Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Lindsey Cartwright, Deirdre Bird Kramer, Stuart Lade, and Heather Lindstrom to the Board of Teaching.

Lindsey Cartwright, of Windom, is a Sixth Grade Science Teacher at Windom Public Schools. He has taught in Windom since 1980. He also coaches junior high baseball and is the director of the middle school play. He is a member of the Windom Planning and Zoning Commission, and is also a licensed building contractor. Cartwright received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Psychology from Hamline University and a Master's of Science degree in Educational Administration from Mankato State University. He holds a current Minnesota teaching license. He is appointed to a four-year term for a classroom teacher. Cartwright's term expires on January 1, 2007, and he replaces Douglas Frisk on the Board.

Deirdre Bird Kramer, of Stillwater, is the Dean of the Hamline University Graduate School of Education. She has worked at Hamline since 1984, where she focused on the teacher accreditation process and creating innovative professional development for teachers. She began her career teaching as a English as a Foreign Language teacher in Tehran, Iran. Kramer received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Spanish and Secondary Education from the University of Tulsa, and a Master's of Arts degree in English as a Second Language from the University of Minnesota. She is appointed to a four-year term for a representative of higher education. Kramer's term expires on January 1, 2007, and she replaces Walter Roberts on the Board.

Stuart Lade, of Brainerd, is Advanced Placement History Teacher at Brainerd High School. He has taught in Brainerd since 1979. Every summer he trains future Advanced Placement teachers at locations throughout the nation. Lade received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in English, Social Studies, and American Studies from Bemidji State University and a Master's of Arts degree in American History and Political Science from the University of North Dakota. He served in the United States Marine Corps, and is a Vietnam Veteran. He holds a current Minnesota teaching license. He is appointed to a four-year term for a classroom teacher. Lade's term expires on January 1, 2007, and he replaces Rhoda Miller-Stroud on the Board.

Heather Lindstrom, of Red Wing, is a Special Education Teacher at Red Wing Correctional Facility, which is part of the Department of Corrections School District. She has taught in Red Wing since 1999. She was a teacher at Armstrong High School in Plymouth from 1996-98. She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health. Lindstrom received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Secondary Education and Social Studies and a Master's of Science degree in Chemical Dependency Studies from Mankato State University. She holds a current Minnesota teaching license. She is appointed to a four-year term for a classroom teacher. Lindstrom's term expires on January 1, 2007, and she replaces Fransesca Vega-Taylor on the Board.

The Board of Teaching establishes rules governing the licensing of public school teachers and the accreditation of teacher education programs. The Board also establishes a code of ethics for teachers and has the authority to suspend or revoke a teaching license. The board is made up of eleven members appointed by the Governor.