MDE Back to School Conference

Kat Edwards

Kat Edwards is the Assistant Director of Data Practices and Analytics at the Minnesota Department of Education, where she has spent more than a decade advancing the agency’s data governance, reporting, and evaluation capacity. Kat has extensive experience managing cross‑division data initiatives, collaborating with IT on technical solutions for data collection and reporting, and supporting program staff in appropriately using data for decision‑making. Kat holds a Ph.D. in Quantitative Methods in Education from the University of Minnesota and has presented locally and nationally on data reporting, program evaluation, multilingual learner data, and state accountability systems. Her work is driven by a commitment to improving the quality, transparency, and usefulness of education data to better serve Minnesota students and schools.

Daley Lehmann

Daley has been working at the Department of Education for nine and half years starting as the Levy Coordinator. He currently holds the position of Assistant Director of School Finance. Before coming to MDE he worked in municipal government for nine years and holds are Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas.

Mary has worked at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), School Finance Division for 20 years, of which she has worked on various projects within the Financial Management area. As the Supervisor of Financial Management, she works with an experienced team of accountants that provide services to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). Prior to working at MDE, she was the Audit Manager at the Metropolitan’s Airport Commission and Audit Supervisor at the Office of Legislative Auditor. Mary has a CPA certificate (inactive).

Megan Lagasse

Megan Lagasse, MSW, LICSW (she/her) is the Student Support Personnel Specialist for the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Center at the Minnesota Department of Education. Prior to joining MDE, she was a school social worker for 14 years in three Minnesota school districts. During her time in Anoka-Hennepin, Megan led secondary social-emotional-behavioral intervention and the school social work department. Now in her current role, she supports the recruitment, retention, and professional growth of student support personnel across Minnesota.

Gregg Campbell

Gregg began his teaching career in St. Paul Public Schools and spent nights at an ALC in South Minneapolis. He taught middle and high school Social Studies for 10 years "up north" before serving as K-12 Dean and then as a 7-12 Principal. Gregg joined MDE in the summer of 2022 as a Non-exclusionary Discipline Specialist and has now had the privilege of working with COMPASS Attendance Team since the Fall of 2025.

Olivia Christensen

Olivia Christensen, Ph.D., is the kindergarten and early elementary support specialist for the Early Education Division at the Minnesota Department of Education.

The proud parent of two middle schoolers, Jon's career has focused on expanding opportunities and improving outcomes for young children and families at the federal (U.S. Department of Education), state (Minnesota and D.C.), and local (Baltimore) levels. My work as the Minnesota Kindergarten Fall Assessment (MnKFA) Coordinator is shaped by my experience as a researcher, advocate, policy advisor, administrator, kindergarten teacher, and parent. I’m committed to building strong relationships with educators, elevating student and family voices, and supporting schools that are inclusive, welcoming, and joyful for every child. Outside of work, I serve on the West St. Paul–Mendota Heights–Eagan Area School Board, coach youth soccer, and throw pottery.

Eric Billiet serves as a key leader in strengthening career and technical education across Minnesota. He supports districts and educators in expanding rigorous, high‑quality programs that connect students to meaningful career pathways. Eric leads statewide initiatives that align secondary, postsecondary, and workforce partners to improve student outcomes. His work centers on increasing access, equity, and relevance in all CTE opportunities.

Brian Rhoads

**Brian Rhoads, MA**  serves as the **Physical Education Specialist** at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), where he supports statewide initiatives to advance high-quality physical education and healthy learning environments for all students. Prior to his current role, Brian served as MDE's **Health Education Specialist**, leading the development and implementation planning for Minnesota's K–12 Academic Standards in Health and collaborating with educators, state agencies, and community partners to strengthen health education across the state.

Brienne LaHaye

Brienne LaHaye, MA, LMFT, serves as the Mental Health Lead in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Center at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). In this role, she provides statewide leadership to advance comprehensive school mental health systems, supports implementation of Minnesota's school mental health initiatives, and collaborates with education, health, and community partners to strengthen student and educator well-being across the state.

Terri Swartout

**Terri Swartout, MA,** serves as the **School Health Coordinator** in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Center at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). In this role, she provides statewide leadership to support safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that promote both student well-being and academic success. Terri leads Minnesota’s implementation of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework and collaborates with schools, districts, state agencies, and community partners to strengthen school health systems across the state.

Julie Novak

Julie Novak, M.Ed., Ed.S. Julie Novak serves as the Director of Literacy for the Minnesota Department of Education, leading the agency’s Literacy Unit and overseeing statewide READ Act literacy initiatives, including the Regional Literacy Network. Before joining MDE, she supported Minnesota districts as a School Advocate at the Central Lakes Regional Center of Excellence and co-led COMPASS Literacy efforts to strengthen Structured Literacy implementation. With more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, curriculum director, and Title I Coordinator across New Mexico and Colorado, Julie brings deep expertise in advancing evidence-based literacy practices. She holds a master’s degree in elementary education and a certificate in educational leadership from the University of New Mexico.

Jennifer Wazlawik

Jennifer Wazlawik, M.Ed., M.S. Jennifer Wazlawik serves as the READ Act Integration Lead at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). In this role, she leads the work of the Regional Literacy Network to support implementation of the READ Act legislation in collaboration with the Minnesota Service Cooperatives and COMPASS. She brings over 30 years of experience in education, having served as an elementary teacher in Minnesota and a district reading specialist in Wisconsin. At MDE, she also facilitated the 2020 review and revision of the K–12 Academic Standards for English Language Arts. Jennifer holds master’s degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Reading.

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Monet Barnes

Monet is a Multilingual Learner Instruction Specialist and Content Lead for the COMPASS Equitable Access Specialists at the Minnesota Department of Education. Her background includes early childhood and K–12 education, Multilingual Learner teaching and coordination, Language Arts and literacy instruction, instructional coaching, and organizational process analysis and improvement work. Through these experiences, she has developed a deep understanding of how instructional practices, systems, and processes work together to support equitable outcomes.

In her current role, Monet partners with school and district leaders to strengthen and build MnMTSS-aligned systems that ensure equitable access for Multilingual Learners. She believes sustainable change happens through shared responsibility, asset-based practices, and intentional systems improvement that empowers educators and creates more equitable learning opportunities for students.

Daley Lehmann

Daley has been working at the Department of Education for nine and half years starting as the Levy Coordinator. He currently holds the position of Assistant Director of School Finance. Before coming to MDE he worked in municipal government for nine years and holds are Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas.

Kelly Wosika

Kelly Wosika is the supervisor of the General Education Funding Section. She implements education funding laws by supervising the calculation of state aid entitlements and property tax levy limitations, and the administration of aid payment processes to local education agencies.

Dr. Gayra Ostgaard serves as the Data Management and Student Accounting Supervisor within School Finance. In this role, she oversees key systems that support funding calculations and payments for public school districts, charter schools, and postsecondary institutions, including MARSS, ADMWE, BIS, TRS, SSID, the PSEO System 25, and MDEORG. She provides leadership in system coordination and policy implementation to ensure accurate reporting and timely funding for Minnesota’s education partners. Gayra has been in her current position for five years but with MDE for ten years. She holds a Ph.D. in Evaluation Studies Evaluation Studies through the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota.

Mary has worked at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), School Finance Division for 20 years, of which she has worked on various projects within the Financial Management area. As the Supervisor of Financial Management, she works with an experienced team of accountants that provide services to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). Prior to working at MDE, she was the Audit Manager at the Metropolitan’s Airport Commission and Audit Supervisor at the Office of Legislative Auditor. Mary has a CPA certificate (inactive).

Sara Kemper

Sara Kemper joined the CAREI team as a Research Associate in 2021. Her early experience as a 5th grade teacher opened her eyes to the many ways in which formal education systems disadvantage low-income and BIPOC students. She now works to support people and organizations passionate about disrupting those systems and advancing educational equity through applied research and evaluation. At CAREI, Sara's portfolio includes a range of PreK-12 projects, including The Minnesota Principals Survey, the Minneapolis Public Schools - College of Education and Human Development research practice partnership, and the Wisconsin-Minnesota Comprehensive Center. Sara has a PhD in Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Minnesota and an MEd in Elementary Teaching from Wilmington University.

Ann Mitchell

A former high school teacher, principal, and district leader, Ann has worked with the Minnesota Department of Education supporting school and district leaders since 2017. Ann is especially committed to developing collaborative and culturally responsive leadership capacities and to elevating and amplifying previously invisible and silenced voices in decision-making processes. Collaboration with thoughtful, reflective, and inspiring educators fuels her commitment to human-centered leadership.

Elizabeth Vaught

Elizabeth Vaught is a lifelong learner from a long line of educators. After serving as a classroom teacher, Instructional Coach, and Assistant Principal, she was honored to serve as a Principal. Liz currently works with the Minnesota Department of Education to support school and district leaders as a coach and learning facilitator through human-centered leadership practices. She is committed to being a learning partner for school leaders and a change agent for schools through collaboration and conversation. Liz earned her doctorate from Arizona State University in 2010.

Kleber Ortiz

Kleber I. Ortiz has worked in education for over 15 years. His teaching experience spans middle school, high school, post-secondary education, curriculum development, teacher professional development, and program planning and implementation. He has led workshops at various events focusing on Ethnic Studies, Equity, Latine History, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Critical Literacy, and closing the Opportunity Gap. He was awarded the 2021–2022 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award by Minneapolis College and the 2022 Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Kleber has worked at MDE for the past two years, first in the Workforce and Development Center overseeing the Grow Your Own grant adult pathway and was recently promoted to his role as the Family and Community Engagement Supervisor in the Public Engagement Division.

Garrett Petrie

Garrett Petrie serves as the Workforce and Low Incidence Disabilities Supervisor in the Special Education Division at the Minnesota Department of Education. He provides strategic leadership for statewide special education workforce recruitment and retention efforts, and oversees programs and supports for students with low incidence disabilities. Garrett coordinates cross‑agency initiatives, supervises regional and statewide personnel development activities, and leads data‑informed planning to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. He also facilitates collaborative work with districts, higher education, and state partners to strengthen capacity across Minnesota’s special education system.

Paul Dols

Paul Dols serves as the Special Education Workforce Specialist in the Special Education Division at the Minnesota Department of Education. He provides statewide leadership and technical assistance to support recruitment and retention of special educators, with a focus on workforce stability and areas of shortage. Paul analyzes special education workforce data, collaborates with Educator Licensing and higher education partners, and disseminates research‑based strategies to strengthen preparation pathways and mentoring supports.

Katie Roby

Katie Roby serves as the Low Incidence Disability Specialist for Equity and Licensure in the Special Education Division at the Minnesota Department of Education. She leads division efforts related to special education teacher preparation, licensure, and workforce capacity, with a focus on equitable service provision in low incidence disability areas. Katie coordinates statewide low incidence leadership and grant activities, supports professional learning across the field, and collaborates with PELSB, higher education, and regional partners to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

Anne Kilzer

Anne Kilzer serves as Executive Director of the Minnesota Service Cooperatives. She leads statewide initiatives on behalf of Minnesota's nine Service Cooperatives and works with partners across local, regional and state entities to improve outcomes for students and schools. With more than 25 years of experience in public policy, association leadership, and strategic partnerships, Anne has held leadership roles in workforce and economic development, communications, government relations and policy implementation at the state and federal levels. She is passionate about building systems that strengthen capacity and navigating complex challenges through collaboration. Anne and her husband Tom live in Southwest Minneapolis with their two active daughters and their family pet, a bunny named Graham.

Terri Swartout serves as the School Health Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) within the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Center. In this role, she supports schools in healthier policies and practices utilizing the Whole Child framework. Terri is the current project director for the CDC Healthy Schools cooperative agreement, School-Based Interventions to Promote Equity and Improve Health, Academic Achievement, and Well-Being of Students. The best part of her job is connecting with and witnessing the many successful approaches that schools take in connecting health and learning. Prior to working at MDE, Terri worked for over ten years as a health education teacher and served on her local school board.