August 9, 2017
Enjoy these extended profiles of the amazing faculty and staff joining our community in the 2017-18 school year!
Mr. Dylan Brodeur
What position will you be holding? Fourth Grade Teacher
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I majored in philosophy at Tufts University and earned my Master of Arts in teaching at Brandeis University.
What school/organization are you coming from? I previously taught third grade at the Downey School in Westwood, Massachusetts.
What did you find appealing about MPA? I was drawn to MPA because of its focus on building character and on student-driven academics.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? I am looking forward to reading the stories that my students will write.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? My son is two and a half, and his new favorite game is “going to work,” which can involve a toy toolset, a ukulele, and/or crawling into a large cardboard box.
Mr. Thomas Connors
What position will you be holding? Custodial Supervisor
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. Industrial Tech, Rhode Island College. Telecommunications Specialist, U.S. Coast Guard.
What school/organization are you coming from? North Central University
What did you find appealing about MPA? Working with Vern Kissner!
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Working with the MPA staff and faculty.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I love the outdoors … camping, hiking, golf, boating, hunting. I am fluent in Morse Code, which I learned during my time in the Coast Guard. I also play the drums.
Ms. Ashley Cooper
What position will you be holding? Middle & Upper School Counselor
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in family social science. In 2015, I completed my master’s degree in counseling psychology at Bethel University in Saint Paul. I’m currently seeking my professional clinical counseling license.
What school/organization are you coming from? I most recently completed two years as a School-Linked Mental Health Therapist at Thad Wilderson & Associates, where I conducted individual and family psychotherapy with students in grades K-12 at various Saint Paul Public Schools. Prior to my role as a mental health therapist, I worked at MPA for seven years as a staff member with Breakthrough Twin Cities.
What did you find appealing about MPA? MPA is a tight-knit, holistic, and student-focused community. I am inspired by the continuous rays of curiosity, kindness, intentionality, innovation, and love of learning that emulates from faculty, staff, administrators, and students alike. We are a building of learners and “do-good”ers!
What are you most looking forward to this school year? I am most looking forward to building personal relationships with MPA students and families this year!
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I’ll be marrying an MPA alum and running my fifth marathon in New York City in November 2017!
Ms. Lauren Hernandez
What position will you be holding? Communications and Marketing Coordinator/Graphic Designer
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I graduated from DePaul University in 2016 with a bachelor’s in journalism.
What school/organization are you coming from? North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois.
What did you find appealing about MPA? From the start, MPA was warm and welcoming. I could immediately tell that students, faculty, and staff all love coming here to dream big and do right every single day.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Becoming part of this wonderful community!
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I love to paint, draw, and write.
Ms. Ariel Kitch
What position will you be holding? PreK-12 Curriculum and Technology Integration Specialist
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I grew up in Oregon, attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and then lived in a few places (including Minnesota). I got my master’s in technology education at Columbia University Teachers College.
What school/organization are you coming from? Friends Seminary, a private Quaker school in NYC
What did you find appealing about MPA? The positive comments I heard from current students, parents and teachers. The sense that students were personally invested in their own education.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Getting to know everyone. Collaborating and coming up with new ideas! Trying out new projects.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I am really looking forward to being outdoors more after living in NYC. Camping, cycling, and skiing tips appreciated!
Mr. Doug Pittman
What position will you be holding? Food Service Director
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. Johnson and Wales University, Culinary Arts
What school/organization are you coming from? Vic’s Restaurant
What did you find appealing about MPA? The campus, the area, and the friendly people. Very professional.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Preparing new menu items with a focus on scratch cooking. Mostly meeting my new Guests—the kids, staff, and parents.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I love making people happy with my cooking. I’m hard working and dependable.
Ms. Jess Powell
What position will you be holding? Middle School Physical Education and Health Teacher
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. Graduated from University of Minnesota, Duluth, in 2008. My master’s degree is from St. Mary’s University.
What school/organization are you coming from? Marshall School, an independent 4-12 school in Duluth.
What did you find appealing about MPA? The MPA community is very welcoming, kind, and cares for all learners.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Meeting all the new students and faculty.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I grew up in Inver Grove Heights and have lived in Duluth for the last 14 years. My husband and I are excited to be closer to family and can’t wait for new adventures. We have a bulldog/puggle named Ruxin.
Mr. Tim Sheehan
What position will you be holding? Lower School/Upper School Physical Education and Health Teacher
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I grew up in La Crescent, Minnesota and attended La Crescent High School. I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas.
What school/organization are you coming from? Woodbury Leadership Academy
What did you find appealing about MPA? I was a student teacher with Mr. Scinto and Mr. McGaha in 2008 while I was at St. Thomas, and I had a wonderful experience. All of the faculty, staff, students, and parents were so welcoming. Since then, I have loved getting to know the community even better through coaching girls soccer and boys basketball at MPA.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? I’m most looking forward to the opportunity to get to know the students and families at MPA!
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I met my wife, a 2003 MPA graduate, while we were coaching at MPA in 2009 and we are expecting our first child in August!
Ms. Becky Tesdahl
What position will you be holding? Lower School Administrative Assistant
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in sociology.
What school/organization are you coming from? My previous title was financial operations coordinator at CBRE in Bloomington/Edina. Prior to working at CBRE, I worked as an administrative assistant at Menasha Packaging in Lakeville.
What did you find appealing about MPA? The strong sense of culture and community at MPA was very evident to me during the interview process, and that was a huge selling point to me. I am excited to be able to associate myself with such a positive and successful school.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? I am very excited to start this new adventure with MPA! I look forward to meeting and getting to know the students, their families and the staff. I can’t wait to learn more about the school and get involved with everything it has to offer.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I just recently moved to Woodbury and got married in June! My husband Bryce is a teacher at East Ridge High School in Woodbury and is also the Boys Basketball Coach. When I am not at work, I love watching Bryce coach by going to his basketball games, exercising, being outside, and spending time with friends and family.
The hallways were filled with joyful children and their families and the classrooms were bustling with first day of school information and activities.
What is a timeless toy that inspires play and creativity for all ages? LEGO, of course! During the month of September, the Makerspace will be collecting new and used LEGO. Donations can be dropped off in the Development Office in Lower School. We are requesting the LEGO brand specifically—no other brands please. We are not collecting DUPLO, the LEGO designed for toddlers. Thank you in advance for your support of this incredible new space!
Dear MPA,
Hey, MPA!
Thank you to Henry Peterson for sharing his incredible summer adventure with the MPA community! 
Several of our young alums shared their summer endeavors with current families in a publication we call Welcome Home. Here is the first in a series of three. Enjoy!
The MPArors, MPA’s robotics team, joined 20 other teams in an event called “Robots Invade the Plaza,” hosted by 3M on August 4. The event was a celebration of robotics by many of the teams that benefit from 3M’s support.
Munira Khalif ’15 is a Mounds Park Academy young alum studying economics and government at Harvard University. She co-founded a youth-run non-profit organization during her time at MPA called Lighting the Way, making education more accessible for girls in East Africa. When MPA announced that she had been accepted to all eight Ivy League schools, the story went viral around the world.
In what grade did you come to MPA? 2nd