District 27A Rep.-elect Peggy Bennett will take her experience in the classroom to work in the upcoming legislative session with an assignment as vice chairwoman on the Education Innovation and Policy Committee.

Bennett, R-Albert Lea, who has been teaching for 33 years and was named Albert Lea’s Teacher of the Year in 2011, said she listed education as her top choice when asked which committees she would like to serve on.

“I’m excited about it because as a teacher, that’s definitely a passion of mine,” she said. “It’s a passion to bring the classroom up to the state. I believe so fully that policy should start down with teachers and parents and schools themselves and then go up.”

She said she looks forward to talking with other teachers, administrators and parents to find out what policies the state can enact or remove to help educators and schools do a better job for the students.

Bennett, who has been on a leave of absence this fall, is slated to retire in January, so she can focus solely on being a legislator.

Other interests she voiced were agriculture, long-term care and Greater Minnesota economics and jobs.

Legislators typically are on three to four committees. She said assignments haven’t been wrapped up.

Bennett defeated Rep. Shannon Savick, DFL-Wells, on Nov. 4.