Walz appoints Deputy Commissioner Mueller as new head of state Education Department

Governor Tim Walz has appointed Deputy Commissioner Heather Mueller to head the state Department of Education effective April 1st. Walz says current Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker wants to leave state service to spend more time in the classroom with Minnesota students. Walz says he’s grateful for Ricker’s leadership “in navigating this unprecedented time as we asked our school communities to do the unimaginable.” Incoming Commissioner Mueller says, “Minnesota’s students and teachers have shown resiliency and perseverance this past year.”