Christine Jax

Christine Jax is an author, educator, and speaker. She is best known for her public service as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education from 1999-2003. Jax was named commissioner by Gov. Jesse Ventura on Jan. 15, 1999.^[1] During her tenure as Minnesota's education chief,^[2] student test scores improved and many education reforms were implemented, including web-based student performance reporting and alternative teacher compensation options. She is currently Dean and Chief Academic Officer for Digital Media Arts College.^[3]

She has appeared as an expert commentator on CNN,^[4] ABC News, and a Discovery documentary; and she was quoted in Time magazine, The Washington Post,^[5] The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Education Week, and the National Journal.

Minnesota Commissioner of Education

• Created a budget development system to address the achievement gap with targeted and efficient services to English language learners, students with disabilities and groups.^[6]
• Moved the agency to electronic governance including internal policies. external grant management. district oversight, and teacher licensure.
• Increased district participation in online and digital learning.
• Implemented a web-based public reporting system with dis-aggregated data in order to increase public awareness and improve stakeholder participation.
• Improved financial and grant management within the agency improving integrity and confidence in the agency.

Politics

Inspired by her service as Commissioner of Education after relocating to South Florida, Jax ran for Palm Beach school board in 2012.^[7][8] Jax was endorsed by Palm Beach County Republican Party Chairman Sid Dinerstein.^[9] None of the five candidates (Christine Jax, Michael Murgio, Michael Howard, Robert Bittenbinder, Lowell Levine) were able to secure the 50 percent of the vote needed to win the priamry,^[10] which resulted in a runoff between Chrsitine Jax and Micahel Murgio.^[11] Murgio ultimately won the runoff.^[12]

Writing

Jax is a published author who has written and published two non-fiction books and a variety of mainstream articles on diverse topics, such as leadership, management, education, parenting, moral development, and religious philosophy. Some of her work can be seen at GlobalPost, Synonym, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, ModernMom, TheBump, Livestrong, and eHow. She is also published in the academic arena in such areas as education law, public policy, and teacher education.

Biography

Jax grew-up and raised a family in Minnesota. She has a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Administration, an M.A. in Public Administration, and a B.A. in Child Psychology.

Jax founded and managed a school for homeless children in Minnesota. In 1996, Jax received a Bush Foundation grant to conduct a study concerning educational policy.^[13] From 1999 – 2003 she served the state of Minnesota as Commissioner of Education.^[14] For the past 25 years Jax has taught and held administrative positions at various universities; including Capella University,^[15] Walden University,^[16] and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In 2015 she accepted the position of Chief Academic Officer at Digital Media Arts College.^[17]

Jax was honored to meet both President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush, each while in office, and to be mentioned by them in nationally-televised speeches.^[18]

She currently resides in South Florida with her husband Jesus Castillo, both are active golfers, SCUBA divers, ballroom dancers, downhill skiers, world travelers, and wine aficionados. Jesus, who was born in Cuba, goes by "Zeus" and is a decorated Miami-Dade paramedic and firefighter. They have seven children and four grandchildren.^[19]

References