• ATTENTION: MAY BOARD MEETING RESCHEDULED

    The TAM Board meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 23 at 6:30pm has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 6th at 6:30 pm.

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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: 320-262-5640

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Karen Kortgard - TAM Wide Teacher Member/Recorder

Twenty-two years ago, I was employed by a large corporation.  I left the United States to go to Mexico.  I had the opportunity to reinvent myself from various scholarships and NAFTA.  I graduated from SCSU with a Master's Degree and 4 teaching licenses in Special Education.  I feel very fortunate to have been given several learning opportunities in my life since then.  I have had both full-time teaching positions and have been employed in various special education environments.  In my spare time I sometimes float at different groups homes.  I also like to treasure hunt (garage sales) as I collect both salt and pepper shakers and cookie jars.  

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: 320-288-8492

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Lynn Stiehm - Community Representative/Member of Governance Committee

Lynn is retired and has a son who recently graduated from DREAM. As a non-traditional student, Lynn received her Bachelors of Science and Art in Russian History and Economics in 1995. After earning her degree, she worked as an Economic Development Specialist in Barrow, Alaska, taught at Ilesavik College, and ran a small business with her former husband. Lynn is an avid supporter of DREAM Academy and the philosophy of their teaching methodology.

Phone: 320-444-3052

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Jo Ann Monson - DREAM Parent Representative/Member of Finance Committee

In the past, I have been a special education paraprofessional and secretary at Willmar Schools for about 6 years.  I am currently an office manager for three mechanic/tow shops and work part-time at Prairie Lakes Youth Programs.  I have four kids with my youngest attending DREAM.