Faculty And Staff Experience Archives

July 22, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Nan Wang! Ms. Wang is set to join as the Upper School Chinese teacher, and we are so excited to introduce her to our community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Cretin-Derham Hall.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I got my bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, majoring in math and economics, and received a Master’s Degree of Science in actuarial science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have been teaching beginning to advanced-level Chinese for more than ten years. I love teaching about my native language and culture.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
What I love the most about MPA is the inclusive culture. All students are happy here, and my daughter loves going to school. Also, all the faculty I met are very open and friendly. Read More

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Meg Wilkening ’18!

July 22, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Meg Wilkening ‘18! With a well-established connection to Mounds Park Academy, also having been on the speech and debate coaching staff, Ms. Wilkening now joins the Lower School as a fourth-grade teacher.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I have been coaching debate at MPA for the last five years. This will be my first year as a full-time teacher!

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a degree in political science from the University of Minnesota. I attended law school for a year at St. Louis University, but realized I missed working with students at MPA. After completing my first year of law school, I switched to a master’s in education program at the University of St. Thomas. I am scheduled to graduate with a master’s in elementary education in 2026.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
How much time do you have to listen to what I love about MPA? Seriously—I graduated from MPA in 2018, have coached at MPA for the last five years, and am beyond excited to start teaching here. I have lifelong friends from my graduating class and use skills I learned as an MPA student every day. I have been blown away by the passion, talent, hard work, and intelligence of MPA’s students in my years as a coach (and have enjoyed winning several state debate championships!) MPA feels like home to me.
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Welcome To MPA, Mr. Aaron Hokanson!

July 22, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Mr. Aaron Hokanson! Mr. Hokanson is joining the community as a fourth-grade teacher, and we are so excited to introduce him.

From what school/organization are you coming?
For the past several years, I’ve been a stay-at-home father, focused on raising my three children and supporting my wife’s career as a writer, educator, and public speaker.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I hold a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Minnesota, a Master’s of Teaching from the University of Melbourne, and a B.A. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. My experience spans elementary teaching, college instruction, teacher education, and writing support. I previously taught first grade in Australia and have worked with both pre-service and practicing teachers in Minnesota. I’ve also worked with community organizations in the Twin Cities, supporting adult English learners and participating in cross-cultural initiatives as an educator, researcher, and community member. I’m excited to return to the classroom full-time.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
My first experience with MPA came through my wife’s younger brother, who attended from first through eighth grade. He lived with us from fourth grade, and I saw how MPA nurtured both his curiosity and his confidence. Even as a quieter student, he was seen, heard, and supported by the teachers, staff, and administration. MPA created space for him to grow into himself. That experience left a positive impression on me. Read More

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Emma Stacy ’15!

July 21, 2025

Welcome back to MPA, Ms. Emma Stacy ‘15! Ms. Stacy—an MPA Lifer—returns to MPA as an Upper School chemistry teacher, and we are thrilled to welcome her again to the community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked previously for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I got my undergraduate degree in chemistry at Scripps College, where I tutored students in science courses, and my master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Edinburgh. I’ve worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Duluth for the past four years as an analytical chemist working on ecological toxicology studies with fish and frogs.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I attended MPA K-12, so it feels like home to me. It’s such a special community where every student is provided the opportunity to explore their passions to the fullest, and where teachers build meaningful relationships with students that foster both academic and personal growth. The students at MPA are uniquely passionate and invested in learning, and I can’t wait to return to share my excitement for science with them.
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Welcome to MPA, Ms. Maria Smith!

June 9, 2025

Welcome to the MPA faculty, Ms. Maria Smith! Ms. Smith will be joining us in July as a PreK teacher, and we are thrilled to introduce her to our community. As the parent of two alums, she may be a familiar face to many!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Holy Spirit School in St. Paul.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the College of St. Catherine. For over 20 years, I have taught in private schools in both primary and early childhood classrooms. For the last nine years, I have been the preschool director at Holy Spirit School in St. Paul. I am passionate about what I do as it is a formative and magical stage in a child’s development. I take pride in honoring each student’s individuality and am dedicated to meeting them where they are by nurturing their growth with empathy and respect while inspiring a love of learning.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
Since joining the MPA community seven years ago as a parent, I have been consistently inspired by its warm, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere. There is an energy and magic specific only to MPA that I feel each time I’m on campus. With my son graduating from MPA in 2022 and my daughter graduating this spring, our family’s journey at MPA has been deeply meaningful, and this community holds a special place in my heart. After witnessing firsthand the care, attention, and dedication shown to MPA students, I am eager to join the teaching staff and contribute to the growth, joy, and development of our youngest learners. Read More

Welcome to MPA, Mr. James Ewer!

May 2, 2025

Mr. James Ewer will be joining us as Lower School director beginning July 1, 2025. Mr. Ewer brings with him a powerful blend of experience, conviction, and vision that will serve the Lower School—and the entire MPA community—exceptionally well. We are thrilled to introduce him to our community!

Tell us about your education and past experience.
For the past 14 years, I’ve dedicated my life to education—working across classrooms, leadership teams, and communities to create spaces where every child feels seen, challenged, and inspired. My journey has taken me from the front lines of teaching to the strategic work of school leadership, professional development, and instructional coaching. Along the way, I’ve led teams, reimagined systems, and built programs grounded in equity, joy, and high expectations.

I hold a master’s degree in school leadership from Harvard University, where I deepened my commitment to transformative, culturally responsive education. My work is rooted in the belief that education should be liberatory, and that the way we lead matters just as much as what we teach.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
This community feels truly special. From the moment I stepped in, there was a sense of warmth and honesty that stood out. People didn’t just share logistics or expectations—they shared their hopes and dreams. That openness, that willingness to be vulnerable and visionary at the same time, is what I felt most connected to. It reminded me that the heart of any thriving community isn’t just in its plans, but in the people who dare to imagine what’s possible together.
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Welcome Back To MPA, Michelle Korbel ’10!

April 7, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Michelle Korbel! Ms. Korbel will hold the position of director of human resources, and we are excited to introduce her to the community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked most recently for ArchKey Parsons Electric.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have my BA degree in Psychology from the College of Saint Benedict. After college, I spent a year volunteering with Americorps, helping individuals with barriers to employment find work. I’ve been doing HR for ten years now in banking, healthcare, and construction. Very excited to bring my HR experience to MPA.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA is a special community that I feel so lucky to have been a part of growing up. I graduated in 2010 and went to school at MPA from kindergarten to 12th grade. I built amazing relationships with friends, faculty, and staff during my years as a student. When I heard about the opening, I jumped on it. I’m really looking forward to re-establishing old relationships, building new ones, and working together to enrich the employment experience at MPA.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
My goal is to enrich and enhance the employment experience at MPA by providing meaningful and valuable resources to, collaborating with, and supporting MPA employees. This will, in turn, help and empower employees to focus on their students, knowing they have an advocate in HR ready to listen and support them.
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Welcome To MPA, Ms. Deb Stone!

February 19, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Deb Stone! Nurse Deb will be the part-time school nurse, pairing with Ms. Emily Kang, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I was the school nurse at Perpich Arts High School in Golden Valley for the last three years.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a BA in Nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA appealed to me because of the student population, PreK-12. I really enjoy working with students of all ages, and I missed working at my last school, which was only 11-12.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
As a school nurse, I see my role as a support person to support all students and staff so the students can be as successful as they can be on their education journey here at MPA. In addition to supporting students with their health needs, I also strive to create a peaceful environment in the health office where everyone feels welcome and safe.
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Welcome To MPA, Ms. Allie DeLeo!

February 6, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Allie DeLeo! Ms. DeLeo will take over as our accounts payable, payroll, and student billing coordinator, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I’ve spent the last 10 years working in the business office at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where I also received my Bachelor of Fine Arts.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA’s community of innovative thinkers, creative makers, and purposeful achievers made an instant impression on me.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I value kindness and empathy and strive to make a positive impact on those around me. I’m always lunging forward to offer a helping hand, and I look forward to engaging with the community at MPA in any way that I can. Read More

Please Welcome Back Ms. Sarah McFarland To MPA!

January 17, 2025

MPA is excited to announce the return of Ms. Sarah McFarland! She will take over as a long-term substitute physical education and health teacher and will teach fifth-grade health, fifth through seventh-grade P.E., and ninth and 10th-grade P.E. We are thrilled to reintroduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I previously taught at MPA before teaching middle school math at a local public school.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I am a familiar face at MPA, returning after a brief hiatus teaching middle school math at a local public school. While new to the Middle and Upper School P.E. department, I’ve worn many hats over the years (math, English, ESL/AL&C, Program coordinator) and am super excited to don this one, too!

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I love MPA’s gentle embrace of the awesome, quirky, and depthless potential of every student—especially the Middle Schoolers who are near and dear to my heart. Likewise, I have found community here (for my own quirky, awesome self!) that cannot be matched anywhere else. There is so much good to be found here!

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I simply want to carry students kindly and thoughtfully through this ever-changing world and their ever-changing selves. I hope they see themselves as dynamic, amazing, forever-learning, endlessly capable humans who strive to dream big while doing right.
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