Superintendent Luna Announces Students Come First Technology Task Force

 Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today the 38-member Students Come First Technology Task Force that will help implement the unprecedented investments in classroom technology that are part of Idaho’s education reform laws.

Under Senate Bill 1184, the Superintendent of Public Instruction will chair a task force to help in implementing the technology components of the Students Come First law.  Specifically, this task force will study and develop plans for the one-to-one ratio of mobile computing devices in high schools. Once the State Board of Education determines the number of online courses to graduate, the task force also will develop implementation plans for the requirement, in addition to the necessary professional development for teachers and other topics determined by the task force chairman.

“This task force will play a critical role in implementing key components of the Students Come First laws and creating the 21st Century Classroom for every Idaho student, no matter where they live. I’m confident in the group we have put together,” Superintendent Luna said. “Through this task force, we have pulled together individuals from education, technology, and the business community to work together in making this implementation successful for every child.”

Under the law, the task force had to be made up of at least 28 members, 17 of which the State Superintendent appointed and 11 of which were appointed by educational stakeholder groups, the Idaho Legislature and the Office of the Governor. Superintendent Luna expanded the task force to 38 members to include parents, school board trustees, and more classroom teachers.

Now, 12 educators will be serving on the task force, including four current classroom teachers. Teachers include: Idaho’s 2011 Teacher of the Year Stefani Cook, a business teacher at Rigby High School, and 2009 Milken Educator of the Year Aaron McKinnon, a science teacher at South Junior High in Boise.

The task force also includes the House and Senate Education Committee Chairmen, Democrat Rep. Wendy Jaquet, Superintendent Linda Clark of Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian), and Bonneville School District Trustee Wendy Horman, among others.

The first task force meeting will be held June 13-14, 2011 in the Auditorium room at the Idaho Statehouse. It will be open to the public.  The task force will meet throughout the year.

The following is a list of the members of the Students Come First Technology Task Force. Biographies on each member are attached.

• District Superintendent: Andy Grover, Melba School District    
• District Superintendent: Alan Dunn, Sugar-Salem School District    
• District Superintendent: Linda Clark, Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian)    
• District Superintendent: Colby Gull, Challis School District    
• District Technology Director: Christopher Campbell, Genesee School District    
• District Technology Director: Keven Denton, Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian)    
• Secondary Principal: Bicker Therien, New Plymouth High School    
• Secondary Principal: Spencer Barzee, West Side School District    
• Business Manager: Jenn Johnson, Moscow School District    
• Head of Virtual School: Desiree Laughlin, Idaho Virtual Academy    
• Head of Secondary Charter School: Alan Millar, Sandpoint Charter School    
• Secondary Teacher: Salvatore Lorenzen, Post Falls High School    
• Secondary Teacher: Stefani Cook, Rigby High School    
• Private Education Sector: Eileen Lento, Intel    
• Business Community: Gary Smith, Board member of ESTech    
• Business Community: Jayson Ronk, Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry    
• Business Community: Michael Fornander, Data Projections Inc.    
• Parent: Maria Nate, Rexburg    
• Parent: Mary Vollmer, Aberdeen    
• School Board Trustee: Debbie Critchfield, Cassia County School District    
• School Board Trustee: Wendy Horman, Bonneville School District    
• School Board Trustee: Melinda Smyser, Parma School District    
• At-Large: Marne Curtis, Teacher, Gooding Elementary School    
• At-Large: Aaron McKinnon, Teacher, South Junior High School, Boise    
• At-Large: Cliff Green, Insight Schools    
• At-Large: Rep. Wendy Jaquet, House of Representatives    
• At-Large: Heidi Rogers, Executive Director, Northwest Council for Computer Education    
• Idaho Education Association: Sherri Wood, President, Idaho Education Association    
• Northwest Professional Educators: Brad Patzer, Member    
• Idaho Association of School Administrators: George Boland, Superintendent, Idaho Falls School District   
• Idaho School Boards Association: Brian Duncan, Trustee, Minidoka County School District    
• Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence: Brent Lloyd, President and CEO, Futura Corporation    
• Idaho Digital Learning Academy: Mike Caldwell, Director of Academics, Idaho Digital Learning Academy
• Idaho House of Representatives: Rep. Bob Nonini, Chair, House Education Committee, R-Coeur d’Alene    
• Idaho House of Representatives: Rep. Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle    
• Idaho Senate: Sen. John Goedde, Chair, Senate Education Committee, R-Coeur d’Alene    
• Idaho Senate: Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise    
• Office of the Governor: Christine Donnell, former educator and district superintendent

Here is more information about each member of the Students Come First Technology Task Force:


Andy Grover is the superintendent of the Melba School District and a former principal, technology director, special education director, and social studies teacher.   Melba High School has gone from three students taking online courses three years ago to 109 online classes this year.  Grover also serves on the Idaho Human Rights Education Committee and traveled to Jordan as a delegate to the Idaho Human Rights Council in 2009.  He holds an Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Idaho.

Alan Dunn is the superintendent of the Sugar-Salem School District and a former principal and teacher.  Sugar-Salem led the state with an online learning graduation requirement, and in the upcoming school year, nearly two-thirds of their high school students will be enrolled in an online or Idaho Education Network (IEN) class.  Dunn holds an Education Specialist Degree from Idaho State University.

Linda Clark is the superintendent of Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian) and a former principal, curriculum director, and teacher.  Clark recently received the Northwest Council for Computer Education’s Outstanding Technology Leader of the Year Award and holds an Ed.D. in Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco.

Colby Gull is the superintendent of the Challis School District and a former principal and special education teacher.  The Challis School District has begun integrating a variety of instructional technology in its classrooms all the way from preschool through high school. Gull is working on an Ed.D. in School Administration from Idaho State University.

Christopher Campbell is the technology director in the Genesee School District and a member of the Idaho Education Technology Association.  He holds a degree in Computer Information Systems from Andrews University as well as multiple certifications.

Keven Denton is the technology director in Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian). Denton has a Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis in Educational Technology from Boise State University as well as multiple certifications.

Bicker Therien is the principal of New Plymouth High School in the New Plymouth School District.  Therien was formerly the director of Idaho Digital Learning Academy and an alternative school teacher.  He holds a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Idaho.

Spencer Barzee is the principal at West Side High School in the West Side School District.  West Side High School is a leader in the state in dual credit.  Nearly 90% of their students graduated from high school last year having earned college credit.  Barzee holds an Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Idaho.

Jennifer Johnson is the finance specialist in the Moscow School District and president of the Idaho Association of School Business Officials.  Johnson holds a degree in Business Education from the University of Idaho.

Desiree Laughlin is the head of Idaho Virtual Academy and a former teacher and administrator.  Laughlin holds a Master of Education Administration Degree from Idaho State University.

Alan Millar is the principal of Sandpoint Charter School and a former teacher.  Millar holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.

Stefani Cook is a business education teacher at Rigby High School in the Jefferson County School District and the 2011 Idaho Teacher of the Year.  She holds a Masters of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Idaho State University.


Salvatore Lorenzen is a technology teacher at Post Falls High School in the Post Falls School District and a 2009 Giants Award recipient.  Lorenzen also serves as a FIRST Robotics coach.  He holds an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Idaho.

Eileen Lento is a K-12 Strategist for Intel Corporation.  She also serves as a board member for the International Society for Technology in Education.

Gary Smith is a board member for the Eagle/Emmett/Star Tech Corridor (ESTech) and on the Boise Valley Economic Working Group (BVEP).  He also serves as a Star City Council Member.

Jayson Ronk is the vice-president of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (IACI), which represents hundreds of businesses across the state.  Ronk holds a degree Political Science from Idaho State University.

Michael Fornander is the region vice-president of Data Projection, Inc., a telecommunications and audio/visual design and engineering firm.  He is also a former elementary school teacher with a Masters Degree in Educational Technology from Boise State University.

Maria Nate is a parent in Rexburg and a former school board trustee.  Over the past decade, Nate has served on numerous state and district level education committees and was recognized by her local community for her hard work in the successful passage of two school bonds.  Nate studied Communications at the University of Utah.

Mary Vollmer is a parent and a registrar at American Falls High School in the American Falls School District.

Debbie Critchfield is the Cassia County School Board Chairman.  She has served on the school board for the last 10 years and was a member of the Idaho School Boards Association Executive Board.  She holds a Political Science Degree from Brigham Young University.

Melinda Smyser is a school board member in the Parma School District where she has served for 13 years.  She is also an educator and counselor of over 25 years.  Smyser is a current state senator.  She holds a Masters Degree in Education from the College of Idaho.

Wendy Horman is a school board member in the Bonneville School District.  She is a mother of five and the former president of the Idaho School Boards Association.

Heidi Rogers is the executive director of the Northwest Council for Computer Education and past president of the International Society for Technology in Education.  She holds a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University.

Cliff Green is the regional vice president for Insight Schools and a former district technology coordinator and business education teacher.  Green previously chaired the Boise State University College of Education Advancement Committee and was the gubernatorial appointment to the Idaho Council for Technology in Learning.  He holds a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Boise State University.

Marne Curtis is a fourth grade teacher at Gooding Elementary School in the Gooding School District.  She recently received her Masters of Educational Technology from Boise State University.

Aaron McKinnon is a physical science teacher at South Junior High in the Boise School District and online for Idaho Digital Learning Academy.  McKinnon also serves as the technology coordinator at his school.  He is the 2009 Milken Idaho Educator of the Year and holds a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Boise State University.

Wendy Jaquet is an Idaho State Representative from Ketchum.  She serves on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and the IEN Program Advisory Committee.  Jaquet served as the House Minority Leader from 1998-2008.

Sherri Wood is the Idaho Education Association’s appointment to the task force and the current president of the IEA.  Wood is a former teacher in the Caldwell School District.

Brad Patzer is an online principal at Idaho Digital Learning Academy and the Northwest Professional Educators’ appointment to the task force.  He is the 2003 Milken National Educator of the Year and a member of iNACOL, the International Association for K-12 Online Learning.  He holds a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho.

George Boland is the superintendent of the Idaho Falls School District and the Idaho Association of School Administrators’ appointment to the task force.  Boland currently serves as the Idaho Digital Learning Academy Board Chair and holds an Education Specialist Degree from the University of Idaho.

Brent Lloyd is the president and CEO of Futura Corporation and the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence’s appointment to the task force.  Lloyd also currently serves on as the Saint Alphonsus Health System Chair.  He holds a J.D. degree from the University of Idaho.

Mike Caldwell is the director of academics at Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA), and IDLA’s appointment to the task force.  Caldwell has ten years teaching experience in a traditional high school combined with over eight years experience in eLearning.  He holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Idaho.

Brian Duncan is the Minidoka County School Board Chair and the Idaho School Board Association’s appointment to the task force.  Duncan is the manager of Evans Grain and Evans Mineral and Nutrition in Heyburn.  He also served as president of the Idaho School Boards Association and holds a degree in Sociology from Weber State University.

Representative Bob Nonini from Coeur d’Alene and Representative Reed DeMordaunt from Eagle have been appointed from the Idaho House of Representatives.  Nonini serves as the House Education Chair.  DeMordaunt is also a member of the House Education Committee.

Senator John Goedde from Coeur d’Alene and Senator Chuck Winder from Boise have been appointed from the Idaho State Senate.  Goedde serves as the Senate Education Chair.  Winder is also a member of the Senate Education Committee.

Christine Donnell is the former superintendent of Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian). She retired in 2004 after spending 34 years in the district as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. She currently serves as executive director of the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence. Donnell has a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Boise State University, a Masters in School Administration from the College of Idaho and a Specialist Degree from the University of Idaho.

Superintendent Luna Responds to News that Referendum will be on the Ballot

The following is a statement from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna in response to news that enough signatures have been gathered to put a referendum on the Students Come First laws on the ballot in November 2012.

“We knew the referendum was a possibility, but I remain confident that a majority of Idahoans support education reform in Idaho. Repealing these laws would mean a return to the status quo, where the hands of local school boards are tied, educators receive tenure, the state distributes retirement bonuses, every teacher is paid the exact same, staffing decisions are made solely based on seniority, and classrooms remain stuck in the 20th century. This isn’t the answer to the challenges we face in education today. The burden of proof should be on those who want to defend the status quo, not on those who want to change it.”

Albertson Foundation Donates $21 Million to Improve 21st Century Classroom for Teachers

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation announced today it is donating $21 million to the State Department of Education to help create the 21st century classroom in every Idaho school. With its grant funding, the Foundation will help equip classroom teachers across the state with state-of-the-art tools to raise student achievement through data-driven decision making.

“This is an exciting day for Idaho students, teachers and school leaders. This generous grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation builds upon the bold and innovative reforms we have made through the Students Come First laws,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “While the Students Come First laws invest in advanced technology used for instruction, this Albertson Foundation grant will give every classroom teacher the technology they need to streamline reporting processes, save critical instructional time and gain access to immediate data on student achievement, robust assessments and research-based best practices. I am grateful to the Albertson Foundation for this donation and its show of confidence in the direction that Idaho schools are now going.”

With this funding, the Idaho State Department of Education will offer local school districts and public charter schools grants to implement the Schoolnet learning management system.  Through this secure software, classroom teachers will have instant access to current, accurate data. With this, they can develop lesson plans, share best practices, and assess and analyze student progress throughout the school year.

School administrators and school board trustees are able to use this technology to track student progress schoolwide as well as the impact of specific programs or professional development. Parents will have the ability to check their child’s grades and communicate with the teacher.

The state has been working for two years to identify this type of innovative technology that Idaho teachers and school leaders can use to ensure all Idaho students successfully graduate from high school prepared to go on to postsecondary education and the 21st century workforce. The Schoolnet learning management system was chosen last year after a rigorous selection process conducted by classroom teachers, school administrators, parents, school board trustees, and representatives of the business community. 

Many classroom teachers and school administrators are excited to begin using Schoolnet. Here are a few examples:

Dr. Linda Clark, Superintendent of Joint School District No. 2 based in Meridian: “Joint School District No. 2 has been actively seeking a solution for formative assessment and hope Schoolnet can meet this need. We appreciate the willingness of the Albertson Foundation to partner with and support the educational community in using data for continuous school improvement and increased student academic growth and achievement.”

Gretchen Simpson, a middle school teacher at Rimrock Junior Senior High School: “I attended the Schoolnet training in March and believe that Schoolnet will provide teachers with immediate and meaningful information about their students’ previous and current performance on both state assessments and content assessments within classrooms. This information is vital in planning for sound instruction as well as targeting and closing the gaps that are found in student learning.”

Ryan Kerby, Superintendent of the New Plymouth School District: “This announcement is exciting,” said Ryan Kerby, Superintendent of the New Plymouth School District. “The assessment piece of Schoolnet will allow our great teachers to use technology to identify gaps in student learning, enhancing teacher’s ability to review or re-teach, maximizing the learning for all kids.”

Vickie Chandler, Superintendent of the Bruneau-Grand View Jt. School District: “As a superintendent of a small school district in Idaho, and as a principal of a 7-12 Jr./Sr. High, I am excited and supportive of the ability to access Schoolnet as provided by the Albertson Foundation grant. Our budget does not allow for many of the formative assessment tools that Schoolnet will provide as well as the End of Course Assessments that are being required and of great benefit to our teachers as well as our school leadership team to determine appropriate curriculum and progress monitoring of all students.  This is truly a gift to our staff and students.”

William Goodman of the Bruneau-Grand View Joint School District: “I am very excited that the Idaho State Department of Education and the Albertson Foundation have teamed up to provide the assessment module for Schoolnet for Idaho schools. I have had the option to review this system and as a classroom teacher, District Technology Coordinator, Idaho Education Technology Association Regional Representative, and a parent, I can say that Schoolnet will provide teachers with a tool that will allow them to make greater progress in educating Idaho’s youth.”

SDE Sends Memo to Schools Regarding Political Activities on School Grounds

Here is a copy of the memo that Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna sent to all school district superintendents, charter school administrators, and school board trustees on Friday, May 13, 2011 regarding political activities on school grounds:

The State Department of Education has received a number of different inquiries from legislators, parents and members of the public regarding the propriety of political activities currently taking place on school grounds.  In this area, the political activities of Idaho professional educators are governed by rules promulgated by the State Board of Education under IDAPA 08.02.02.076, which is the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators.  Specifically, subsection 11e states that unethical conduct includes: “Using institutional privileges for the promotion of political candidates or for political activities, except for local, state or national education association elections.”

With the specific exception of elections for union offices, no “institutional privileges” are to be used for political purposes.  This includes, but is not limited to, activities such as using the school district e-mail system to coordinate political activities, creating and printing political materials, engaging in political proselytizing to a classroom of students, urging 18-year old students to vote a particular way in an election, using students as couriers for political material and allowing the use of the school to further political agendas in conjunction with any school activity or event, including after-school events.

There have been numerous reports of each of these types of activities taking place in Idaho’s public schools over the last several weeks.  If substantiated, each is a violation of the Code of Ethics and is punishable by a letter of reprimand, the placing of conditions on the educator’s certificate or the suspension or revocation of the educator’s certificate, pursuant to Section 33-1208(1)(j), Idaho Code.  Those whose certificates are suspended or revoked can no longer be employed by an Idaho public school.

Those education professionals who are subject to this Code of Ethics include all certified educators, including: superintendents, assistant superintendents, administrators, directors, supervisors, coordinators, principals, assistant principals, teachers, education media generalists, counselors, psychological examiners, school psychologists, speech/language pathologists, audiologists, school social workers, school nurses and occupational/physical therapists.

According to Section 33-1209(1), Idaho Code, a signed allegation that a violation of the Code of Ethics has occurred may be submitted to the Idaho Professional Standards Commission (PSC) by a local Board of Trustees or an “individual with a substantial interest in the matter, except a student of an Idaho public school.”  Since most of the political activities in question pertain to the public education system of the State of Idaho, any Idaho resident can claim a substantial interest in the question, from a parent or grandparent to a businessperson or police officer, and can submit such an allegation.

Furthermore, it should be noted that for any of the listed education professionals, “Having knowledge of a violation of the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators and failing to report the violation to an appropriate education official” is a violation of subsection 10d of the Code of Ethics, and punishable by the same consequences as a violation of subsection 11e, relating to political activities at school.

Those who are aware of any violations of the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators should call the Idaho Professional Standards Commission at 332-6864, or review the materials available for filing a complaint at http://www.sde.idaho.gov.

In order to help you ensure that your professional employees do not put their certification at risk by violating the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators, the State Department of Education will begin notifying you of any ethical violations or plans to commit ethical violations of which we are made aware.

April Brings Good News for Idaho Students

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna sent the following e-mail message to school district superintendents and school board trustees this afternoon:

The Idaho Division of Financial Management reported great news today about the state’s April revenues coming in above projections. We still have to wait for May and June numbers before we know for sure, but this could possibly mean more money for Idaho’s public schools this year.

April revenues came in at more than $13 million above projections, DFM reported today. Therefore, state revenues now stand at an estimated $74 million above what was originally anticipated by the end of April 2011. If projections stay on track through the end of June 30, Idaho’s K-12 public schools could receive up to $50 million more in discretionary funding under this current scenario.

K-12 public schools would receive this funding because of Senate Bill 1207, a maintenance of effort bill that the Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law this year. I thank them for their foresight and continued commitment to public schools, especially during the tough economic time Idaho has faced. We all know that, based on projected state revenues, the Legislature had to make the difficult decision to reduce funding for public schools by $47 million. However, at the same time, they approved Senate Bill 1207 to ensure that if revenues did come in above projections at the end of the fiscal year, a large portion of that additional money would go toward K-12 public schools. Right now, that additional money could mean $50 million for public schools.

However, I again must caution everyone that the fiscal year is not over yet. We still have to wait for May and June revenues, and June is another big month. Therefore, we will not know whether schools will receive any additional money until after the fiscal year ends on June 30. Still, I think we can all agree this is a positive sign for our economy and good news for our schools today and in the future.

We will keep you posted on the projected revenue figures throughout the rest of the fiscal year. For more information, you can download the “Idaho Outlook” on DFM’s website.

Superintendent Luna Expands Technology Task Force

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today he will expand the membership of the statewide Students Come First Technology Task Force to ensure parents and locally elected school board members are represented. 

Under Senate Bill 1184, the Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to convene a task force to help in implementing the technology components of the Students Come First law, including the one-to-one ratio of mobile computing devices in high schools.  The task force must be made up of at least 28 members, 17 of whom the Superintendent appoints. 

“Because of overwhelming interest from across Idaho, I have added positions for parents, school board trustees and at-large members to ensure we have broad-based and balanced representation on this task force, which will play a critical role in the implementation of Students Come First,” Superintendent Luna said. These stakeholders were not previously required to hold positions on the task force. 

Under the law, the State Superintendent will appoint: 4 school district superintendents, 2 district technology directors, 2 secondary school principals, 1 district business manager, 1 head of a virtual public charter school, 1 head of a traditional public charter school that serves grades 9-12, 2 secondary classroom teachers, 1 private sector education technology expert that does not provide online courses or mobile computing devices, and 3 representatives of the business community.  

Now, Superintendent Luna also will appoint: 

• 3 school board trustees
• 2 parents 
• 2 at-large members 

The remaining task force members will include a representative of the Office of the Governor, two members of the Idaho House, two members of the Idaho Senate, and a representative of each of the educational stakeholder groups:  Idaho Education Association, Northwest Professional Educators, Idaho School Boards Association, Idaho Association of School Administrators, Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence, and Idaho Digital Learning Academy.

The State Department of Education is still accepting applications and nominations for people interested in serving on the task force. Learn more on how to apply or nominate a person on the Department’s website. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 13, 2011.

Awards to Recognize Outstanding Teachers Who Mentor

The Idaho State Department of Education is working with Boise State and other partners to roll out a new program called Celebration of Teaching—Mentors of the Year Awards to recognize excellent teachers in southwest Idaho public schools. The awards program will honor teachers who guide, support and encourage fellow educators in their pursuit of effective teaching and professional growth.

Teachers selected for the awards will be honored at a September 8 Celebration of Teaching dinner and awards ceremony at Boise State.

“By bringing mentors together, we will highlight their quality teaching practices, mentoring skills, and abilities to build positive relationships and provide encouragement,” said Barbara Morgan, Distinguished Educator in Residence at Boise State.

The awards program is a joint project of Boise State, the Idaho State Department of Education, Idaho Education Association and Meridian School District. A distinguished panel of area educators and Boise State representatives will select up to 25 teachers who mentor for the awards.

Educators, school administrators, university supervisors and pre-service teachers from the more than 50 public school districts in southwest Idaho may nominate one or more teachers for a Mentor of the Year Award.  To make a nomination, please submit:

• A completed nomination form.
• A nomination narrative explaining how the teacher serves as an outstanding mentor.
• A letter in support of the nomination from a superintendent, principal, administrator, colleague, pre-service teacher, parent or student.

Nominations will be accepted from May 2 to June 17. Learn more and see a list of eligible school districts, nomination forms, nomination criteria.

It's Teacher Appreciation Week!

It's Teacher Appreciation Week in Idaho and across the nation. Here’s a statement from Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna:

“I appreciate the many talented, hardworking teachers we have across Idaho. I have visited nearly 300 schools since I have served as State Superintendent and seen the great work they do each and every day to raise student achievement. Teachers are the solution to the challenges we face today in education, not the problem.”

~ Melissa M.