School Improvement

The Continuous Improvement (CI) staff support districts and schools identified under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) through COMPASS.

They facilitate systems-level coherence, build capacity, and ensure the effective implementation of the required action, as set forth by ESSA, aligned with the statewide continuous improvement framework, MnMTSS.

While the COMPASS system provides Tier 1 support to all schools/districts statewide, the School Improvement content team works directly with those schools/districts identified under ESSA. The scope and direction of this work are led by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) School Improvement Supervisor, who guides the efforts of the Statewide Improvement Coordinator, Statewide Data Lead, and the School Improvement Leadership Team. Within regions, the Regional COMPASS Supervisor oversees and coordinates regional efforts, providing direct supervision and evaluation of Continuous Improvement staff.

Meet the Continuous Improvement (CI) Team

Eleven members of the Continous Improvement Team stand in a group outside by the BrightWorks building. — Left to right, starting with the back row: Jamie Schnack, Amber Winter, Jodi Pollnow, Nichole Rens, Jen Andrews van Horne, Travis Smith, Jane Stevenson, Jessica Baker, Mattana Intakong, Amie DuFresne, and Kerry Muse, are the 11 members of BrightWorks' Continuous Improvement Team.

Jen Andrews van Horne has spent her career in education, working as an elementary teacher, a community-based program director working with multilingual students, an ML teacher and Coordinator, a PLC Schoolwide Lead and most recently, has focused her efforts on the continuous improvement support of schools and districts. She is passionate about building educational systems where each human can have an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

Jessica Baker has spent over 20 years serving in public education, with experience in school counseling, data and assessment, International Baccalaureate, curriculum and instruction, and professional development. She is passionate about building systems and environments that support adults and children in continuous growth and learning, and that create welcoming and nurturing communities that allow each person to connect to their talents, passions, and purpose.

Amie DuFresne brings over 20 years of experience in education, having served as a secondary mathematics teacher and a Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) Coordinator. She is passionate about creating equitable systems that help every student to succeed and about making data accessible.

Mattana Intakong was born and raised in Thailand. She has a background in multilingual learners and has worked for 15 years in education. Her professional background includes serving as a department lead, instructional coach, school board member, and school improvement specialist in multiple settings.

Kerry Muse brings over 20 years of experience, with a background in special education, mathematics, leadership, and innovative models for education. Over the course of his career he has served as a school founder, director of teaching and learning, instructional coach, and teacher across both district and charter school settings. As a certified Lean Practitioner, he has a passion for supporting systems to design and implement processes and practices which sustainably and equitably serve all students towards deeper learning

Jody Pollnow has worked for 25 years in education. She is passionate about building the capacity of leaders to create equitable outcomes for all students.

Nichole Rens brings nearly 30 years of experience in K–12 education, having served as a secondary English Language Arts teacher, International Baccalaureate curriculum coordinator, elementary principal, and curriculum director. Her passion lies in designing systems that support the individuality of every learner and building relationships with family, which fuels her commitment to school improvement.

Jamie Schnack brings over 20 years of experience coming from a variety of educational settings. His has served as a secondary math teacher, technology integrationist, instructional coach, department chair, teaching and learning specialist focused on mathematics, science and gifted and talented services, and has focused on continuous improvement in educational settings since 2023.

Travis Smith has spent his career in early childhood education, youth work and education, working as a pre-school teacher, program after school manager, supportive housing manager, behavior dean and violence interrupter. Travis is passionate about life and reimagining the direction of developing young minds, in addition to working toward a mission of creating a more equitable world for everyone.

Jane Stevenson is a career educator. She has worked as a paraprofessional, special education teacher, lead teacher, mentor teacher, school principal, leadership coach, and education consultant. She seeks to work in partnership with educators as they pursue continuous improvement in their classrooms, schools, and districts.

Amber Winter has dedicated 15 years to public education, serving in a variety of roles including elementary teacher, middle school mathematics teacher, instructional specialist, and school improvement specialist. She is passionate about advancing equity in education and helping districts/schools cultivate environments where all students feel valued, supported and empowered to pursue their unique passions.