Christine Jax

Christine Jax is an author, educator, and speaker. She was Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education from 1999-2003, having been appointed to that post by Gov. Jesse Ventura on Jan. 15, 1999.^[1] She is currently Dean and Chief Academic Officer for Digital Media Arts College.^[2]

Minnesota Commissioner of Education

During her tenure as Minnesota Commissioner of Education, the budget of the department she led (the Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning, which was the state's state education agency) was cut by $8.5 million (more than 10 percent). As a result, Jax "cut one-quarter of the department's staff, to 183 positions, and restricted agency spending on travel, hiring, and contracting."^[3]

In 2012, Jax was briefly a candidate for governor of Minnesota, running as an Independence Party of Minnesota candidate. Jax dropped out of the race two weeks after announcing her candidacy and endorsed congressman Tim Penny, who was defeated by Republican Tim Pawlenty.^[4]

Politics

Jax subsequently moved from Minnesota to South Florida. She was associate dean of doctoral programs at Walden University, a for-profit online institution.^[4]

She ran for the Palm Beach County School Board in 2012. In a five-candidate race, Jax advanced to a runoff election,^[5][6] but she was defeated by Michael Murgio.^[7][8]

Writing

Jax has published two non-fiction books and a variety of articles on diverse topics.

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.^[9] From 1999 – 2003 she served the state of Minnesota as Commissioner of Education.^[10] For the past 25 years Jax has taught and held administrative positions at various universities; including Capella University,^[11] Walden University,^[12] and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In 2015 she accepted the position of Chief Academic Officer at Digital Media Arts College.^[13]

She is married to Jesus "Zeus" Castillo; they have seven children and four grandchildren.^[14]

References