Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Patricia DeJarlais, Maggie Knutson, Anita Otten, and Louise Wilson, Ph. D., to the Board of Teaching. All are appointed to four-year terms that expire January 3, 2011.

DeJarlais, of Blaine, is a teacher on special assignment at Jordan Park Community School in the Minneapolis Public School District. She serves as an instructional leader providing feedback, knowledge, and skill to improve classroom practice. She assists with curriculum development and mapping related to state standards. DeJarlais has a master of education degree in teacher leadership from the University of Minnesota. She earned her post baccalaureate certification in elementary education from the College of St. Catherine and her bachelor of science degree in forest resources from the U of M. DeJarlais is appointed as a classroom teacher member and replaces Stuart Lade on the board.

Knutson, of Minneapolis, is a fifth and sixth grade teacher with the Orono Public School District. She has been a member of the Minnesota Quality Teaching Network for seven years and has traveled around the state to conduct workshops on literacy and writing. Knutson is currently working on her Ph.D. in literacy education from the University of Minnesota. She obtained her masters degree in curriculum and instruction literacy from Hamline University. Knutson was the 2004 Milken Educator Award winner, an award given to outstanding educators. She is appointed as a classroom teacher member and replaces Kristi Delaney on the board.

Otten, of Eden Prairie, is a music specialist for grades one though five in the Minnetonka Public School District. She is a co-chair and founding member of the Teacher Improvement Plan and has over 30 years of teaching experience. During her career, she has taught in both public and parochial school and has instructed grades K-12. Otten is a member of the District Music Curriculum Writing Committee and periodically reviews new music curriculum. Otten received her master of education degree with honors from St. Mary’s University in Winona and obtained her bachelor of music education degree with honors from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is appointed as a classroom teacher member and replaces Lindsey Cartwright on the board.

Wilson, of Arden Hills, is an associate professor and chair of the Education Department at Bethel University. She teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in addition to supervising and advising students. Wilson obtained her Ph. D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. She received a master of arts degree in education of deaf and hard of hearing from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and a bachelor of arts degree in English and elementary education from North Park College in Chicago. Wilson is appointed as the higher education representative member and replaces Deirdre Kramer on the board.

The Board of Teaching provides leadership for improvements in teacher education programs and assures that the state has well-qualified, professional teachers. The board determines the standards and practices that will serve the state's teachers and teacher preparation institutions. The board consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor.