President: Dr. John Schultz
John currently serves as the Metropolitan Educational Services Unit (Metro ECSU). John Schultz has served as Superintendent in both Hopkins and Edina Public Schools. He spent the first 13 years of his career teaching junior high science and had opportunities to teach students with special needs and adjudicated youth. In 1999, John entered school leadership, and has served as a Science Curriculum Coordinator, associate principal, and Director of Teaching and Learning.
John is passionate about providing children a dynamic and engaging school experience. As Superintendent, he is committed to engaging communities in education and developing a culture of innovation for all students and staff. John works closely with leadership teams to build efficiencies so resources can be maximized for student learning.
John holds a Bachelors in Religion and Biology from Augsburg College (Minneapolis, Minnesota), a Masters in Soil, Water, and Climate Science from the University of Minnesota (St. Paul), and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis).
Dr. Karen Orcutt
Karen Orcutt served as superintendent of Orono Schools from 2005-2021. Prior to superintendent she served as assistant superintendent, director of curriculum and instruction and special services director. Orcutt graduated from the University of Minnesota in Communication Disorders and obtained a Master’s degree in speech pathology and audio logy. She began her career as a Speech Language Pathologist in both school and hospital settings. She pursued further study in educational leadership and completed a doctoral degree in 2000. Orcutt has taught university courses in educational leadership and curriculum. She has a range of experience in workshops on educational leadership and resiliency.
In 2008 Orcutt was the recipient of the Richard Green Scholars award for her past and current research in the characteristics of resiliency in educational leadership. Karen is passionate about qualitative research in educational leadership and continues her study of leadership capacities. She is a part of the superintendent institute for further engagement and commitment to research in the field of educational leadership.
Denise Pontrelli
Denise Pontrelli has dedicated her life to bettering educational opportunities for all students. She is a veteran educator and before joining True North Consulting Partners and Sitelogiq as Director of Learning, Innovation and Design, served in the role of superintendent for the Stillwater Area Public Schools. She has over three decades of leadership experience as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, coordinator for curriculum, professional development, and gifted services and classroom teacher.
Denise is a proven instructional leader who is focused on improving learning opportunities for all students. She has a passion for supporting organizations in the areas of learning and innovation, organizational development, leadership development, adaptive strategic planning, creating equitable systems, human-centered design, community, business and faith-based partnerships, and leadership development.
A lifelong learner, Denise’s recent professional development includes collaboration on the HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Education) webinar series, Human-Centered Design at Stanford Design School, Storytelling for Influence through IDEO, the Four Dimensions of Instructional and Administrative leadership through Washington University.
Dr. Ray Queener
Ray Queener, senior consultant at TeamWorks International, blends his experience across multiple arenas to assist clients in the areas of partnership skills, strategic growth, personality and motivation awareness, and systemic alignment and accountability. Ray is known for his ease and comfort in working side by side with clients to approach each project with insight and compassion. Both lighthearted and results oriented, Ray brings energy, focus and hope to the organizations that he is honored to serve.
Ray has a wealth of experience in education having served in multiple capacities over 30 years. His work in education began as a secondary math teacher in Luck, WI. Having a vision for integrating technology into the classroom, he was able to further that vision as he served as technology coordinator for South St. Paul Schools and later Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan (ISD 196). He transitioned to finance director at ISD 196 and later Stillwater Area Public Schools (SAPS) where he gained valuable experience learning organizational operations while continuing to serve in public education. Both as an assistant superintendent at SAPS for 10 years and the last 6 years as superintendent for Cambridge-Isanti Schools, has helped lead successful bond and levy referendums in addition to overseeing district operations.
Service is evident in Ray’s support for public education serving as Executive Board Member for Schools for Equity in Education (SEE) for many years. He also served on the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) board and was the Region VI Leadership Team Chair. He was nominated and received several awards from his colleagues including Administrator of Excellence in 2017. Ray’s commitment to partnership, and his enthusiasm for supporting others as they learn and develop made him an ideal addition to the TeamWorks team in 2019.
Ray is recognized as a National Certified Superintendent through American Association of School Administrators (AASA). He earned his Doctorate in Educational Policy & Administration and received his Superintendent License from the University of Minnesota. He earned his Master of Arts in Educational Administration from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota where he also continues on as adjunct faculty. He has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Renee Sbrocco Corneille
Renee Sbrocco Corneille is in her third year as superintendent of St. Anthony New Brighton Schools (ISD 282). She has served as a high school and middle school social studies teacher, a dean of students, an middle school assistant principal and principal. The work in each of those positions was always about the kids. Renee is always thinking about what ways schools can support all students so they can both learn and contribute in ways that will change the trajectory of their lives. As a long-time student of the University of MN (from undergrad to Doctorate), she still holds her connection to the institution closely. She is an adjunct professor, a facilitator for the MN Principals Academy and Culturally Responsive School Leadership Institute. Renee also lives in St. Anthony with her husband Mike and her two kids Luca age 11 and Gianna age 8.