Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Lee-Ann Stephens to the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Stephens, of St. Louis Park, is an elementary school teacher at Cedar Manor Intermediate School in St. Louis Park, where she teaches sixth grade students. Her more than 20 years of experience include teaching writing and science to fifth graders with KIPP Stand Academy in Minneapolis, English language arts to fifth and sixth graders at Park Spanish Immersion School in St. Louis Park, gifted and talented students at Cooper Elementary School in Minneapolis, fifth and sixth graders at Northrop Environmental Learning Center in Minneapolis, and first graders at Dowling Environmental Learning Center in Minneapolis. Stephens earned her master of education degree in curriculum and instruction as well as her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the University of Minnesota, her bachelor of arts degree in international studies from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and is a certified teacher in elementary education in Minnesota.

Stephens is a member of the Measures of Effective Teachers’ Project Teacher Advisory Panel, a national research project sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that brings together independent education researchers with school districts, principals, teachers, and unions to develop a fair and reliable measure of teaching. She holds membership in numerous professional teaching associations and staff development leadership positions, and was “Minnesota Teacher of the Year” in 2006. Stephens, who is appointed to a position for a classroom teacher on the Board of Teaching, replaces Jeffrey Anderson to complete a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

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.