Thursday, May 29, 2025
The DPI would like to announce transitions for some members of our leadership team.
Tacara Lovings To Become Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives
Most recently, Tacara was a Policy Initiatives Advisor for the Department of Public Instruction and headed up the DPI's Strategic Planning process. In her new position, she will continue to guilde the agency in implementation of changes to better align the DPI with its mission, goals, and the feedback from stakeholders. She will also help teams throughout the agency identify and implement opportunities for innovation.
Tacara is a strategic thinker who believes in empowering teams with best practices and building consensus around shared values and goals.
Sara Knueve Appointed Deputy Assistant State Superintendent
State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly appointed Sara to the role of Assistant Deputy State Superintendent in March 2025. Prior to this new role, Sara was a policy advisory for the agency. She is committed to elevating best practice and policy to shape education for both today and into the future.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, she is an advocate for education for all students in the state of Wisconsin. Her own education path includes graduating from Platteville High School, receiving her BA in Psychology and her Masters in Social Work. Her early career endeavors have their roots in community social work. She is a proud Americorp Alum and former Program Director of the Dane County Boys & Girls Club. Prior to joining the DPI in 2022, she spent almost two decades in public education working in the Madison Metropolitan School District, serving as a bridge to join together educators, families, and communities.
DPI General Counsel Ben Jones Appointed to Dane County Circuit Court
It was announced on May 23rd that Ben Jones has been appointed by Governor Tony Evers to the Dane County Circuit Court to fill State Supreme Court Justice-Elect Susan Crawford's place on the bench. Ben’s leadership and his deep commitment to public service have truly shaped this agency. He's been a calm and steady presence in every storm and has guided us through challenges with clarity and compassion, always grounding his work in one core question: “What’s best for kids?” His intelligence, humor and ability to connect will leave a lasting mark at the DPI. We thank him for his service and wish him well!