initiative, an initiative aimed at improving programs and services for children ages zero to eight and their families. She also provided oversight to budgets totaling over $110 million.

Bridges’ professional experience displays her passion for young, at-risk, and underachieving children.  Prior to her work with the Kentucky Department of Education, Annette served as an Infant and Toddler teacher and as a Head Start Parent Involvement and Volunteer Coordinator for the Head Start Program where she communicated the importance of parental and family engagement in student achievement. Within these positions, Annette additionally stressed the importance of high-quality early learning environments and the connection between school readiness and college and career readiness. 

Annette is active within her community and has served in various education capacities at the Gethsemane 1^st Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Bridges served as a Vacation Bible School Coordinator, a Preschool and Primary Sunday School teacher, and as the Superintendent of Youth Sunday Bible Study.

Throughout her career, Bridges has received numerous awards and honors. In Kentucky, she was selected as the chair of the Early Childhood Development Authority and was the recipient of the Kentucky Family Literacy Leadership Award.  As an educator, Bridges was named an Outstanding Adult Education Teacher by Jefferson County Public Schools and listed among Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Annette is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Annette resides in DC with her husband Dwain and their two children, Jasmine and Damon.