Patricia Mueller

I am a 20-year educator in the secondary ELA classroom. Recently, I earned my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction and my Doctorate in Education Leadership. My research centers around teacher preparation and integrating literacy education in secondary classrooms. I am passionate about the science of reading, increasing the teacher pipeline, and preparing future teachers.

I am serving in my second term as the Minnesota State Representative for Austin, MN and the surrounding area (MN House District 23B) where I serve on the Education policy, Education Finance, and Public Safety committees.

• Representative for Minnesota House District 27B/23B
• Minnesota State House of Representatives, Elected in 2020, Re-elected in 2022
• Appointed to Education Finance Committee, Education Policy Committee, and Public Safety and Criminal Reform Committee

English Teacher, Austin High School, Austin, MN, August 2016-2020

• Taught 10th Grade English, Debate, Creative Writing, and Research Writing
• Collaborated with colleagues to create a novel-based curriculum for 10th Grade
• Teamed with Technology Integrationists so students could create a documentary that brought awareness to an important topic
• Nominated as a Teacher of the Year candidate in 2018 and 2019
• Along with other colleagues, I provided professional development for AHS about how to integrate literacy in various content areas and about using specific technology in the classroom

8th Grade English Teacher, Owatonna Jr. High School, Owatonna, MN, August 2015-2016

• Implemented Standards Based Grading
• Created several checklists/rubrics for all Enduring Understandings (Learning Targets)
• Created Common Formative Assessments - analyzed data for all 8th-grade students
• Met regularly in a Professional Learning Community to plan curriculum and analyze common formative assessment data

English Teacher, Traders Point Christian Academy, Whitestown, IN, August 2010-2015

• Taught drama, grammar, American Literature, World Literature, and Public Speaking
• Trained in Professional Learning Communities
• 2 years Administrative Assistant for Secondary Principal
• Substitute Coordinator for secondary school teachers
• High School and Junior High Student Council Advisor 
• Organized and hosted the first Service Fair at Traders Point Christian Academy
• Co-Created College and Career class where senior students explore careers and plan an internship experience during J-Term
• Organized and lead several service opportunities around the Indianapolis area 
• Recognized as a Teacher of Influence in Indiana in 2014

English Teacher, Anshun Teacher’s College, Anshun, Guizhou, China College students: August 2007-July 2010

• Taught conversational English, phonetics, reading, writing, and listening
• Visited several surrounding primary, middle, and high schools to run an English Corner and teach about America
• Created the AREAS program, which allows students in China to write to students in America

Minnesota State University, Moorhead, Moorhead, MN: 2019-2022

• Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)
• Dissertation Title: Science Teacher Attitudes and Perceptions of Disciplinary Literacy and Think- Aloud Effectiveness – A Case Study

Minnesota State University, Moorhead, Moorhead, MN: 2017- 2018

• Master’s Degree: Curriculum and Development: Literacy Emphasis
• Graduate Thesis Title: Strategic Reading: Using Think Alouds to Increase Fluency in High School Students

Winona State University, Winona, MN: August 1999-December 2003

• Bachelor of Science degree: Teaching
• Major: Communication Arts and Literature (Grades 5-12)