State Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius has appointed three people with ties to Minneapolis schools to a statewide 35-member panel tasked with developing a new evaluation system for the state's teachers.

State legislators mandated the creation of the Teacher Evaluation Working Group as part of a teacher evaluation law during the 2011 special session. The working group members will develop an evaluation model to be used by school districts and teachers that don't agree on a local system.

The representatives with Minneapolis ties are: David Heistad, director of research, evaluation & assessment for the Minneapolis Public Schools; Louise Sundin, a retired city teacher who led the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers for 22 years; and Maggie Borman, a Teach for America corps member at Best Academy East, a K-8 charter school in north Minneapolis.

Members of the task force are listed below:

  • Beth Anderson, Secondary Music teacher; Esko Public Schools
  • Gwen Rosha Anderson, Elementary ELL teacher; Rocori Public Schools
  • Jay Anderson, High School Math teacher, Local President; Osseo Public Schools
  • Shawn Andress, Middle School Social Studies teacher; Park Rapids Public Schools
  • Jim Bartholomew, Education Policy Director, Minnesota Business Partnership
  • Dan Beck, Middle School Social Studies teacher, Local President; Roseville Public Schools
  • John Bellingham, Social Studies teacher; Board of Teaching member; Faribault Public Schools
  • Chithra Binoy, Parent, PTA; Wayzata Public Schools
  • Mary Bischoff, High School Media Specialist; Orono Public Schools
  • William Book, Elementary principal, Moundsview Public Schools
  • Laura Bordelon, Senior Vice President, Advocacy, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
  • Maggie Borman, 2nd Grade Teacher, Best Academy East, Minneapolis, Teach for America
  • Karrie Boser, High School principal, Pierz Public Schools
  • Peter Eckhoff, Middle School Classroom teacher; Robbinsdale Public Schools
  • Amy Galatz, Elementary principal, Deer River Public Schools
  • Sue Ann Gruver, Superintendent, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools
  • David Heistad, Director of Research, Evaluation & Assessment, Minneapolis Public Schools
  • Joseph Hill, Superintendent; Sartell Public Schools
  • Ann Hobbie, Parent, Parents United; St. Paul Public Schools
  • Lynda Ihlan, Life Sciences teacher; Farmington Public Schools
  • Randall Keillor, Student Performance Improvement Program Coordinator, St. Francis Public schools; retired teacher
  • Randi Kirchner, Education Minnesota Staff-Rochester
  • Lloyd Komatsu, Director of Assessment & Testing; Forest Lake Public Schools
  • Stephanie Larson , Elementary teacher; South Washington County Schools
  • Jackie Magnuson, Teacher in Northfield; School Board Chair, Rosemount-Apple Valley- Eagan
  • Mary Cathryn Ricker, MS English teacher; President, St. Paul Federation of Teachers
  • Curt Rock, Elementary teacher; Foley Public Schools
  • Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent of Schools; Spring Lake Park Public Schools
  • Jodi Sapp, School Board Member; Mankato Public Schools
  • Mistilina (Misty) Sato, Associate Professor Department of Curriculum & Instruction; Teacher Development; University of Minnesota
  • Louise Sundin, BOSA & MNSCU board member; Retired teacher/former Minneapolis Teacher President
  • D. John Sylvester , MSBA Staff; St Peter
  • Brenda Vatthauer, Middle School principal; Montevideo Public Schools
  • Neil Witikko, High School English teacher; Hermantown Public Schools

** Four ex officio members of the legislature will be named to represent the majority and minority caucuses of the Minnesota Senate and the House of Represetnatives.