INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) – Cari Whicker, a 6th grade teacher at Riverview Middle School in Huntington, was elected vice-chair of the Indiana State Board of Education.

Whicker succeeds Sarah O’Brien who announced her resignation from the board in July to take care of her ill daughter.

Whicker teaches language arts and social studies.

She was appointed to the SBOE in 2012 by former Gov. Mitch Daniels. Gov. Mike Pence re-appointed Whicker in 2015.

“It is an incredible honor to be elected as the new Vice-Chair of the Indiana State Board of Education,” Whicker said in a statement. “We all serve on this board to do what is right for the children of Indiana,’ said Whicker. We have made tremendous strides in providing quality education and increased opportunities for Hoosier students over the years. As a teacher, it is vitally important to me that we are able to provide our students with the best opportunities that furthers their excellence in education and allows them to grow.”