Minnesota education commissioner resigns; deputy commissioner appointed to lead agency

Minnesota Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker has resigned after two years on the job, saying she wishes to return to classroom teaching, Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday.

Ricker's last day will be March 19, according to her resignation letter. Deputy Education Commissioner Heather Mueller will take the helm of the state agency April 1.

"Watching the indefatigable work of Minnesota's educators, I feel the pull to spend my time and energy in classrooms working safely alongside them helping students," Ricker wrote in her letter. "As we well know, this pandemic is not impacting all our students and their families equally. ... We all have a role in closing gaps and ending disparities and I am drawn to a role to provide more direct service and support to our students and educators this spring."

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-education-commissioner-resigns-deputy-commissioner-appointed-to-lead-agency/600032248/