The Commissioner of Education approved the Minnesota Office of Charter Authorizing in August 2019 to serve as a single-purpose authorizer of public charter schools in Minnesota.
MOChA Mission: to improve all pupil learning and all student achievement.
MOChA Board of Directors & LEADERSHIP
KEVIN XIONG, Chair
Dr. Kevin Xiong, Ed.D., SHRM-CP is an effective strategic leader with over 20 years of Human Resources, Organizational Development, Charter School Management, and Equity experience. Kevin served as the Director of HR & Operations for Hmong American Partnership (HAP), the CEO/Executive Director for New Millennium Academy, and is currently serving as the Executive Director for Hope Community Academy. He utilizes inclusive approaches to organizational design and strategic management, while he embraces the importance of organizational success through cultural and social change lenses.
He recently graduated with his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership and Practice, where his dissertation focused on the need to include basic needs services in Hmong charter schools in order to increase effective parent engagement. His research helped create the Holistic Cultural Community Framework (HCCF) which illustrates the need to create one-stop shops in community schools to include academics, employment services, childcare services, cultural enrichment programs, culturally appropriate healing services, and cultural food services for parents to be engaged. His passion lies with working with the community and engaging those who are most impacted to be a part of the decision making process.
Jitendrapal Singh Kundan, Treasurer
Jit has over 20 years of experience creating, leading, and managing multicultural educational teams coast to coast and internationally through major organizational change(s). A consultant, trainer, coach, and speaker in building resilient, equitable, and inclusive organizations, Jit has committed the last ten years to helping organizations – nationally and internationally – build equity culture, working with government agencies, nonprofits, and foundations across the country to help their staff and stakeholders learn how to work in more inclusive cultures.
Jit holds MN Principal and Teaching licenses from the University of Minnesota, Masters in Physics from Bemidji State University, and a B.A. in Education from Augsburg College. A former science and math teacher and School Director/Principal (New City Charter School – 2013 Reward School), Jit’s commitment to public education and the public good has shaped his professional career.
In addition to his formal work in education, Jit has extensive experience as a board member, including UMOJA Drum Coop, Hamline Advisory Board, Minnesota Leadership Academy, Upper Mississippi Academy, and MN Youth Coordinating Board – successfully creating cohesive annual school fairs amongst Charter and Districted Schools.
Jeanene Miller, secretary
Jeanene currently is an Educational Consultant with schools in the Twin Cities. Her educational career has encompassed rural, suburban, and urban settings. Traditional public, charter, and private schools have been centers of her work across several states- New York, Washington D.C., Iowa, and Pennsylvania. Wisconsin and Minnesota.
She uses her experiences with students of poverty, social emotional learning (SEL), English Language Learners (ELL), special education, trauma-informed instruction, and cultural traditions to support MOChA’s mission to authorize schools whose purpose is to promote learning for all students.
Jeanene’s work as a consultant and trainer draws on her expertise in differentiation of instruction, co-teaching, instructional coaching, student-led conferencing, and professional learning communities (PLCs). Additionally, she has a deep understanding of the challenges of creating and maintaining a charter school through her experience helping two charter schools during their successful openingsJeanene shows her love of learning and is passionate about using data to drive instruction. Her roles as a classroom teacher, specialist teacher, administrator, and consultant give unique perspectives and insights into the academic world. Jeanene is a lifelong learner and continues to grow even with over 45 years in the field.
Phil Grant, director
In his more than thirty years in education, Phil has established himself as a leader in multiple capacities. He has taught in grades K-12 and was active as an innovative teacher leader. As a school administrator, he has served as a charter school Executive Director, specializing in the development of solid financial structures to ensure the long-term viability of the charter school.
Additionally, Phil has served as a school district superintendent and parochial school principal. He was a lead assessor for the University of St. Thomas (UST) Charter Leader Assessment Center, a collaborative effort between UST and the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools (MACS) that helped develop the next generation of charter school leaders. He co-authored “What It Takes: Tips and Strategies for Charter School Leaders” (UST, 2016) and presented at the 2012 National Alliance for Public Charter Schools national conference in Minneapolis.
Phil specialized in analyzing a school’s capacity to demonstrate fiscal responsibility through realistic revenue and expenditure projections, as well as board oversight of the school’s financial health.
Janie Yang, director
In addition to a career as a charter school classroom teacher (New Millennium Academy and Prairie Seeds Academy), Janie is a member of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). In these capacities, she combines her practical experience as a teacher to assist PELSB in its efforts to promote a high level of professionalism among all classroom teachers in Minnesota.
Janie received her undergraduate degree from Metro State University and a Master of Teaching Degree from Hamline University. Additionally, she completed the Charter School Leadership Certificate from Southwest Minnesota State University. She also obtained the Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate from Hamline University, and uses the skills obtained in this program to inform her instruction.
In her work both as a teacher and policy maker, Janie specializes in monitoring and evaluating educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards. She is also a valued resource for school administrators in the construction and monitoring of school budgets, ensuring that the school’s highest priorities receive appropriate resources to meet the organization’s goals. Her skills in strategic and organizational planning are used within her professional career and help the MOChA board achieve its mission as a high-quality charter school authorizer.
Dave Peterson, Managing DIRECTOR (Ex officio)
A relationship-oriented and insightful leader adept at successfully transforming organizations and implementing change, Dave served 27 years as a practicing school principal – high school, middle school and elementary levels – and 10 years as a charter school administrator, authorizing director and consultant with charter schools in Minnesota.
As a faculty member of the University of St. Thomas, Dave provided instruction and advisement for over 750 graduate students as they pursued principal or superintendent licensure. In addition, he served as the Director of Charter School Authorizing for St. Thomas, building a portfolio of charter schools and the infrastructure to support the approval and monitoring of schools.
While at the University of St. Thomas, Dave was lead designer and supervisor of the Charter Leader Assessment and Development Center. Prior to his current role as Managing Director, Dave served as the founding Board Chair of MOChA.
Ellie Holte, operations specialist
Ellie Holte is a communications, operations, and governance professional with more than two decades of experience supporting schools and mission-driven organizations. Known for her clear communication, collaborative leadership, and ability to build strong relationships, she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to complex issues. Her work is grounded in a commitment to equity, effective systems, and strengthening the organizations that help communities thrive.
Ellie’s career spans leadership roles in international schools, charter school organizations, and a child advocacy center. She has directed communications, admissions, and development efforts for schools in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa; supported charter school oversight, applications, and operations at Pillsbury United Communities; and served as Operations Director and Training Coordinator at First Witness Child Advocacy Center. Since 2022, she has worked as an independent contractor for nonprofits and schools, helping refine messaging, improve processes, and navigate strategic and operational challenges.
Ellie also brings a strong record of community engagement and governance. She chaired the board of New Century School in St. Paul for nearly a decade, guiding policy development, financial oversight, and strategic direction, and she currently serves on the board of the Family Freedom Center in Duluth. Whether managing complex projects, supporting vulnerable youth and families, or strengthening organizations through steady, collaborative leadership, Ellie is known for her empathy, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to meaningful, community-centered work.
Minnesota Office of Charter Authorizing 