Glenda Ritz
| Glenda Ritz | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 43rd Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
|
In office January 19, 2013 – January 9, 2017 |
|
| Governor | Mike Pence |
| Preceded by | Tony Bennett |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer McCormick |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Glenda Sue Neubauer 1954 (age 62–63) Lafayette, Indiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party |
Democratic 2008–present Republican until 2008 |
| Spouse(s) | Gary Ritz |
| Children | Brandon Ritz & Philip Ritz |
| Residence | Carmel, Indiana |
| Education |
Ball State University Indiana University–Purdue University, Indianapolis |
| Alma mater | Jefferson High School (Indiana) |
| Occupation | Educator; School library media specialist |
| Awards | Teacher of the Year |
| Website | glendaritz |
Glenda Ritz (born 1954) is the former Superintendent of Public Instruction for Indiana. She was elected November 6, 2012, defeating incumbent Superintendent Dr. Tony Bennett in an upset election, and she took office with a state government dominated by Republicans who opposed her agenda and could block it. Among Indiana Democrats, she held the highest elected office in state government during her term of office. She is the first Democrat to serve in the office in 40 years and the first Democrat to win any down ballot race in the state since 1996.
On June 4, 2015, Ritz declared she would run for Governor in 2016. On August 7, 2015, Ritz announced that she is no longer seeking the nomination for Governor, but is seeking re-election for Superintendent of Public Instruction. John Gregg, the Democratic nominee for Governor, has pledged to support her re-election effort. Ritz was defeated by Republican challenger Jennifer McCormick.
Glenda Sue Neubauer was born in Lafayette, Indiana, to Mr. and Mrs. James L. Neubauer. She graduated with the class of '72 at Jefferson High School. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Ball State University, and received a second master's degree in library science from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis. She has been married to Gary Ritz of Pendleton, Indiana, since 1977, and he is a partner at Paragus, which operates in real estate development, construction and property management. The couple resides in Carmel, Indiana, and has two adult sons, named Brandon and Philip.
Before her statewide political career, Ritz was an educator and library media specialist for 33 years, and her last position was at the Crooked Creek Elementary School in Metropolitan School District of Washington Township. She won teacher of the year awards at two different schools, and in 2012 she was one of 155 nationally board certified teachers in the state of Indiana. She served as a member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, a board member of the Indiana State Teachers Association and president of the Washington Township local ISTA union, and president of the Washington Township Education Association for 15 years.
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