Middle School Archives

BOLD: Building Opportunities for Learning Distinction

September 1, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Several years ago, I remember learning from one of our MPA parents about the new 3M research and development lab built along McKnight Road on the 3M campus. Its design was intentional, bringing together scientists from a number of divisions in a space that spurred collaboration and innovation. In addition, 3M has a long-standing practice that allows scientists to spend 15% of their time on a project of their choice. 3M knows that innovation requires time to create, space (physical and figuratively) to collaborate, and resources for implementation.

Tomorrow is the first of four BOLD days that will occur throughout the school year. BOLD stands for Building Opportunities for Learning Distinction and flows directly from 2024ward, our strategic plan. Priority One of 2024ward boldly calls for us to “create custom and personalized pathways of learning for students oriented towards achieving mastery through curricular innovation and by leveraging advances in educational technology.” I get a lot of grief for using the word “bold” as an anachronym, but I like it because it conveys urgency, courage, and confidence to meet the new and emerging needs of our students. Read More

Middle School Division News September 1, 2022

September 1, 2022

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School division director

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year!
Every other week the Middle School News and Notes will come to you in the Panther Post with highlights of upcoming events, information about what’s happening in our neck of the woods, the all-important list of dates for your family calendar, and usually a little about what I’m thinking about or what may be helpful to you as you move through this parenting-of-middle-schoolers journey together. I hope you’ll look for them each week and that they are helpful!

Study Hall and Panther Den
A few years ago, now we began offering a one-hour study hall immediately after school (3:10-4 PM). It was a huge success as it offers students a quiet, structured, and monitored place to get some work done before heading home for the evening. I have seen happy parents with less homework to manage at night and have heard students gleefully share the list of assignments or tasks they were able to finish in just the short 50 minutes with real focus and attention.

For study hall to be productive and helpful, we share the following expectations with students:

No cell phones are allowed. The same rules that apply during the regular school day apply in study hall. Cell phones should be “off-and-away”.
No earbuds/listening to music while working. I have explained to students that research and science on the brain and learning teaches us that when we focus on fewer things, even one at a time, we work more efficiently and more successfully. Music is a distraction to manage and 45 minutes with no music or distraction can make for a much more productive time.
Games or videos on school computers are also not allowed – this is a quiet time to get homework finished or to read a book. The teachers supervising study hall can direct computers be put away completely if needed.
Collaborative/group work is not ideal for this setting and students should be encouraged to work on independent tasks as much as is possible.
Students may bring a quiet and not-messy snack to study hall, if they’d like.

Only At MPA

August 25, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I was taken aback yesterday morning when I drove into the north parking lot at 6:10 AM and saw it was filled with cars. I am used to being the first one at school in the morning and was completely disoriented. Then I remembered that this year’s senior class began a new tradition, gathering in the Benz Courtyard together at sunrise to launch their senior year. My first reaction was, “Only at MPA!.” This new tradition, initiated by the seniors, is a wonderful example of what makes MPA such a special school.

I want to officially welcome you to a new school year! I especially welcome our new families who have recently joined the MPA family. It was wonderful to meet and greet so many of you at the Back To School and New Family Orientation event. The deep-seated spirit of joyfulness and community was palpable, and although I was exhausted, it was hard for me to fall asleep Monday night. After two years of health and safety restrictions, it was gratifying to be back together and in person.

In my welcoming remarks to new families, I spoke of the strong partnership between parents and the school. In many independent schools, this special relationship tends to be transactional, built upon the expectation of reciprocity, of both parties getting what they want from one another. I have long felt that the relationship between MPA parents and school is more transformational. In a transformational relationship, there exists a mutual trust built upon shared values and a belief that an MPA education is a partnership in our children’s ongoing growth and development.

Welcome to MPA, Samah Fahmy!

August 25, 2022

What position will you be holding at MPA?
Middle and Upper School visual arts teacher

From what school/organization are you coming?
Woodbury Leadership Academy / St. Croix Prep

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I hold a B.A. in Fine Art. I have worked for the past 17 years in the South Washington County School District as a community ed. art teacher, for levels K-Adult. I have designed a curriculum that both pleases students and follows state art standards.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA has a wonderful community and is known for its outstanding academics and development of the student holistically.

What’s your big dream?
To see my daughters prosper in a diverse and equitable world.

What are you (and your family, if you so choose) passionate about?
We are passionate about travel, art, music, swimming, golf and various felines. We feel strongly about giving back and volunteering at school, and spend on average 20 hours a month volunteering.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
We have traveled to many countries and love to share our experiences.

Welcome to MPA, Mary Dunkel!

August 25, 2022

What position will you be holding at MPA?
School nurse

From what school/organization are you coming?
Before being a stay at home mom, I was a LSN for the Minneapolis Public Schools.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I received my BSN degree and PHN certification from Metropolitan State University. I have worked as a hospital nurse, a home care nurse and a Clinical Nurse Manager for the HealthEast care system (now Fairview). Finally, I was a LSN for the Minneapolis Public schools before staying at home to care for my children.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The first time I walked into MPA I was amazed by the nurturing environment and warm atmosphere MPA creates.

What’s your big dream?
My big dream is to live long and stay healthy enough to enjoy grandkids!

What are you (and your family, if you so choose) passionate about?
I have always been the type of person who enjoys helping others, challenging situations and solving problems. Likewise, I have a strong passion for education. This is why I love the role school nursing because I believe that healthy children are better learners.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
A “fun fact” about me is that I am the mother of twins.

Welcome to MPA, Meem Fahlstrom!

August 25, 2022

What position will you be holding at MPA?
Middle School Spanish Teacher

Tell us about your education and past experience.
My favorite job was being a 2-week program facilitator for a Spanish camp, El lago del bosque, Concordia Language Villages. I got my masters in World Language Instruction through Concordia College. I’ve taught at Armstrong High School, Totino-Grace high school, The Churchill School and Center (For Students With Language Based Learning Disabilities), and Wayzata public schools. I’ve led trips to México, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and France. I’ve lived in Chile and Ecuador.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA feels like home. Everyone that works here is here for the students and there is a high degree of innovation. I worked with K-5 students last year and knew it was the place for me.

What’s your big dream?
My big dream is to write a Minneapolis-based dystopian YA novel.

What are you (and your family, if you so choose) passionate about?
I love plants, biking, improv comedy, reading fiction, and writing short stories. My partner and I love Minneapolis and knitting. I grew up surrounded by Croatian elders. I only have one great aunt left who lives in Leetonia (near Hibbing) and I enjoy spending time with her up north. I am passionate about my two nieces (one from each of my brothers).

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I am a licensed Biology teacher, but each year I choose to teach Spanish. Also, I’m trans non-binary and my pronouns are they/them.

Welcome to MPA, Patti Meras!

August 25, 2022

What position will you be holding at MPA?
Middle School Dean

From what school/organization are you coming?
Georgetown Day School

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have been a middle school English and social studies teacher for the majority of my career, and I hold a BA in English and an MA in Special Education. I began in southern California in 1996 teaching English in public schools. In 2005, my native MN called me back (as anyone who has left MN knows, it has a way of bringing you back). Shortly after returning, I joined MPA. I spent the next 15 years embedded in the joy and delightful quirkiness that is the MPA middle school community before embarking on a new adventure. For the past two years, I was the Middle School English Department Chair at Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC; then I lived abroad in Germany. Once again, I returned to my native MN, and I am so happy to be back in this welcoming community.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The first day I toured the halls of MPA in 2005, an upper school student looked up from their computer with a genuine smile and greeted by name the 4th grade teacher who was walking with me. I immediately knew this was a special place. MPA is home. It is my village. My colleagues, my students, and the families make this a magical place that celebrates the individual and nurtures creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. I am challenged and supported every day.

What’s your big dream?
I want to participate in the McMurdo Station Antarctic Austral Summer program (If you have not seen A Year on Ice, go watch it).

What are you (and your family, if you so choose) passionate about?
I am passionate about serving others, and I want to instill this passion in those around me. When my children were school-aged, we would spend our summers overseas working at English immersion camps, volunteering in orphanages in Peru, working with youth in Nicaragua, and other such service opportunities. As a member of the MS community, I have loved being a part of many service projects and activities over the years. It is a joy to witness our young people giving of themselves and volunteering their time while expanding their worldview and learning about perspective taking, compassion, and empathy.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I am a Peanuts fanatic and Snoopy is my favorite. You can usually find me with a Snoopy coffee mug.

Welcome to MPA, Lukas Skrove!

August 22, 2022

What position will you be holding at MPA?
Middle School Band Director

From what school/organization are you coming?
Robbinsdale Area Schools

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Secondary Education Certification at the University of Minnesota Morris. After graduating in 2014 I acquired a multi-building teaching position in the Robbinsdale Area Schools District and the Mount Olivet School of Music. Over the last eight years I have worked both as a music educator and freelance musician in the greater Minneapolis/St.Paul area. Teaching and performing music has been a dream of mine since I was in Middle School. It brings me great joy to share my experiences and stories with students. Read More

Welcome to MPA, Chad DeBruzzi!

August 20, 2022

What position will you be holding at MPA?
Upper School Math Teacher

From what school/organization are you coming?
Anoka Hennepin Public Schools

Tell us about your education and past experience.
Nineteen years of teaching in public and charter schools, as well as higher education. I hold a Masters in education focused on teaching math. I also hold a principal license and an education specialist degree.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I fell in love with MPA when I saw my children start to flourish for the first time in their school careers. Before MPA they couldn’t tell you what their strengths were. Now, they know their strengths and how to help others with those strengths!

What’s your big dream?
I always wanted to travel the world and meet wise people from different cultures and record their wisdom.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
My family and I love playing board games, video games, jackbox tv: anything that involves playful banter and unpredictability! I am also passionate about Minnesota sports!

Welcome to MPA, Dinah MacPhail!

August 17, 2022

What position will you be holding at MPA?
Fifth and eighth grade social studies teacher

From what school/organization are you coming?
Saint Paul Academy

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I fell into teaching as a summer job in 2008, and then kept coming back to it until I realized how much I loved it. I started at the Carroll School in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and have since taught in Massachusetts and Minnesota, and in almost every grade (except pre-k). Before I became a licensed teacher, I also taught wine tasting classes as a wine sales rep and cheese monger.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The incredible positivity, the honest and vulnerable reflective practices, and the authentic emphasis on community.

What’s your big dream?
To love what I do, and to do what I love, both without reservation. Read More