My MPA Experience Archives

July 24, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Mindy Ruane! Later this fall, Mindy will join us as a Middle School English teacher. We can’t wait to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I’m returning to the classroom after a break raising my own kids! Most recently, I have been taking short and long-term substitute teaching positions at MPA, as well as teaching online graduate students.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
Students, their families, and teachers have been at the center of all of my working experiences. I started my career teaching in a third-grade classroom in Arizona and have held additional teaching and social work roles in Chicago and Minneapolis. Additionally, I have worked to support other teachers at Teach For America and as an online instructor at Johns Hopkins University Graduate School of Education. After several years of substitute teaching across divisions here at Mounds Park Academy, I am thrilled to be joining the team in a full-time capacity.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
Two of the things I find most appealing about MPA are the joyful learning environment and the outstanding sense of community. From Makerspace collaborations to engaging classroom activities, lessons and labs to social outings, field trips, I-term, and more; MPA is intentionally working to keep the joy in students’ school experience. All students are well known by the MPA community. Parents go out of their way to support the school in every way, teachers are accessible, and the students are curious, thoughtful, and capable.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
The teachers I remember most fondly were the ones who opened my mind to new perspectives and challenged me to push myself to my full capacity. I hope to have the same impact on students here at MPA—to create a safe and joyful classroom that pushes every student to explore new ideas and be challenged in engaging ways. I hope that every student who leaves my classroom does so with a more confident voice and the ability to communicate more clearly across a variety of mediums.

What’s your big dream?
Travel! Our family loves to discover new places, both near and far.

What are you and your family passionate about?
You can always find me with a book, reading a book, or talking about a book! I’m an avid reader and am often working my way through two or three at a time. I love getting book suggestions, so if you have one for me (or want me to suggest one for you) pop by for a chat!

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I spent nine months in Australia while in college and loved every minute of it! If you ever have a chance to go, I’d say – do it!

Welcome to MPA, Nelle Tokheim!

July 9, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Nelle Tokheim! Nelle will be joining us as the library assistant later this fall. We can’t wait to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked for St. Paul Public Schools.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a Bachelor of Arts in physical education and health from Luther College. I wound up working in the fitness industry for ten years before staying home for a while with my two kids. When I decided to return to work, I realized that I still enjoyed working in schools with students and that I truly enjoyed connecting with them through books! I have worked at St. Paul Public Schools for the past three years. I have been running the library at one of their elementary schools, and it was a blast!

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA has been part of me for 42 years. I was an MPA Lifer back in the day, and when my family moved back to Minnesota from Colorado, we chose this school because we wanted our kids to feel safe, supported, and part of a community. I love the connection that students have with staff. I also love how the school has grown into its own identity over the years!

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
I want to help kids love books! I don’t want reading to feel like a chore every time. My belief is that reading is reading, whether your child reads chapter books, biographies or graphic novels. Hopefully, I can help students discover what a joy reading a book can be!

What’s your big dream?
To earn my Master of Library Science.

What are you and your family passionate about?
I am passionate about soccer (ask Mr. Scinto)! I played through college and well into my adult years until an injury stopped me in recent years. I attend as many MNUFC games as I can and try to support the MN Aurora as well.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I met my husband rappelling from the ceiling of a building.

Welcome To MPA, Mallory Lewis!

June 6, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Mallory Lewis! Mallory will join us this fall as the student success teaching assistant. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked for The Blake School prior to this position.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a bachelor of science in theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This has helped me incorporate a play-based learning approach into my teaching.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The faculty and the students were so kind to me on my first visit! I loved touring around and meeting everyone. MPA has such an air of kindness, and I was delighted to be there.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
I hope to leave the students feeling loved, respected, and safe. School should be an inclusive, fun, and welcoming place, and my goal is to foster that space whenever and wherever I can.

What’s your big dream?
I would love to get my master’s degree in psychology!

What are you and your family passionate about?
The arts and animals are very important to me! In my free time, I act professionally and love to sing. Watercolor painting is also a fun hobby of mine! As far as my passion for animals, I have two cats: Benjamin and Binx. I also love reptiles and bats!

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I fear fish.

Welcome To MPA, Dana Distad!

June 6, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Dana Distad! This fall, Dana will join us as a Lower and Middle School counselor. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I previously worked for the Academy of Holy Angels High School.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a master’s degree in school counseling and in clinical counseling. As a school counselor, I provide group services aimed at proactive social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. I also engage in 1:1 sessions aimed at targeted goals and small peer groups.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
Dream Big. Do Right. The idea that the school is based on the whole individual.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
The greatest joy for me is seeing a child apply the skills we have worked on to real-world situations.

What’s your big dream?
I am living it! My big dream has always been to help youth become their best selves.

What are you and your family passionate about?
I am so passionate about the little moments. We live in such a fast-paced world that it’s easy to always be thinking about the future. I love being in the moment and allowing time to slow down. Enjoying time with my family is the best way I am able to practice this every day.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I am an eternal optimist and even joined the International Optimist Club!

Welcome To MPA, Andria Mattlin!

May 28, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Andria Mattlin! Andria joined us as the admission and communication assistant and began on May 28. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from St. Paul Public Schools.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
After graduating from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in public relations, I worked as a communications coordinator for a school district. Realizing I wanted to return to the classroom, I completed Hamline University’s teacher licensing program and taught elementary school for 12 years in St. Paul. I am thrilled to combine my passions for education and communications here at MPA.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I first visited MPA as a prospective parent and was so impressed by the confidence displayed by students and the warm and welcoming nature of the staff. I love the connection across the school community and how individuality is celebrated.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
I hope to bring laughter to MPA each day and celebrate the school community’s achievements, both big and small.

What’s your big dream?
My big dream is to positively impact those around me and see orcas in the wild.

What are you and your family passionate about?
My husband Andrew and I have one son, Dawson, a rising kindergartener at MPA. We enjoy reading, spending time with our extended family, and visiting the Children’s Theatre Company.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I can make balloon animals, a not-so-useful skill I learned from a book my grandma gave me as a child.

Alumni Parents Visit Their Kindergarten Kiddos

May 23, 2024

Kindergarten teachers, Ms. Kristine Petersen (Ms. P) and Ms. Katie Roche welcome parents into classrooms for community share moments each year. This year was extra special as we had eight students in the kindergarten class that were children of MPA alumni.

We asked the teachers – How do you feel about having alumni parents in your classroom?
It is always a highlight when MPA parents volunteer to join us in the classroom. Children get so excited to share part of their day with their parent. As I reflect on the question above, I become a bit overwhelmed. I’m hit with the realization that these adults have chosen to come home to a place where they grew and learned as a child. This is a powerful moment and one that epitomizes our school community. We make deep connections with each other at MPA. I have watched some of these parents grow into the human beings they are today. It was an incredible honor to be a part of their story as they traveled on their life journey. Then to think I now have their sweet children in my class. Well, my eyes are overflowing with tears.

These eight alumni parents will lead our kindergarteners into their graduation ceremony on June 4. Each former MPA student will don an MPA alumni sash and find their place standing behind their child, and the entire kindergarten class. This will be a breathtaking sight. It will inspire new beginnings and possibilities for more children to return home. A place where they will always belong and be loved for who they are each and every day.
Read More

Meet The Reid Family

April 5, 2024

The Reid Family comes from St. Louis Park. Warner ’26 and Hazel ’27 both started at MPA in ninth grade. Get to know their family!

What’s the best thing about being part of the MPA community?
Our teens have been able to find their own places and interests at school and other like-minded kids who support them in those interests. It feels cozy, welcoming, and full of joy.

What is your favorite MPA tradition or event?
We are still fairly new to MPA, but so far, we have really enjoyed the choir concerts and art shows. MPA does a wonderful job of seeing the whole student, and these events highlight one facet of many students.

Complete this sentence: MPA teaches my child…
To persevere, to fail, to set goals, to express themselves, and to explore what’s possible.

If your child has attended another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
The community of students at MPA embraced our new ninth graders in their separate years, giving them a fresh start and a safe environment in which to learn and dream big. Read More

Welcome to MPA, Giselle Wynia!

March 28, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Giselle Wynia! Giselle joins us as a Middle School science and design teacher. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

What school/organization are you coming from?
I previously worked for St. Odilia School.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
Prior to teaching middle school science, I taught courses at the University of Minnesota including human anatomy and worked in the anatomy bequest program. I have a Masters of instruction in human anatomy and physiology. I left the University of Minnesota to teach middle school science, and it is the most fun I have had during my teaching career. I have experience in public and private schools, and I am currently finishing up the year at St. Odilia. I have a passion for lifelong learning and I am excited to share that with the students at MPA.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The sense of community and belonging was evident from the time I walked in the door. I really enjoyed my time teaching in Mr. Milam’s room as the students were eager to participate and a joy to interact with. Read More

Meet Assistant Director Of Admission Hannah Smith

March 21, 2024

Hannah Smith is the assistant director of admission (Lower School) at MPA, and a parent of two MPA Lower School students and one MPA Middle School student. Continue reading to get to know Hannah and contact her to learn more about Lower School at MPA!

When and how did you first come to MPA?
I came to MPA through my children about two years ago! We found ourselves seeking a different school for our kids, and ended up falling in love with MPA. After we enrolled our kids, I was ready to rejoin the workforce and so hoped to be apart of the MPA community as an employee in addition to a parent.

What memories do you have of your first days at MPA?
Kindness. Every single person in the building came up to me and not only introduced themselves but asked how I was doing and what they could do to help my transition.

How does MPA inspire students who dream big and do right?
By celebrating failure! Students with big dreams are taught that their goals are more than attainable, but nobody gets it right on the first try. MPA also has exceptional faculty to help students achieve whatever their dreams entail. Read More

Meet International Student Ella Li ’24

March 11, 2024

Ella Li has been at MPA since eighth grade. She is from China and is currently living with an MPA host family. Learn more about our international student program and becoming a host family here!

What do you love about MPA?
I love the various curriculums at MPA. I can take different humanities courses, like world history, Western literature, US history, etc. From these courses, I have been able to learn about many interesting cultures and read high-quality literature works from the US. Also, I can access different levels of math classes, like algebra, statistics, and calculus, which inspired my curiosity to explore more knowledge. MPA’s science courses, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science, are wonderful. Additionally, I like watercolor drawing, painting, and photography. At MPA, I have opportunities to take various art courses, such as art and design. All of these courses enrich my life at MPA.

How is your experience at MPA different than your former school?
At MPA, I have a closer relationship with each teacher and classmates. During class, I have a lot of group discussions and projects with my classmates. We could share many exciting ideas and help each other. After class, I am also very willing to discuss questions with my teachers. They always give me detailed explanations, enabling me to understand the content I learned clearly. In my former school, I spent most of my time preparing for standard tests, rarely had opportunities to discuss questions with teachers, and participated in after-class activities. Read More