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Teachers that Nurture, Guide and Inspire
Providence Academy demands a lot from its teachers as well as its students. We have conducted both local and national searches for the best educators available--professionals with sound classroom training, unquestionable expertise in their fields and compassion for students. Our smaller class sizes will generate greater interaction and more individualized attention. We want a school in which teachers love to teach and students love to learn.
Headmaster of Providence Academy
DR. TODD R. FLANDERS
Dr. Flanders has served as headmaster of Providence Academy since its inception
in 2000. He holds a BA with a concentration in political philosophy from the
University of Chicago, an MA in history from Truman State University, and a
Ph.D. in theology from Boston College. He has taught history and theology in
both college and high school, co-founded a residential college program and
served as director of career services at Truman State, and was director of
educational programming at the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and
Liberty before coming to Providence. Dr. Flanders writes and speaks on topics of
education, religion, and the free society, is an adjunct scholar with the Acton
Institute, and serves on the board of advisers for the Center for Catholic
Studies at the University of St. Thomas.
Click here to email Dr.
Flanders. Click
here to access Dr. Flanders' Web page.
Upper School Director
KEVIN FERDINANDT
Mr. Ferdinandt serves as Director of the Upper School, where he has
responsibility for operations of the Academy’s ninth through twelfth grade programs. He holds a
bachelor’s degree in German, with a teaching minor in English, from the University of St. Thomas; a
master’s degree in Theology from St. John’s University in Collegeville; and an Education Specialist degree from the University of St. Thomas. He has taught at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, St. Raymond’s School for Boys in the Bronx, New York, St. Paul Academy and Summit School in St. Paul, Archbishop Brady School in West St. Paul, and at the University of St. Thomas. Mr. Ferdinandt has also owned and operated a painting and decorating company in Hastings.
Click here to email Mr.
Ferdinandt.
Click here to access Mr. Ferdinandt's Web page.
Middle School Director
Steven Cunningham
Mr. Steven Cunningham, Middle School Director, brings over a decade of
educational experience to Providence Academy. Most recently, Mr. Cunningham
served as principal of Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School in Rogers. Prior to
that, he served as assistant principal of the John Ireland School in Hopkins.
Mr. Cunningham also brings extensive experience as a Middle School history
instructor, and teaches history at Providence as well. He holds a master’s
degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas, and a
bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University.
Click here to email Mr.
Cunningham.
Click here to access Mr. Cunningham's Web page.
Lower School Director
NANCY GALGANO
Mrs. Nancy Galgano
has taught second grade at Providence Academy and is now the Lower School
Director. She holds a master's in elementary education at the College of St.
Catherine. Mrs. Galgano has taught the Core Knowledge Curriculum to her own
children, and for eighteen years has served as a religious educator in
parishes. In addition, she brings several years of experience as a corporate
training manager with Citibank in New York, and holds a bachelor's degree in
Communications with honors from Fordham University.
Click here to email Mrs. Galgano.
Click here to access Mrs. Galgano's Web page.
Director of Athletics

KURT
JAEGER
Mr. Jaeger is the Director of Athletics at Providence Academy, where he has
previously
taught second grade. Mr. Jaeger also has past experience at the Church of
St. Stephen School in Anoka, Minnesota, where he served as Athletics Director.
Mr. Jaeger brings a decade of experience teaching and coaching children of all
ages, K-8. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from
Moorhead State University, and also has licensure in Middle School science,
literature, math, foreign language, Kindergarten and coaching. Mr. Jaeger
is a certified athletic administrator. He also teaches one section of
Middle School Religion at the Academy.
Click here to
email Mr. Jaeger.
Click here to access Mr. Jaeger's Web page.
College Counselor

SARAH HOGAN
Mrs. Hogan brings nearly a decade of
college administration experience to Providence Academy, having served most
recently as Director of Alumni Relations and previously as the Associate
Director of Admission and Financial Aid at the University of Dallas. As a
college admission professional, she coordinated strategic planning efforts in
student recruitment, supervising travel, programming, admission and financial
aid policies and practices. She conducted numerous presentations nationally at
high schools, colleges, churches/parishes, corporations and conferences. During
her college admission tenure, she provided counsel to college applicants
regarding admission and
financial aid, academic advising and career options.
She also contributed as a writer and editor of various publications, such as
viewbooks, catalogs, and alumni/donor publications.
She is a current
member of the National
Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC) and the Minnesota
Association of College Admission Counselors (MACAC) with certificates from the
Rice University Workshop on College Admission and the Harvard Admission
Institute. Mrs. Hogan holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University
of Dallas. Click here to email Mrs.
Hogan.
Click here to access
Family Connection, Providence Academy's College Counseling Program.
Middle and Upper School Counselor

EMILY SEMSCH
Mrs. Semsch is the
School Counselor for Middle and Upper School students at Providence Academy.
As counselor, she assists students experiencing a variety of personal, social
and academic issues. She holds a master's degree in Professional School
Counseling from Minnesota State University, Mankato and a bachelor's degree in
English from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Mrs. Semsch is a
licensed K-12 School Counselor, as well as a member of the Minnesota School
Counselors' Association and the American School Counselor's Association.
Before joining Providence, Mrs. Semsch completed internships at Benilde-St.
Margaret's and Clover Ridge Elementary School in Chaska, where she focused on
personal/social counseling for individuals and groups, classroom guidance
lessons, academic counseling and future planning.
Click here to email Mrs.
Semsch.
Click here to access the Middle and Upper School Counselor's Web page.
School Resource Officer

GREG OLY
Officer Greg Oly brings over twenty years of law enforcement experience with
the Plymouth Police to Providence Academy. He has served in a variety of
capacities, most recently as the school resource officer for Wayzata Central and
East Middle Schools. Officer Oly has extensive experience as a S.W.A.T. team
member, D.A.R.E. elementary and G.R.E.A.T./D.A.R.E. middle school instructor,
and defensive tactics instructor. In addition, he established the Plymouth
Police bicycle patrol and is a certified police cyclist instructor. Officer Oly
provides resources to faculty and students on matters ranging from internet
safety to drug and alcohol use prevention. He is also an eight-time national
speed skating champion and Plymouth Wayzata Speed Skating Club coach.
Click here to email Officer Oly.
Lower School Faculty
DR. CONSTANCE KROCAK
Dr. Krocak works as the Coordinator of the Pre-kindergarten Program at
Providence Academy. Before coming to Providence Academy, she had ten years
of experience as a Preschool Director and teacher at Our Lady of the Lake
Catholic School in Mound, Minnesota. She has an Ed.D. and a master’s degree in
Education, Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of St. Thomas,
Pre-Kindergarten education licensure from Crown College, a bachelor’s of science
in Home Economics Education-Child Development Option, and a bachelor’s of Arts
in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota.
Click here to email
Dr. Krocak.
Click here to access
Dr. Krocak's Web page.
CINDY BAUER
Mrs. Bauer possesses more than a decade of teaching
experience and joined Providence Academy as a Half-Day Kindergarten
teacher. She was the Pre-school Coordinator at St. Bartholomew’s in Wayzata for ten years; she served as
director of a day-care center at St. Joseph’s parish in Hopkins; and she owns a business facilitating Davis Dyslexia Corrections. She has a
bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Kindergarten
Education from the University of Wisconsin at Stout.
Click here to email Mrs. Bauer.
Click here to access Mrs. Bauer's Web page.
HEIDI BOWMAN
Mrs. Bowman has several years of experience with elementary age students, and
has taught at St. Martin Catholic School in Rogers, Minnesota. Mrs. Bowman
teaches Kindergarten at Providence Academy. Her undergraduate degree in elementary education was received from St. Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota, and she
has a
master's degree in Curriculum and Design from St. Mary's University in Minneapolis. She has a great love for younger children and a broad commitment to education that includes international experience.
Click here to email Mrs. Bowman.
Click here to access Mrs. Bowman's Web page.
CONNIE SIMONS
Mrs. Connie Simons
teaches Kindergarten at Providence Academy. Mrs. Simons has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education
from Quincy University. She also possesses a seasoned child/classroom
perspective, derived from twelve plus years of experience as a teacher in a
Catholic school setting. She is a recognized subject matter expert in the
teaching of phonics, and was a finalist in the 1995 archdiocese’s Outstanding
Catholic School Teacher Award recognition program. Mrs. Simons has a reputation for creatively incorporating
Catholicity in lesson plans and her efforts have been featured in several
community and archdiocese publications.
Click here to email Mrs. Simons.
Click here to access Mrs. Simons' Web page.
LUCY MENZIA
Mrs. Menzia has been educating children from preschool through second grade
since earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern State
University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Before coming to teach at Providence
Academy she taught at St. Rose of Lima in Roseville and later operated “Lucy’s
Little Ones,” a licensed home childcare business. She currently teaches first
grade at the Academy.
Click here to email Mrs. Menzia.
Click here to access Mrs. Menzia's Web page.
SARAH MILLERBERND
Mrs. Millerbernd came to Providence Academy with a strong commitment to
Catholic education, most recently from St. Peter Elementary School in Delano,
Minnesota, where she has taught first grade for the
past two years. Prior to that she
served as a fourth grade teacher in a Catholic elementary school in Humboldt,
Iowa. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from South
Dakota State University, and teaches first grade at Providence.
Click here to email Mrs.
Millerbernd.
Click here to access Mrs. Millerbernd's Web page.
ROBYN STEINBRUECK
Mrs. Robyn Steinbrueck teaches first grade at Providence Academy. She has
more than fifteen years of experience, teaching a variety of grade levels. Before
joining Providence Academy, Mrs. Steinbrueck taught kindergarten and first grade
at St. Raphael School in Crystal, MN and fourth and fifth grade at Holy Family
Academy in St. Louis Park. A native of the Chicago area, Mrs. Steinbrueck has a
bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. In addition to
teaching, Mrs. Steinbrueck has assisted in the development of the vacation bible
school and Mother/Daughter program at her parish.
Click here to email Mrs.
Steinbrueck.
Click here to access Mrs. Steinbrueck's Web page.
Sarah Evens
Mrs. Sarah Evens, second grade teacher, previously taught at St. Vincent de Paul
School in Brooklyn Park, where she also taught second grade. At St. Vincent’s,
Mrs. Evens was also responsible for developing and implementing a beginning
Spanish curriculum and guided reading groups for second and third grades. She
holds her bachelor’s in elementary education from the College of St. Catherine
and her master’s in education from Hamline University.
Click here to email Mrs. Evens.
Click here to access Mrs. Even's Web page.
Sara
MOODY
Ms. Sara Moody joined the Providence Academy
staff in 2007 as a second grade teacher. She most recently worked at Holy Family Academy in St. Louis Park
where she taught both sixth grade and kindergarten. She also has experience
teaching pre-school and middle school language arts. Ms. Moody has a Bachelor of
Science degree in elementary and middle school education from the College of
Saint Catherine and is currently working on her Master's degree in education
through Saint Mary’s University. Ms. Moody also has a reputation for being
inventive and incorporating virtues into daily lessons.
Click
here to email Ms. Moody.
Click here to access Ms. Moody's Web page.
REBECCA
WELCH
Mrs. Rebecca Welch
teaches second grade at Providence Academy. She comes
with experience teaching in the Sauk Rapids/Rice School District and she was
most recently the second grade teacher at Cedarcrest Academy in Maple Grove.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from St. Cloud State
University, and focused the majority of her studies on French. While living in
St. Cloud, Mrs. Welch coached gymnastics at North Crest Gymnastics and Dance.
Click here to email Mrs. Welch.
Click here to access Mrs. Welch's Web page.
BRIAN DUDLEY
Mr. Brian Dudley
teaches third grade at Providence Academy. Mr. Dudley holds a
bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in coaching from the
University of St. Thomas. He has taught first grade at St. Columbia Catholic
School in St. Paul where his responsibilities included coaching basketball,
softball, track and hockey. Mr. Dudley also worked as a flight attendant for
Northwest Airlines before joining Providence Academy.
Click here to email Mr. Dudley.
Click here to access Mr. Dudley's Web page.
MELISSA KRCIL
Mrs. Krcil is one of our founding teachers at
Providence Academy. Prior to teaching third grade at the Academy, she served as
a fourth grade teacher at Cedarcrest Academy in Maple Grove. Mrs. Krcil brings
additional experience teaching students from the first to fifth grade levels.
Mrs. Krcil holds a bachelor’s and a master's degree in Education from the
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Click here to email
Mrs. Krcil.
Click here to access Mrs. Krcil's Web page.
SARAH
MCDERMOTT
Mrs. Sarah
McDermott teaches third grade at Providence Academy. She holds a bachelors
degree in Elementary Education from the College of St. Benedict. Mrs. McDermott
has more than thirteen years of experience, teaching a variety of grade levels.
Before joining Providence, she taught for two years at St. Philip Neri Catholic
School in Midwest City, OK and eleven years at Orono public schools. After
running a home based business for several years and working with the Randy
Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund, she worked as a reserve teacher for
two years at Providence Academy. In addition, she has been a part of the
Providence community as a parent and volunteer since the inception in 2001.
Click here to email
Mrs. McDermott.
Click here to access Mrs.
McDermott's Web page.
HEIDI
GALLUS
Mrs. Heidi
Gallus is in her ninth year of teaching in Catholic education. She serves as a
fourth grade teacher at the Academy. Prior to joining the Providence community,
she was a Youth Minister for the Catholic churches in Little Falls and taught
kindergarten at St. Francis Xavier School in Buffalo. Most recently, Mrs. Gallus served at Sts. Peter, Paul & Michael School in St. Cloud where
she taught kindergarten, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades and developed their
preschool program. Her undergraduate degree in elementary education and theology
is from the College of St. Benedict, and she has a master's degree in Education –
Catholic School Leadership from St. Mary’s University.
Click here to email
Mrs. Gallus.
Click
here to access Mrs. Gallus' Web page.
Kelly Harrington
Mrs. Kelly
Harrington joined Providence Academy in 2004 as a fourth grade teacher.
She brings much experience to Providence, having taught first, second and fourth
grades at St. Bernard’s School in St. Paul. Mrs. Harrington holds a
bachelor's in both elementary education and Spanish from the University of St.
Thomas, where she also completed her master's work in educational leadership.
She has also been involved in many other school and church activities, including
coordinating First Communion and coaching several sports.
Click here to email Mrs.
Harrington.
Click
here to access Mrs. Harrington's Web page.
CHRIS
WREDE
Mr. Chris Wrede has more than seven years of elementary teaching experience.
Before joining Providence, he taught two years at St. Rose of Lima, where he served
as both a third and fourth grade teacher. Mr. Wrede has also taught third grade
for two and a half years in the Mounds View Public Schools. During the past
five years, Mr. Wrede taught middle school religious education and Confirmation
classes at St. Rose. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of
Minnesota Duluth. Mr. Wrede brings a strong commitment to education along
with a deep sense of faith to the Lower School, where he serves as a fourth
grade teacher. Click here to
email Mr. Wrede.
Click here to access Mr. Wrede's Web page.
RACHEL
FOGLE
Mrs. Rachel Fogle
has several years of
experience teaching elementary age children, and has taught at Good Shepherd
Catholic School in Golden Valley, MN. Mrs. Fogle teaches fifth grade at
Providence Academy. Her undergraduate degree in elementary education is
from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She is currently working on
the master's degree in education from St. Mary's University in Minneapolis.
Click here to email
Mrs. Fogle.
Click here to access Mrs. Fogle's Web page.
KRISTINE
MCELROY
Mrs. Kristine
McElroy teaches fifth grade at Providence Academy. She came to Providence
Academy in 2003 after teaching fifth grade for seven years at John Ireland
Catholic School in Hopkins, MN. Prior to that, she taught in a first and second
grade classroom at Tesseract Elementary in Eagan, MN for one year. Mrs. McElroy
has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, along with a minor in music,
from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN. She also has a master’s
degree in education from the University of St. Mary’s in Winona, MN.
Click here to email Mrs.
McElroy.
Click here to access Mrs. McElroy's Web page.
BETH REOPELLE
Mrs. Reopelle came to Providence Academy from Trinity School at River Ridge,
where she gained experience from teaching math and sciences to students in
seventh through twelfth grades. She has a bachelor’s degree in Catholic Studies
and a minor in Biology from the University of St. Thomas, and has also worked as
a pharmacy technician. She also has coaching background in cross-country. Mrs.
Reopelle taught fifth grade at
Providence Academy for three years and returned to the fifth grade classroom
during the 2007-08 school year. She has
also taught in the Middle School while
launching a formal Campus Ministry
Department at Providence.
Click here to email Mrs.
Reopelle.
Click here to access Mrs. Reopelle's Web page.
Lower School Specialists
CLAIRE COMMERS
Mrs. Commers
serves as the Librarian at Providence Academy. She brings her expertise in
library development as well as her experience as librarian and media generalist
from Breck Middle School and from St. Vincent de Paul School in Brooklyn Park.
Mrs. Commers is eager to share her love and appreciation for reading and
excellent literature with the Providence Academy community. Mrs. Commers holds a
Bachelor’s degree in School and Community Health Education from the University
of Minnesota, and a Master’s degree in Library Media Education from Minnesota
State University, Mankato.
Click here to email Mrs.
Commers.
Click here to access Mrs. Commers' Web page.
JOANN
PETERSON
Miss JoAnn M.
Peterson teaches lower school music and directs Providence Academy’s string
ensemble. Prior to her work at the Academy, Miss Peterson helped create a
string program for the Eden Prairie Schools, served as the string director for
Walker West Music Academy and developed a string program for Maxfield Magnet
Elementary School in St. Paul. For the past 14 years, Miss Peterson has
given private lessons in violin, viola, cello and piano. She also works as
a freelance cellist for weddings and recording studio work. Miss Peterson
holds her bachelors of music education with an orchestral emphasis from the
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Click here to email Miss
Peterson.
Click here to access Miss Peterson's Web page.
TIM SUBIALKA
Mr. Subialka arrived at Providence Academy with
twenty years of experience teaching in Catholic education in the Twin Cities
area. Most recently, he has been at the
Church of St. Stephen School in Anoka, Minnesota. The majority of his teaching career has been spent teaching
physical education to Kindergarten through Eighth grade students and coaching
various athletics teams—last year at Providence Academy as well. He has a bachelor’s degree in Physical
Education from St. Cloud State University, and he teaches physical education at the Academy.
Click here to email Mr.
Subialka.
Click here to access Mr. Subialka's Web page.
TERESA WILSON
Mrs. Wilson brings to our Lower School extensive experience teaching elementary students. She has taught in the public schools in Battle Creek, Michigan
as both a music specialist and a classroom teacher. At St. Peter’s Catholic School in Delano, Minnesota,
Mrs. Wilson taught as an art and music specialist. She possesses a bachelor’s degree in Music from Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan and has
master’s of Music course work from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
She completed her teacher's coursework at Western Michigan University in
Kalamazoo, Michigan and holds teaching certificates in all disciplines of music
as well as an elementary-classroom teaching certificate. Previously Mrs.
Wilson taught fourth grade at the Academy, and she currently serves as a Lower
School music teacher and also conducts the Lower School Choir.
Click here to email Mrs. Wilson.
Click here to access Mrs. Wilson's Web page.
GAIL WOODBURY
Mrs. Woodbury
is a founding faculty member at Providence Academy. She has experience teaching
French in area schools, most recently with the Perpich Center for Arts Education
in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Mrs. Woodbury holds a Bachelor of Science degree
in French from the University of Minnesota as well as a certificate in French
studies from the University of Quebec, Chicoutimi. She is a licensed K-12
French teacher with experience teaching from pre-school through adult
education. In addition, she has worked for “Echanges Culturelles Internationaux,”
a French student exchange program, placing French students with American host
families. Mrs. Woodbury has honed her French skills with travel in France,
Switzerland, and extensively in Quebec.
Click here to email Mrs.
Woodbury.
Click here to access Mrs. Woodbury's Web page.
Middle and Upper School Faculty
SUSAN BEVINGTON
Mrs. Bevington is the Upper School Chemistry teacher. With a bachelor’s degree
in Textile Chemistry and master’s level coursework in Environmental Engineering
from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, she has worked in
the areas of textile chemistry, analytical chemistry, and hazardous waste
consulting. After staying home to care for her four children, she became a
licensed teacher, received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bethel University
and has taught Physical Science at Wayzata High School. She brings a wealth of
practical experience from her years working in industry and parenting to the
classroom. Click here to email Mrs.
Bevington.
Click here to access Mrs. Bevington's Web page.
BENJAMIN BLACKHAWK
Mr. Blackhawk joined Providence Academy as a Middle and Upper School
Mathematics teacher after more than fifteen years of success teaching math to
sixth through ninth grade students at St. Paul Academy and Summit School and in
the Minneapolis Public Schools. He taught Algebra for more than a decade in the
University of Minnesota's Talented Youth Mathematics Program. He teaches in a
summer Math/Science Camp for Native American students at the U of M. He also
directs the St. Raphael Choir at the Catholic parish in Crystal. He holds
bachelor's degrees in Mathematics Education and Vocal Music Education from St.
Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
Click here to email Mr.
Blackhawk.
Click here to access Mr. Blackhawk's Web page.
DR. YVONNE BOLDT
Dr. Boldt, Providence Academy’s Biology and Chemistry instructor, also serves as
chairman of the Academy's Department of Science. She earned a doctoral degree in Microbiology from the University of Minnesota. She was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University and worked as a lead scientist for a biotechnology company, Incyte Genomics, in Sunnyvale, California. She has taught microbiology at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota, and brings special professional interests in contemporary questions of science and religion. Dr. Boldt has long been active with church youth groups, and
has also taught religious education in her parish.
Click here to email Dr. Boldt.
Click here to access Dr. Boldt's Web page.
MICHAEL
BOONE
Mr. Boone teaches Industrial Arts/Engineering Lab in the Academy's Middle and
Upper Schools. He brings more than ten years of engineering, design and
manufacturing experience to Providence. During his years in industry, Mr.
Boone worked on a variety of projects, including roller coasters and Jurassic
Park dinosaurs for a theme park in Florida, biomedical machines for testing
artificial limbs and a machine to test the nozzles on space shuttle booster
rockets. During the past six years, he has also been active in mentoring
programs with middle and high school students through the Eden Prairie school
system. Mr. Boone holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in technology education from the
University of Minnesota.
Click here to email Mr.
Boone.
Click here to access Mr. Boone's Web page.
Dr. Bernard Carpenter
Dr. Carpenter teaches history. Before joining the Academy staff, Dr. Carpenter
served as an adjunct professor at Boston College in Massachusetts, where he
taught several courses in world history. Over his ten-year teaching career, Dr.
Carpenter has also worked as a private tutor and taught at both public and
private colleges. He earned his Ph.D. at Boston College and both his master’s
and his bachelor’s degrees from the University of Arizona.
Click here to email Dr.
Carpenter.
Click here to access Dr. Carpenter's Web page.
Colleen Carron
Mrs. Carron instructs a wide variety of ages in physical education. Mrs. Carron
earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Mississippi State
University. Most recently, Mrs. Carron served as the physical education and
health teacher for students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade at Benton
County Christian School in Arkansas, where she also coached the boys and girls
basketball teams. Mrs. Carron brings more than nine years of teaching and
coaching experience to Providence Academy.
Click here to email Mrs. Carron.
Click here to access Mrs. Carron's Web page.
NICOLE CLARK
Mrs. Nicole Clark
is a graduate with the highest honors from the University of Wisconsin at
LaCrosse with concentrations in both instrumental and vocal music. Her
performance background includes recitals in alto saxophone, piano and voice.
She brings to Providence Academy a diverse background in music education. In
Rice Lake, WI, she completed an internship in both middle and high school band
as well as high school choir and music theory. She served for two years as the
middle and high school choral director as well as the assistant band director in
Spring Grove, MN. Most recently she directed the two middle school bands and
the high school marching band for three years in Lake City, MN. In addition to
teaching she has served as a music director for seven years and as the assistant
and co-director of music at the Newman Center Parish in LaCrosse, WI. Mrs.
Clark will be directing the cadet, concert and symphonic bands at Providence
Academy and teaching lower and middle school general music.
Click here to email Mrs. Clark.
Click here to access Mrs. Clark's Web page.
AMY DELCOTTO
Mrs. DelCotto brings a background as an engineer
and passionate math teacher to our Middle and Upper Schools. She has served as an engineering consultant
with Booz-Allen and Hamilton in Maryland, and then as a teacher in Troy,
Michigan. Mrs. DelCotto holds a master's in
education and a bachelor's in civil and environmental engineering, both from the
University of Michigan. She has been an
adviser for student council, spirit club, and yearbook.
Click here to email Mrs.
DelCotto.
Click here to access Mrs. DelCotto's Web page.
KEVIN
DONOHUE
Mr. Kevin
Donohue teaches Spanish at Providence Academy. Spanish is his first
language, and having taught at various grade levels, he brings a sundry of
experiences to the Academy. Most recently, Mr. Donohue taught at the
University of St. Thomas. He also taught Spanish while serving as the principal
of St. Columba. Mr. Donohue developed his love for teaching while serving as a
high school teacher in both Guadalupe Alternative Programs (GAP) and at Our Lady
of Mount Carmel Mission High School In Belize, C.A. He holds a master's in
Divinity and a bachelor's from the University of Saint Thomas in St. Paul.
Click here to email Mr.
Donohue.
Click here to access Mr. Donohue's Web page.
CHRISTOPHER
DUNCAN
Mr. Duncan teaches American history and literature in Providence Academy’s
Upper School. Prior to joining the faculty at Providence, Mr. Duncan taught
middle and upper school for six years at Trinity School River Ridge in
Bloomington, Minnesota. Mr. Duncan recently earned a Juris Doctorate from the
University of St. Thomas School of Law where he served on the Editorial Board of
the St. Thomas Law Journal. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities and
Catholic Culture from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Click here to email Mr.
Duncan.
Click here to access Mr. Duncan's Web page.
BILL
FEDOCK
Mr. Bill Fedock has taught middle and upper school history (grades 6 - 12) for
22 years. He comes to Providence Academy from St. Paul Academy and Summit
School, where he taught for 12 years. Mr. Fedock's classroom experience
includes teaching economics, world history, civics, urban studies, geography and
American cultures. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Towson
University in Baltimore, MD, where he also did extensive graduate work in
economics and education. Mr. Fedock also has experience as a baseball and
softball coach and he has served as faculty coordinator for several student
organizations.
.Click here to email Mr.
Fedock.
Click here to access Mr.
Fedock's Web page.
DAN
FISHER
Mr. Fisher teaches physics, science and math in Providence Academy’s Middle and
Upper Schools. He earned his bachelor's in physics from the University of
Minnesota IT Honors Program in 2002, which included summer research projects at
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California and in the University of
Minnesota’s Space Physics Department. Mr. Fisher joins Providence Academy after
two years in the field of precision optics manufacturing and completing the
teaching licensure program at Hamline University’s Graduate School of
Education. Click here to email Mr.
Fisher.
Click here to access Mr.
Fisher's Web page.
ANNETTE HAGELBERG
Ms. Annette Hagelberg teaches Upper School math at Providence Academy and serves as chairman
of the Academy's Department of Math. She joins Providence
from Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque, Iowa. Ms. Hagelberg has more
than sixteen years of teaching experience and has served as past department
chair and on several curriculum and school improvement committees while in the
public sector. Ms. Hagelberg has also been an adjunct professor for both the
University of Northern Iowa and Upper Iowa University. She has been very
involved in her profession, spending summers in Boston and California teaching
other teachers the concepts of discrete math, technology and alternative
assessments. Ms. Hagelberg has won several awards and honors, including the
Iowa State Presidential Award for mathematics teaching, 1997 Wal-Mart
Corporation’s Teacher of the Year, and the Milken Family Foundation National
Educator Award. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from the
University of Northern Iowa and a master’s degree in secondary education from
Viterbo University.
Click here to email Ms. Hagelberg.
Click here to access Ms. Hagelberg's Web page.
DIANE
HAGNER
Ms. Diane
Hagner teaches mathematics in the Academy’s Upper School. She holds a
bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of Charleston and a master’s
in operations research from the College of William and Mary. Before joining
Providence Academy, Ms. Hagner taught mathematics for thirteen years at The
Blake School. During her tenure at Blake, Ms. Hagner also served as the
academic coordinator for ninth and tenth grades and as the upper school
registrar. Prior to teaching in independent schools, Ms. Hagner was an officer
in the United States Navy where she taught mathematics, chemistry, and radiation
theory at the United States Naval Nuclear Power School.
Click here to email Ms.
Hagner.
Click here to access Ms. Hagner's Web page.
CATHY
HECK
Mrs. Cathy Heck
instructs the Middle and Upper Schools in Foods, Textiles and Family & Consumer
Science classes. Mrs. Heck is a registered dietitian and completed her internship
at Saint Mary’s Hospital with a rotation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
She has a master’s in Food Science and Nutrition from San Jose State University
in California. For five years she served as a nutrition consultant in
physicians’ offices instructing patients on diet and disease. Mrs. Heck’s foods
classes are taught with an emphasis on food science and nutrition.
Click here to email Mrs.
Heck.
Click here to access Mrs. Heck's Web page.
EDWARD
HESTER
Mr. Hester teaches religion, English, and
economics in the Academy’s Middle and Upper Schools. Most recently, he taught
Theology and Latin at Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School in Texas. In addition
to his teaching experience, Mr. Hester also brings with him experience in both
business (from restaurant management to industrial purchasing management), and
the military (a construction surveyor in the Army Reserves/National Guard). Mr.
Hester holds a master’s degree in theology from Holy Apostles Catholic Seminary
and a bachelor’s degree in theology from Christendom College.
Click here to email Mr.
Hester.
Click here to access Mr. Hester's Web page.
DR.
ARTHUR HIPPLER
Dr. Arthur Hippler teaches religion in the Upper School at Providence
Academy. Since 2001, he has been Visiting Professor with the Institute for
Pastoral Theology of Ave Maria University. Before coming to Providence Academy,
he served the Catholic Diocese of La Crosse (Wisconsin), teaching moral theology
and social ethics in the diocesan programs for lay formation and continuing
education for teachers. He is the author of Citizens of the Heavenly City: A
Catechism of Catholic Social Teaching, published by Borromeo Books. He
received his bachelor's in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in
California, and his doctorate in Philosophy from Boston College.
Click here to email
Dr. Hippler.
Click here to access Dr. Hippler's Web page.
JOELYNN LAHR
Mrs. Lahr, Providence
Academy's Spanish teacher and Teacher Mentor program director, came from St.
Paul Academy and Summit School where she taught Middle and Upper School Spanish,
directed a student study program in Costa Rica, and a traveled with students to
Cuba. She has also taught Spanish in Rosemount, Apple Valley and at Saint John's
Preparatory School in Collegeville. Mrs. Lahr holds a bachelor’s degree in
education and Spanish from St. Cloud State University and a master’s degree in
Curriculum Design and Development from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. She
most recently directed a study and home stay trip with Providence Academy
students in Spain. The curriculum she designs and teaches is enhanced by her
experiences of having studied and lived in Mexico, Spain and England.
Click here to email Mrs. Lahr.
Click here to access Mrs. Lahr's Web page.
WILLIAM LASSETER
Mr. Lasseter has more than ten years teaching experience. Mr. Lasseter
came to Providence Academy with six years of elementary, middle, and upper
school teaching experience, the last two of which were at Trinity School at
River Ridge in Bloomington, Minnesota. He holds both a Bachelor’s Degree and a
Master’s Degree in English from the University of Dallas. He has an accomplished
professional background, including directing the men’s chant choir at the
University of Dallas and producing and directing various dramatic performances
in Irving, Texas. Mr. Lasseter serves as a teacher of literature and philosophy,
and as chairman of the Department of English.
Click here to email Mr.
Lasseter.
Click here to access Mr. Lasseter's Web page.
Roger
lipelt
Mr. Roger Lipelt
teaches physical education and history and serves as the Academy’s football coach. Before
joining the Academy, Mr. Lipelt taught U.S. History for 22 years at Wayzata High
School. During his 22-year tenure at Wayzata, Mr. Lipelt also served as head
football coach, winning nine conference championships. He holds a bachelor’s in
social science education from Hamline University and a master’s in political
science from Winona State University. Mr. Lipelt has also received numerous
professional honors during his career, including Minnesota AA Football Coach of
the year and an induction into the Hamline Alumni Hall of Fame.
Click here to email Mr. Lipelt.
Click here to access Mr. Lipelt's Web page.
Sarah Luxem
Miss Sarah Luxem
instructs Providence Academy’s Middle and Upper School students in religion and
Latin. She completed her bachelor’s degree in arts, humanities and
Catholic culture from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Before joining the
Academy faculty, Miss Luxem worked in the Office of Marriage and Family Life for
the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, where she provided research,
reviews and action plans, including a parish plan-of-action to promote the
proposed Federal Marriage Amendment.
Click here to email Miss Luxem.
Click
here to access Miss Luxem's Web page.
CHRISTINE
MALOVRH
Miss Malovrh teaches history in the Academy's Middle School. She earned her
bachelor's degrees in social studies education and history from the University
of St. Thomas. Her previous teaching experience includes instruction of both
United States and World History at Virginia Secondary School in Virginia, MN.
Miss Malovrh also serves as an RCIA sponsor at her parish.
Click here to email
Miss Malovrh.
Click here to access Miss Malovrh's Web page.
DR.
EUGENE MCMAHON
Dr. McMahon's educational career includes teaching at the elementary, secondary,
undergraduate and graduate levels in Latin, World History, School Law, Research,
Leadership, Industrial Relations and Music. He has served as the principal
of five schools before joining Providence Academy. Dr. McMahon holds a
bachelor's in Latin, a master's in teaching and an Ed.S. degree in Secondary
School Administration from the University of St. Thomas. He also holds a
doctorate in school administration from the University of Minnesota. Dr.
McMahon has held positions as Director of Summer School Programs for the
State of Minnesota, labor arbitration researcher and choir director. He
teaches Latin, sixth grade history and eighth grade music at the Academy.
Click here to email Dr.
McMahon.
Click here to access Dr.McMahon's Web page.
MICHAEL OLSON
Mr. Olson served
in Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) where he received his
Master’s of Education, Language Arts. He came to Providence Academy from
Memphis Catholic High School in Tennessee where he taught English and Religion
and coached Basketball and Soccer. At Providence Academy, Mr. Olson served as
the school’s founding Athletics Coordinator from 2001-2003, and he taught Middle
and Upper School courses in English and Literature, Religion, and Health.
Currently, he teaches 8th and 9th Grade English and
Literature, coaches Varsity Girls and JV Boys Tennis, and is the faculty advisor
of the Middle School Student Council.
Click here to email Mr. Olson.
Click here to access Mr. Olson's Web page.
CATHRYN QUINN
Mrs. Quinn lends more than 15 years of teaching experience to Providence Academy.
Although her primary concentration has been teaching upper elementary grades,
she has taught every grade from pre-kindergarten to twelfth. Mrs. Quinn was a parent educator and
Early Childhood Specialist for Detroit Lakes Public Schools, and served as a
Gifted and Talented teacher for the public school system in Frazee, MN. Mrs.
Quinn holds a bachelor's in Elementary Education with a concentration in Biology from
the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. She teaches in the Academy's
Middle School. Click
here to email Mrs. Quinn.
Click here to access Mrs. Quinn's Web page.
DARREN
ROUSAR
Mr. Rousar brings more than ten years of
experience teaching fine art to Providence Academy. He has previously
served as assistant director and an instructor at Charles Cecil Studios in
Florence, Italy and vice president of The Minnesota River School of Fine Art in
Burnsville. During his tenure at The Minnesota River School, he also
served as an instructor and led art-based tours of Italy, England and Spain.
He
attended Atelier Lack and Atelier LeSueur, both in Minnesota, as well as Studio
Cecil-Graves in Florence, Italy. He has been a practicing professional artist
for more than 20 years, focusing mainly on Christian themes. Mr. Rousar
teaches art and art history at Providence.
Click here to email Mr. Rousar.
Click here to access Mr. Rousar's Web page.
CHRISTOPHER SANTER
Mr. Christopher Santer is an award-winning artist with an extensive professional
exhibition and commission record. His original paintings and drawings have been
included in a variety of gallery and museum exhibitions from California to
Georgia. Prints of selected commissioned artworks for churches and schools hang
in 46 states in the United States, and in Canada, Australia and England. Some
recent honors include the McKnight Foundation Fellowship for Visual Artists for
2004, and a featured profile in the national publication, New American
Paintings, Volume 47. He taught studio art classes at Ohio University in
Athens, Ohio, where he received a master’s degree in painting. His
undergraduate degree in commercial design and illustration was completed at the
University of Dayton, in Ohio. He has additional experience working with young
people through four years of service with NET Ministries of West St. Paul, and
through his work for the Minnesota Historical Society at the State Capitol. Mr.
Santer teaches art for portions of the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.
Click here to email Mr. Santer.
Click here to access Mr. Santer's Web page.
ADAM
SCHMALZBAUER
Mr. Adam C.
Schmalzbauer serves as an Upper School English teacher at Providence.
Responsible for instructing the Senior English Seminar and teaching British
Literature to the freshmen, Mr. Schmalzbauer is also Providence Academy’s
instructor for Lifetime and Athletic Fitness in addition to running the Summer
Strength and Conditioning program for Providence students. A multi-sport coach,
Mr. Schmalzbauer is the Head Coach for the Lions’ Junior Varsity Boys Basketball
team as well as serving as the Offensive Linemen Coach for Providence Academy’s
Varsity Football team. Mr. Schmalzbauer is an alumnus of Saint John’s
University where he minored in Spanish literature before earning a bachelor’s in
English Teaching from Winona State University. Mr. Schmalzbauer, who came to
Providence from Rochester Lourdes High School, holds the distinction of being a
professional writer, having published a series of sports history books for
students. Click here to email Mr.
Schmalzbauer.
Click here to access Mr. Schmalzbauer's Web page.
MICHAEL SEIFFERT
Mr. Seiffert, chairman of the Academy's Department of Health and Economics, has a
strong commitment to physical education, health, and athletics. He has most recently been teaching Physical
Education in the Osseo/Maple Grove school district. He also has extensive experience in the field of golf as a Golf
Professional, a coach, and a player. Mr. Seiffert
possesses a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health from St. Cloud
State University, and a master's in teaching and learning from St. Mary's
University. He serves as a physical education teacher and coach
at the Academy. Click
here to email Mr. Seiffert.
Click here to access Mr. Seiffert's Web page.
ELISE SHEEHAN
Mrs. Sheehan came
to Providence Academy with twenty-four years of experience as a Medical
Technologist and several years of teaching experience at John Ireland Catholic
School in Hopkins and a semester at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. She holds a
bachelor’s degree in Biology from the State University of New York at Geneseo
and a master's in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas. She has a great
deal of passion for science and its practical implications and a great devotion
to Catholic education.
Click here to email Mrs.
Sheehan.
Click here to access Mrs. Sheehan's Web page.
MEGAN
SIMONSON
Mrs. Simonson
teaches English in Providence Academy's Middle and Upper Schools. A graduate of
Saint Mary's University in Winona, she has a bachelor's in English Literature
and a master's in Instruction. She has previously taught at Lourdes High School
in Rochester, and Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria. Mrs. Simonson
has experience teaching a wide variety of English curricula, and has also had experience
coaching track and field and competitive Speech.
Click here to email Mrs.
Simonson.
Click here to access Mrs. Simonson's Web page.
DAVID
SORKIN
Mr. Sorkin serves as a Music Generalist and Vocal Music teacher at
Providence Academy. He is also the chairman of Providence Academy's
Department of Fine Arts and serves as the Student Conduct Dean. A graduate of St. Olaf College with a degree in Church
Music, he has worked as a choir teacher and director at St. Agnes High School in
St. Paul. Mr. Sorkin assisted with musical preparation for Pope John Paul II’s
1999 visit to the United States, and is a professional organist.
Click here to email Mr. Sorkin.
Click here to access Mr. Sorkin's Web page.
Click here for Sacred Concert practice
pieces.
DEBRA
SPEARS
Mrs. Debra
Spears teaches personal finance/economics and the keyboarding and word
processing courses in the Academy’s Middle and Upper Schools. Before joining
the Providence Academy faculty, Mrs. Spears worked for General Mills in finance
and accounting. While at General Mills she gained practical business skills and
knowledge, which are an asset to the courses she teaches. Mrs. Spears received
her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and General Management from Purdue
University.
Click
here to email Mrs. Spears.
Click here to access Mrs. Spears' Web page.
ELIZABETH
STACHOUR
Mrs. Stachour teaches Middle and Upper School French and publications at Providence
Academy. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary
Education-French from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mrs. Stachour has also spent a summer
in Québec, studying French at Université Laval. She has traveled to both Québec
and France. Most recently, Mrs. Stachour taught French at Perpich Center for Arts
Education in Golden Valley, Minnesota. In addition, she has taught French in
Wisconsin and both French and History in Illinois. She brings more than
ten
years of teaching experience to Providence Academy.
Click here to email Mrs. Stachour.
Click here to access Mrs.
Stachour's Web page.
Dr. William Stevenson
Dr. William
Stevenson is Director of Theology and Religion and chairman of the Department of
Theology. Dr. Stevenson has served on the faculties of the Theology
department and the Catholic Studies department at the University of St. Thomas,
and of the Great Books program at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. He
holds a Ph.D. from Boston College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of St
Thomas, and did additional undergraduate work at Moody Bible Institute in
Chicago. Click here to
email Dr. Stevenson.
Click
here to access Dr. Stevenson's Web page.
MICHAEL TIFFANY
Mr. Tiffany serves as chairman of the Department of World Languages and as
Academic Dean in the Upper School. He also teaches Latin, Debate, and
photography at the Academy. In prior years he conducted the Academy’s
accreditation process and taught art, studio art, industrial art, Publications,
and science. He is accomplished in art, industrial design and drafting,
classics, literature, speech, journalism, and computers. He holds degrees in
English and Ancient Greek from the University of Minnesota, and has completed
advanced graduate studies in the Classics. Mr. Tiffany came to Providence
Academy from St. Paul Academy and Summit School.
Click here
to email Mr. Tiffany.
Click
here to access Mr. Tiffany's Web page.
BRIAN
TREXEL
Mr. Trexel serves
as Coordinator of Campus Ministry, bringing thirty years of experience in youth
ministry. He also teaches 8th grade Old Testament at Providence.
For the past 15 years, he has been executive director of Youth Adventures, an
outdoor mentoring ministry of which he is also founder. Mr. Trexel has led
summer fishing retreats in Montana for Providence Upper School students for the
past three years. A recent convert to the Catholic faith, he holds degrees from
Moody Bible Institute and Northwestern College.
Click here to email
Mr. Trexel.
Click here to access Mr.
Trexel's Web page.
MELISSA ZAK
Miss Zak teaches in the Middle and Upper School drama programs. She received her
bachelor's degree in Theater from North
Central University, and has worked, directed, and performed with the Children’s
Theater Company, the Hennepin Center for the Performing Arts, and with Emmrich
Theater Production in North Carolina.
Click here to email Miss Zak.
Click here to access Ms. Zak's Web page.
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