Ryan Blasquez will serve as Executive Director of Instructional Services for Northwest Regional ESD beginning July 1. In his current role as Director of Instructional Services, he oversees a portfolio that includes Early Literacy, Oregon Response to Intervention & Instruction, Attendance Services, School Safety and Prevention, Social Emotional and Mental Health Services. He will replace John Peplinski who will step away in June 2026 after three years in the role.

Ryan began his career in public education as a special educator and behavior support teacher on special assignment in the Tigard-Tualatin School District. He later served in a variety of leadership roles, including elementary principal, associate director of student services, director of student services and district equity coordinator. In these roles, he oversaw K–12 special education programs, the implementation of MTSS, the Oregon RTI grant and several other critical initiatives that have strengthened instructional systems, galvanized learning communities and closed gaps for students.

“Ryan brings a deep and consistent commitment to ensuring that all students - and especially those who have been historically marginalized in traditional education settings - have access to rigorous, relevant and supportive learning experiences,” says Superintendent Dan Goldman. “In his years as a Director of Instruction at NWRESD, he has established strong relationships with our region’s educators as well as school district and state leaders.”

Prior to his work in Tigard-Tualatin, Ryan spent five years with the Oregon Department of Human Services as a case manager and treatment facility administrator. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Oregon and his master’s degree in education along with his initial administrator license from Portland State University. He completed his professional administrator license at Lewis & Clark College.