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!
Get ready to celebrate the Paris Summer Olympics with a fun and delicious treat: Olympic Torch Cupcakes in cake cones! These adorable cupcakes are not only delightful to look at but also perfect for any Olympic-themed party.
Mounds Park Academy has an incredibly rich history of athletic success. To highlight some of that success, take a look back at the top five athletic achievements by Panther athletics!
Parents of Lifers are those who chose MPA for their children every year for all 13 years of their education. Right before they graduated from MPA, 
Kristi (Jay ’24): The opportunities he’s had across the board. I don’t think he would’ve been in a school play if he was at a different school. And selfishly, I already knew that there were outstanding teachers here–some of them that I had!–so I knew from the get-go what he was getting into and how it was going to help him flourish in school, because I feel like that’s a huge piece too–knowing how supportive and invested all these outstanding teachers are. 
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! 
Judge Christa Moseng ’96 has been an Administrative Law Judge for Minnesota since 2021 and is the immediate-past chair of MNclusive, an LGBTQIA+ resource group for state employees. She graduated with her B.A. from Grinnell College and her J.D. with Distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. While in law school, she was a senior managing editor of the Journal of Gender, Race, and Justice. Judge Moseng has nearly a decade of experience in public utility matters and rulemaking. She is known for her technical expertise, deep commitment to public service, excellence in legal writing, and commitment to inclusion and equity, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community.
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!
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!
Congratulations to Eddie ’25 and Megan Snider ‘27 as the pair of Panthers punched their tickets to state during the two-day Section 4A track and field championships held on May 30 and June 1 at Bethel University! The siblings secured spots in the Class A state track and field championship meet in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter races.
