Luke Andresen

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
My wife and I have been married for 13 years and have lived in the Foley school district for the last 10 years. We have three young children that attend Foley schools. 

What experience do you have that prepares you for public office?
I am an instructor at Century College and have been actively involved in educating students for over 8 years. I have a fundamental understanding of the issues facing K-12 education, with respect to accountability and funding (or lack thereof). As a member of Education Minnesota, I understand the concerns facing teachers and would offer to listen to their concerns and attempt to help them acquire the tools and professional development they need to succeed in the classroom.

Why you decided to run for this office.
Honestly, it is an effort to "think globally, act locally". I am very concerned with American student's lack of participation in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The true catalyst for my decision was the recent MCA II scores received by the Foley school district. The math and science scores, while in line with the Minnesota average, are abysmal.
While some may view this as a negative, I look at these evaluations as an opportunity for growth. I firmly believe that the Foley district needs to actively engage students with rigorous curriculum and qualified and well-supported teachers in the areas of science and mathematics, while maintaining the quality in other areas of education.

Top three issues you would tackle, if elected.
I only have one: Student success - we need to provide students a positive outlook and give them the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in whatever comes next in their lives.