Born and raised in Oak Park, IL, Will moved
to Minnesota to attend Carleton College in 1984. After graduating from Carleton,
Will taught science for two years at the International School of Minnesota in
Eden Prairie but was anxious to return to Burnsville High School (BHS) where he
had completed his student teaching. When a position in the science department
opened at BHS, Will was offered the job, and he accepted. Will has been teaching
physics and chemistry at Burnsville for the last 17 years.
In addition to his teaching duties, Will
has been an assistant volleyball and tennis coach, chair of the High School Site
Council and Science Department Area Leader. In these roles, Will has had an
opportunity to see first-hand the challenges and growing needs of a large high
school like Burnsville High School.
For 6 years, Will served as the chief
negotiator for the teachers of District #191. He was able to meet with teachers
from all of the district schools and learned about the issues facing each
school. His role as negotiator also allowed him to serve on statewide committees
and meet with other teaching professionals and negotiators in the metro area to
discuss issues in education. Most importantly, Will developed the skills it
takes to sit down with people of opposing views, seek and find common ground,
and reach a compromise for the good of all. These are skills Will has put into
practice at the state capitol as a state representative.
It was in his role as chief negotiator that
Will served as co-chair of the group responsible for writing the ISD #191
Performance pay plan (Pro-Pay). The
district’s pro-pay plan was called a “model plan” by the Governor’s
commissioner of education and is in its 5th year of implementation.
This web site was prepared and paid for by
The Volunteers for Morgan Committee
PO Box 1773, Burnsville MN 55337-1773