Minnesota Gov.-elect Tim Walz named the former head of the St. Paul teachers union to head the state’s Department of Education.

In a second round of leadership announcements this week, Walz named several future commissioners with east metro ties, including Mary Cathryn Ricker to become the state’s education commissioner.

Ricker served as president of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers union during the recession and helped it earn recognition for its efforts to boost student outcomes.

“Having taught in classrooms from St. Cloud to St. Paul, Mary Cathryn understands the shared challenges and diverse needs of schools across our state,” Walz said in a prepared statement. “This teacher-governor is proud to put a teacher-commissioner at the Department of Education.”

Ricker called it an honor to work with an education-focused administration. Walz is a former teacher himself.

“I am excited to work together with students, families, teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and school staff to build on Minnesota’s past innovations and reshape them to be truly equitable and intentional in meeting the needs of all Minnesota students,” she said.

OTHER KEY POSITIONS ALSO FILLED

Others appointments announced by Walz Thursday include:

Department of Corrections: Paul Schnell. Schnell is the current police chief in Inver Grove Heights. He’s also served in the past as the police chief in Hastings and Maplewood. He also worked for 12 years with the St. Paul Police Department.

Paul Schnell. Schnell is the current police chief in Inver Grove Heights. He’s also served in the past as the police chief in Hastings and Maplewood. He also worked for 12 years with the St. Paul Police Department. Department of Higher Education: Dennis Olson. Olson is the executive director of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. He was previously the commissioner of education for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and worked with the University of Minnesota – Institute on Community Integration.

RICKER’S PAST LAUDED

Ricker headed the teachers union in St. Paul between 2005 and 2014, when she became the executive vice president of the American Federation of Teachers. The national group has about 1.6 million members.

Under her leadership, the St. Paul union was noted for working with the district to launch a program in which educators mentor and help evaluate less experienced colleagues. The union also broadened its contract bargaining agenda to include issues such as class size and testing and worked aggressively to enlist parent support for the agreement.

“Having worked closely with Mary Cathryn Ricker, I think that she has a deep passion for working with students and families,” said Joe Nathan, the director of the Center for School Change. “While St. Paul Federation of Teachers president, she was willing to work with, listen to and share with chartered public school educators, as well as district educators. She has been open to new potentially more effective approaches in public education. I think the Walz/Flanagan administration made a good choice, and look forward to working with her.”

CABINET TAKING SHAPE

Earlier appointments announced by Walz include:

Department of Transportation: Margaret Anderson Kelliher.

Management and Budget: Myron Frans.

Department of Administration: Alice Roberts-Davis.

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency: Jennifer Ho.

Metropolitan Council: Nora Slawik.

There have been nearly 500 applicants for the 23 jobs heading up state agencies. The cabinet appointments go before the state Senate — where the state GOP has a one-vote majority — for confirmation. Many appointees, though, serve without ever being confirmed. Walz’ inauguration will be Jan. 7.