Meet our Board of Directors

Becky Meyer is Director of AFSA High School in Vadnais Heights. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education from the U of WI – River Falls, a Masters in Educational Administration from Purdue University - Indiana, her Principal and Superintendent’s Licensure from the University of Minnesota, a 2007-2008 Minnesota Principal Academy participant, and over eight years of teaching experience in traditional public schools, Becky has worked at AFSA High School for seven years. In her role as Director, she has worked to create a successful agriculturally based educational program, with many student success stories, and overseen construction of a new 44,000 sq. ft facility (her school was the recipient of a $500,000 Facilities Renovation Grant). Becky has also served as an Educational Specialist with the National FFA Organization, a role in which she trained agriscience teachers from all 50 states on best practices in science and agriculture. She has served in a number of leadership roles, including: Executive Treasurer for the National Council of Agricultural Education, Washington County 4-H Extension Committee Member, Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Board member, Life FFA Alumni Member, and 2004 Minnesota Agri-Women Mentor of the Year.

Tonicia Abdur-Salaam is the Director of Operations & Development for Partnership Academy in Richfield. She holds a bachelor in business administration and has extensive training and certifications in Non-Profit Management & Theology from the University of MN, Concordia University, MGST, and the University of St. Thomas. Tonicia has been at Partnership Academy for three years (prior to that she served for two years as the Project for Pride in Living sponsor liaison for Partnership). Tonicia has served in various leadership roles and activities, including: African American Leadership Council (AALC) Member and Education Committee Member, Twin Cities Youth Coalition Advisory Board Member – University of MN, Citizens Budget and Finance Advisory Committee for SPPS School Board, and Light House in the City Board Chair. She is also a Local Initiatives Support Corporation Careership Alumni, focusing on education and its relation to community development.

Bonnie Jorgenson is Head of School for Duluth Edison Charter Schools in Duluth. With a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Christian Education from Northwestern College, a Master’s in Theology from United Theological Seminary and extensive training via the Edison Leadership Development Academy over the last 10 years in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, Bonnie has worked at Duluth Edison Charter Schools for twelve years. Under her leadership, Duluth Edison Charter Schools have received a number of awards - Kenwood campus received the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation School Spotlight Award 2008, Washburn campus received 2005 Promising Practices Award, Charter Education Partnership, and her schools have received Four Star Student Achievement and Customer Service Awards from EdisonLearning every year since 2002, which is the Edison company’s highest honor. Bonnie is a member of EdisonLearning’s Inaugural Principals’ Roundtable involving school leaders in face to face dialogue with Edison administrators, and has served as a consultant for new charter school development for EdisonLearning in St. Louis and Indianapolis. As a leader in education and non-profits, Bonnie is actively involved as an elder at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, and is currently participating in a joint effort between Community Action Duluth and Blandin Foundation called Leaders Partnering to End Poverty.

Shirley Klitzke is a Special Education Teacher for Community of Peace Academy in St. Paul. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from University of Wisconsin-Stout , a master’s degree in Elementary Education from University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Special Education Licensure, and graduate work at Bethel University, Shirley has been at Community of Peace Academy for seven years. She has served on a number of education committees and leadership roles, including her current work on the Minnesota Department of Education, Special Education Advisory Panel; her past service on the Board of Directors for Community of Peace Academy, as well as on Community of Peace Academy's Curriculum Committee representing Special Education. She has also served as a leader in the community through her work as a Board member for Contender for the Faith Church, St. Paul and for Holy Pentecostal Mission Church, as a PTA President for Cowern Elementary, North St. Paul, Maplewood, and Oakdale Schools, and as a classroom volunteer, band parent, swim team parent, and district volunteer.

Bryan Rossi is Director of High School for Recording Arts in St. Paul. With a Bachelor's Degree in French Education from the University of MN, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas, and a Doctorate in Education Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota, Bryan has fifteen years of experience as a high school classroom teacher and eight as a principal. Bryan has a number of accomplishments to his credit, including the facilitation of technology innovations, strategic planning and service-learning in White Bear Lake, Eden Prairie and several charter schools, and the successful writing and approval of several charter proposals, including the St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts. He has authored a Service Learning Resource Guide for the University of Florida and Learn and Serve America, and presented locally and nationally on topics such as Service-Learning, Brain-Compatible Learning, Project-Based Learning for the MN School Boards Association, EdVisions, MN Association of Alternative Programs, and the National Youth Leadership Council.

Tracy Quarnstrom is Director for TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School in Chisago Lakes. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of WI – River Falls, a Masters in Curriculum and Principal and Superintendent’s Licensure from Hamline, Tracy has worked at TRIO Wolf Creek for seven years. She has served on a number of education committees and leadership roles, including: Chair of Minnesota K-12 Online Learning Alliance, a MACS Online School Forum Member, an appointee to the OLL Advisory Task Force, and a former Girl Scout Leader from Girl Scouts of the USA.

Dr. Brown is professor emeritus of educational leadership at the University of St. Thomas. He holds a Bachelors degree in math and science from Winona State University, and a Masters and Doctorate in administration and psychology from the University of Minnesota. Specializing in educational policy, entrepreneurial education, and innovations in education, to name a few, Dr. Brown has a remarkable range of educational experiences and leadership positions. He was a founding member of the MN Charter School Advisory Board, served on the MN State Board of Education, the Citizens Advisory Committee for Century Community College, and the Implementation Working Group for the MN Minority Education Partnership; currently he serves on the MN State Board of Medical Practice and the Board of Advisors to the St. Thomas School of Education. He has also served 10 years in the MN State Senate, was the executive producer of a series of education policy television programs broadcast on The Learning Channel and PBS, organized and served as co-chair of the National Educators for Reagan-Bush, and worked as a consultant and expert for the Secretary of Education. An avid researcher, Dr. Brown was the 1st Scholar in Residence at the National Association of Secondary School Principals and has authored a number of publications, including The Entrepreneurial Educator (co-authored with Jeff Cornwall in 2000).