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 8^th and 9^th 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 8^th 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.