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The TAM Board meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm via zoom. The zoom link can be found on the board agenda for each meeting. The public is welcome to join the meetings in person at each school site for the meetings. DREAM Technical Academy is located at 1705 16th Street NE in Willmar and CHOICE Technical Academy is located at 315 South Grove Ave. in Owatonna.
The meeting dates for the 23-24 school year are as follows:
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 (changed to August 1, 2023 in order to have a quorum)
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 - Annual Meeting and Board Elections
Tuesday, November, 28, 2023
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 - change of date due to holiday break
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
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What is a School Board?
Every school district has a governing body called the school board. The school board is made up of various residents of the district, including teachers, parents, and community members, and each member has a say in the decisions of the district. Board members make up several committees who are responsible for the district's Finances, Expansion, Governance, and Academic Excellence.
Board Meetings are held once a month -- the Technical Academies of Minnesota meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

Phone: 507-990-0327
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Jim Barnes, Community Member/Board Chair, Ex Officio of all Board Committees
I have lived in Owatonna for 20+ years. I'm the father of two children, one who went to CHOICE Technical Academy for 6 years, and previously served 4-5 years as a parent representative on the TAM School Board. I have been involved in other public school functions and teams. I have a background in accounting, finance, education and leadership. I enjoy traveling, reading, watching movies, and being with my family. I believe strong education and choice are the key to building better citizens of tomorrow. To that end, I have been involved in education in some capacity for over 20 years and believe in the mission and approach of TAM. I enjoy giving back to my community and helping as much as possible. With some things cleared up, I have time to help again. The vision is that we have a solid working relationship as a board with ourselves, our schools, our authorizer, the state, community, and any other stakeholders. My vision is to make sure the affidavit and policies are followed in all situations, including future expansion and learning outcomes.

Phone: (320) 262-5640
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Ashley Lucas - DREAM Teacher Representative/Board Vice Chair/Member of Academic Excellence Committee
I am an academic advisor at DREAM Technical Academy and I have been employed since January of 2022. I am also a newly licensed teacher and am excited about working with kids. My primary background and content area is in art and I have two bachelor’s degrees, one in Art Education K-12 and the other in Studio Arts. I have owned a small art studio in the local area for many years, teaching art to children and adults in the community privately and through many different school district’s community education programs. I also am a mother to four kids, three of whom are teenagers and two who are currently enrolled at DREAM.

Phone: 507-993-2919
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Special Education Community Counseling
Dawn Nuss - CHOICE Teacher Representative/Treasurer/Member of Governance and Finance Committee
Dawn joined the CHOICE Technical Academy team as a Special Education Advisor in 2019 and was elected Board Treasurer in 2022. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three grown children and seven grandchildren.

Phone: 507-414-7121
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Rochelle Shultz - CHOICE Parent Representative
My name is Rochelle Shultz, and I joined the Technical Academies of Minnesota Board in August of 2022 as a parent representative.
I have had experience serving on child abuse prevention boards, hold a Master's Degree in Public Administration, and have extensive knowledge of teacher-lead, project-based school systems. Generally speaking, I also take collaborative approaches to solving problems, coordinating solutions, and serving community members.
As a parent of a current student, I would like to continue to support the educational endeavors of an education system that does not dictate to students what to learn, but focuses on how to learn. It is my firm belief that this type of education is more conducive to the realities of a changing workforce and world.

Phone: 320-295-8309
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Shanna Hofland - Parent Representative, DREAM
My name is Shanna Hofland, and I am a parent representative on the TAM school board. I have four daughters, and two of them are currently attending DREAM Technical Academy. I am married and live in Willmar, MN, and currently work from home as a Registered Nurse for UCARE. I have been a Registered Nurse for the last 9 years. Prior to my employment at Ucare, I worked for 8 years as an RNSR at The Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Hospital. My husband, Aaron, is also a local business owner and is part owner of "The Fan Zone" which has a location here in Willmar, as well as one in St. Cloud, MN.
I love to stay busy, travel, and experience new things.
Phone: 320-905-7741
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Carolyn Holm - DREAM Community Member
I am a Willmar resident who is retired from retail sales. In my free time I enjoy art, being a musician and animal lover, and I enjoy inspiring others. I am a gatherer and eternal optimist. I am the co-founder of Let's Go Fishing, a 501c3 non-profit originally started in Willmar in 2002. I believe in the mission of the Technical Academies and I know many who could benefit from this style of learning. The strengths I bring to the board include integrity, common sense, a background in business and I have been on other boards in the past.

Phone: 320-224-7267
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Master's Degree in Special Education Licensed in Elementary Education, & Special Education
Jill Blomker - DREAM Advisor
My name is Jill Blomker, and I am an advisor at DREAM Technical Academy.
I have taught for 34 years in the public school system. Though I feel
strongly about standards and the accountability of teachers and our school system, I
feel the strongest about relationships with kids. It is in this I feel my greatest strengths.
lie. It was my highest goal that kids would more clearly see their value and individual
gifts because I was their teacher.