Board of TeachingTeacher Support :

Minnesota Board of Teaching

The Board of Teaching, created in 1973, provides leadership for improvements in teacher education programs and to assure that the state has well-qualified, professional teachers.

The Governor appoints eleven members to the Board of Teaching: six classroom teachers, one higher education faculty member, one school administrator and three members of the public, two of whom must have spent some time on a local school board. The board determines the standards and practices that will serve the state's teachers and teacher preparation institutions.

Contact Information

Executive Director, Karen Balmer
Teacher Ethics Specialist, Nancy Triplett

Teacher Education Supervisor, Vacant

Program Administrator, Sandra Needham
Phone number: 651-582-8833
TTY: 651-582-8201
Fax number: 651-582-8872
E-mail: board.teaching@state.mn.us

NOTE: Please use the E-mail address listed above if you wish to contact a specific Board of Teaching member.

Science Licensure Rulemaking Update: Effective October 15, 2007, a Minnesota teacher licensed in Chemistry, Physics, Life Science, or Earth and Space Science (grades 9-12 or grades 7-12) who has taught science for at least three years may take the content knowledge test in another area of science licensure (grades 9-12 only). Click here for more information.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Possible Rules Governing Credentialing for Paraprofessionals Minnesota Rules, 8710.9000. On March 12, 2008, the Minnesota Board of Teaching will hold a hearing about implementing a voluntary statewide credential for paraprofessionals. Click here for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Board of Teaching has adopted Praxis II Passing Scores for the Teacher of Reading K-12, Visual Arts K-12, Family & Consumer Sciences and German licensure fields. Click here for more information.

Board of Teaching Officers

Chair: Todd Johnson
Vice Chair: Leonard Runck
Executive Committee Members:
Jennifer Brist and Janet Schutz