Mary Cathryn Ricker
Mary Cathryn Ricker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minnesota Commissioner of Education | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 | |
| Governor | Tim Walz |
| Preceded by | Brenda Cassellius |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 15, 1968 Hibbing, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Robert Cudahy |
Mary Cathryn Ricker (born December 15, 1968) is a labor leader, politician and educator in the United States, who has been named by Minnesota Governor-elect Tim Walz as his designee for Minnesota Commissioner of Education.[1] Ricker previously served as a classroom teacher and as Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers.[2]
Early life and education[]
Ricker was born and raised in Hibbing, Minnesota.[3]
Ricker is a National Board Certified Teacher who was a classroom English teacher in middle school English/Language arts for 13 years in St. Cloud, Minnesota; Camas, Washington; and Seoul. She also taught for 5 years in Saint Paul Public Schools.[4]
Labor leadership[]
Ricker has experience as past President of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers from 2005 to 2014, a 4000+ member union serving the teachers and Educational Assistants in St. Paul Public Schools. In 2014, Ricker was elected Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers. She also was a local delegate to the St. Paul Area Trades and Labor Assembly and served on the board of the Minnesota AFL–CIO.[5]
Board experience[]
Ricker was elected to the Education Minnesota Governing Board and previously served on Education Minnesota's statewide Professional Advocacy member committee. Ricker also served on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and as past president of the Education Minnesota Foundation for Teaching and Learning. She was Middle School Chairperson on the board of the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English.[6]
Ricker also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Democratic Institute, Department for Professional Employees, AFL–CIO, United Way of America, and the Albert Shanker Institute.[7]
References[]
- ^ "Gov.-elect Tim Walz selects education, corrections commissioners". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
- ^ Bakst, Brian. "Walz names education, corrections agency heads". Capitol View. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
- ^ "Mary Cathryn Ricker". American Federation of Teachers. 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
- ^ "Mary Cathryn Ricker". Education Writers Association. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
- ^ "Mary Cathryn Ricker". Shanker Institute. 2015-02-22. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- ^ "Tim Walz taps former St. Paul teachers union leader to head Department of Education". Twin Cities. 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
- ^ "Mary Cathryn Ricker, NBCT". NBPTS | Shaping the profession that shapes America's future. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
- 1955 births
- Living people
- American Federation of Teachers people
- Leaders of American trade unions
- Women labour leaders
- State cabinet secretaries of Minnesota
- Women in Minnesota politics
- 20th-century American women politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century American politicians
- 20th-century American politicians