Why I Coach At MPA From Declan Dahlberg ’18

August 21, 2025

from Declan Dahlberg ’18

Throughout my athletic career at Mounds Park Academy, I had the privilege to be coached by Bev Docherty and Dan Ethier. Any alumni or parents who shared in this privilege will know how outstanding their dedication, expertise, and mentorship was to all their student athletes.

When I had the opportunity to return to MPA as an alum and coach, I remembered how transformative my experience with Coach Docherty and Ethier was for my development as a person and athlete. I wanted to do my best to replicate this experience for the next generation of MPA student-athletes.

MPA has a reputation for giving student-athletes an experience that they remember for the rest of their lives. These experiences go beyond performance and skill. Student-athletes at MPA make lifelong friends, overcome barriers, and learn how to work as a team that is diverse in age, ability, and countless other metrics. Coach Docherty and Coach Ethier were instrumental in carrying out this mission for many years at MPA, and it was my privilege to try to carry on their work during my time at MPA as a coach.

A Welcome From Tim Koerner ’03

August 19, 2025

Greetings, fellow Panthers!

On behalf of the Alumni Association Board, we welcome you to the 2025-2026 academic year and offer our sincere hopes that you have enjoyed your respective summers, dreaming big, doing right, and finding time to unplug and relax.

Whether you are soon returning to campus as an alum who is also a Panther parent, you recently joined us at Target Field for MPA Alumni Night, or you continue to keep in touch with MPA from hundreds or thousands of miles away via personal updates or financial support of the school, we hope to see your face or hear from you in the year to come.

As the school enters its 43rd year under the new head of school, Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, you remain an important part of MPA’s legacy and influence. Our Panther alumni network of roughly 2,500 continues to grow with each graduating class.

This year, the alumni association board is growing as well, with the addition of four new members and an association body that represents Panthers from the graduating classes of 2000-2022! It is a dynamic group that will bring great energy and ideas to MPA throughout the year!

Whether you graduated from MPA in the 1980s or just recently drove away from campus with your diploma as a member of the Class of 2025, we hope you know that MPA will always be a place that you can call home and be treated as a valued member of our community.

As the year moves along, please feel free to engage with MPA as a volunteer, offering your career expertise as a mentor, sharing an update via our social channels, and considering a financial gift to MPA to further the school’s mission and values.

Standing on the shoulders of the exemplary work of past alumni board presidents, James Cordon ’97, Mike Velin ’06, and Amanda Magistad ’12, and the MPA alumni board members of years past, the Panther alumni network has never been in a stronger or more exciting position. We seek to continue the growth of our alumni bonds via your participation in any number of ways and initiatives, à la carte, in the manner that best suits you at your respective point in post-MPA life.

Once upon a time, I spent 13 years at MPA as a “Lifer,” only to spend the next 17 years disconnected from the school. Upon my return as an MPA PreK parent in 2021, I quickly wondered what had taken me so long to revisit this unique and forward-thinking community.

If it has been a while for you, too—hey, I can relate. Consider taking the first step of sharing your story to further bolster and grow our flourishing alumni network. I promise you will feel the MPA warmth when you receive a reply from the development and alumni relations staff, Ashley, Angie, Michelle, or a member of our alumni board.

In a world that often seems to shrink from solving problems and doing right by the day, you are one of 2,500 in this mighty Panther alumni community. By connecting with one another, learning from one another, and collectively supporting the future of MPA for current Panthers, our community will achieve its big dreams while doing right.

Go Panthers,

Tim Koerner ’03

Alumni Association President
MPA Parent, Classes of 2036 and 2039

Alumni Association Welcomes New Board Members

August 19, 2025

As the new school year approaches, the Alumni Association welcomes its new Alumni Board members. Please join us in thanking them for their service to the community!

Phillipe Thao ’14

Phillipe joined the MPA community in eighth grade and graduated in 2014. He currently lives in Los Angeles, where he works as a digital publicist at Lionsgate, developing campaigns for major film franchises like John Wick and The Hunger Games. Prior to that, he was part of Netflix’s editorial team, helping launch its official fansite, Tudum, and creating content around hit series such as Squid Game and The Crown. Phillipe is also a published freelance writer, with work appearing in the LA Times, Teen Vogue, The Washington Post, and InStyle Magazine.

A passionate supporter of MPA’s mission, he brings a creative lens and deep appreciation for storytelling to the Alumni Association Board. He looks forward to helping expand alumni engagement and fostering a strong, connected community. Read More

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Eleanor Schuebel!

August 18, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Eleanor Schuebel! Ms. Eleanor Schuebel recently joined us as a Panther Club program assistant, and we are thrilled to introduce her to our community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am currently attending Bethel University.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I started working with kids at a daycare for my first job when I was 16, and I am in my last year of college to get my English education degree.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The sense of community and core values of the school.
Read More

An Update From Maya Merchant ’22

August 6, 2025

Maya Merchant ’22 recently completed an incredible semester abroad with the School for Field Studies at their Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Throughout the semester, Maya engaged in coursework and conducted fieldwork in Tropical Coastal Ecology, Tropical Forest Ecology, and Environmental Governance and Development.

In addition to her academic studies, she had the opportunity to connect with local communities and learn about grassroots conservation and sustainability initiatives in the region. This immersive experience deepened her understanding of environmental science and the interdisciplinary strategies involved in climate solutions and sustainable development.

During the final month of the program, Maya participated in a research project examining the effects of forest disturbance on the spatial distribution of two species of poison dart frogs endemic to the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Medina, Maya and her team explored ecological patterns and assessed the impacts of both natural and human-caused disturbances on amphibians in tropical rainforests. Through this work, she developed skills in experimental design, field data collection, statistical analysis, data visualization, and science communication. The team was especially proud to present their findings to the local community, contributing to ongoing conservation conversations and future research opportunities.

Maya is deeply grateful to the School for Field Studies and the local community for providing such a meaningful and enriching experience. This semester abroad has left a lasting impact on her academic and professional goals, and she looks forward to applying the knowledge and skills gained to future endeavors.

The Summer Scoop With Natalie Waters Seum

August 6, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the August 11, 2025 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

In this issue of Inside MPA, we’re catching up with Natalie Waters Seum, director of admission and communication, as she reflects on summer and offers advice for those considering MPA for this fall. Whether you’re just starting your school search or already planning a visit, this conversation is full of insights and helpful next steps.

What’s one way the MPA community supports new families and students?

Our new families are embraced from the start—through summer social events, buddy families, and ongoing communication from both the division office and the Office of Admission. But perhaps the most meaningful support comes from the everyday moments once the family is on campus: a division director picking up the phone to check in, a teacher offering reassurance, a student inviting a new friend to sit by them at lunch. That’s just who we are.

What do you hope every new family experiences in their first year at MPA?

I hope they feel truly seen and supported—long before day one, actually. Our community is remarkably warm and welcoming, and I want every family to feel that they’ve found a place where their child will thrive, not just academically but socially and emotionally. I also hope they feel a growing sense of partnership with their child’s teachers and a sense of joy about their school choice. Read More

Back To School Details

July 22, 2025

We are getting ready for the 2025-26 school year, and we hope that you are as excited as we are! Below you will find all of the details about each Back To School event. If you have any questions, please reach out to your division director or the Office of Communications at by clicking here.

EVENTS FOR ALL FAMILIES

Thursday, August 21

Back To School Open House | 3:30-6 PM

Come when you can, stay as you please!

LOWER SCHOOL

Lower School students are invited to bring their school supplies, settle into their homeroom classrooms, and visit their specialist teachers. This is a great opportunity to get familiar with the school environment, meet teachers, and start the year with confidence and excitement.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School students are encouraged to bring their school supplies, organize their lockers, and walk through their class schedules. This is a great opportunity to meet teachers, get oriented with the building, and feel prepared for the year ahead.

UPPER SCHOOL

Upper School students are encouraged to walk through their schedules, meet their teachers, locate their lockers, and get organized for the year ahead. This is a great opportunity to settle in, ask questions, and start the school year with clarity and confidence.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS

To further enhance the safety and security of our campus, we will use the Raptor VisitorSafe kiosk to create your 2025-26 reusable nametag. Please bring an ID to create yours during the Back To School Open House. All parents and guardians accessing the building will need to do this as we transition back this year. Other opportunities will be provided as well.

Please note: Due to feedback from families, school photos will not be taken at the Back To School Open House. School photos will be during the school day on September 4 and retakes will be on October 1, both of which will be non-uniform days in Lower School. Sibling photos will not be available. Slow Road continues to be our vendor.

Tuesday, August 26

Parents Association First Day Of School Coffee | 8-9:30 AM, South Entrance

You’re invited! Please join us for a First Day of School Coffee gathering hosted by the MPA Parents Association. After you drop off your child, stop by for a warm welcome, a hot cup of coffee, and a chance to connect with fellow parents as we kick off a new school year together. Whether you’re a returning family or brand new to the community, we can’t wait to see you there!

EVENTS FOR NEW FAMILIES

New families are considered those with students who are just joining our school PLUS all returning families with a student in grade PreK, K, 5, or 9 this fall.

Monday, August 25

PreK-12 New Parent Orientation | 8-11 AM, Family Commons

8-8:30 AM | Refreshments and connection with Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

8:30-9:30 AM | Division Breakout Sessions (highly recommended for returning families with a student in grade PreK, K, 5, or 9, too) Important information from division leadership and Schoology training. Bring your phone and laptop if Schoology access help is needed.

9:30-11 AM | PreK-12 New Parent Orientation Topics (optional for returning families with a student in grade PreK, K, 5, or 9) This will include topics such as safety/security, Allergy Aware Guidelines, communications, and more.

Monday, August 25

PreK-9 New Student Orientations | Times Vary By Grade

ALL NEW + RETURNING PREK STUDENTS

8-11 AM | Programming will include time in the homeroom classroom getting to know the teachers, learning the classroom routines, and enjoying free play time. Families are welcome to linger together on the playground after 11 AM. Uniforms are not required this day.

ALL NEW GRADES K-4 STUDENTS + RETURNING K STUDENTS

8-11 AM | Programming will include time in the homeroom classroom, getting to know the teachers, learning the classroom routines, as well as visiting specialist teachers and other key campus locations. Uniforms are not required this day.

11-6 PM | Panther Club is available at no cost for grades K-4. Please send a lunch that follows MPA’s peanut and tree nut guidelines: mpa.link/foodallergies. Sign-up is required by August 18 at mpa.link/newstudentfirstday.

ALL NEW GRADES 5-8 STUDENTS + RETURNING FIFTH-GRADE STUDENTS

8 AM-3 PM | Programming will include Advisory time, technology onboarding, social activities, Makerspace activities, Library visits, building tours, recess, lunch, and more.

3-6 PM | Panther Den is available at no cost for grades 5-8. Sign up by August 18 at mpa.link/newstudentfirstday.

ALL NEW + RETURNING NINTH-GRADE STUDENTS

8 AM-12 PM | Programming will include community building, technology onboarding, activities, building tours, lunch, and more.

Note: The first day of school for new students in grades 10-12 is Tuesday, August 26. Email admission@moundsparkacademy.org if an additional building walk-through would be helpful.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE >

Welcome To MPA, Mr. Matthew Quade!

July 22, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Matthew Quade! Mr. Quade will be joining us this fall as a Middle School physical education and health teacher, and we are thrilled to introduce him to our community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Stamford American International School, located in Singapore.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2011. Since then, I have taught physical education for 14 years at four different international schools in Taiwan, China, South Korea, and Singapore.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I’m incredibly excited to join the Mounds Park Academy community next year! What appealed to me most was the strong sense of belonging. Also, I’m eager to contribute to the experiential learning environment where students truly engage with their education. The balance of academics, arts, and athletics resonates deeply with my values, and I look forward to supporting students in all areas. Most importantly, I’m thrilled to be part of a school prioritizing sustained wellness, ensuring everyone thrives. I can’t wait to become a part of this dynamic and supportive community. Read More

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Tricia Quade!

July 22, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Tricia Quade! Ms. Quade is joining the Upper School as a math teacher and we are so eager to introduce her to the MPA community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked for the Stamford American International School in Singapore.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I am an experienced educator with 14 years of international teaching experience in Taiwan, China, South Korea, and Singapore. I hold a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Endicott College. In my career, I have focused on building strong classroom communities, supporting student growth, and contributing to school culture through collaboration. I try to bring a global perspective to teaching, and I value relationships with students, colleagues, and families in the community.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
Coming from an international setting, what drew me to MPA was its strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The school’s values are not just words; they’re visible in the curriculum, community, and life of the school. After my employment was confirmed, from the moment I arrived, every person I met was warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind. It felt less like meeting new colleagues and more like catching up with old friends. That immediate sense of connection and community affirmed that MPA is not only a place of academic excellence but also a place where people truly care about one another.
Read More

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Cait Osell!

July 22, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Cait Osell! Ms. Osell comes to MPA as a Middle School English teacher, and we are happy to introduce her to our community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked for Hired, a non-profit organization.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I graduated from the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in 2014 with a degree in English and secondary education. During my time there, I was also able to spend six months in Ireland attending the University College Cork. My teaching career started in Shakopee Public Schools from 2015-2023, from which I moved to something a little different, doing adult education with a Minneapolis nonprofit, Hired. I love English Language Arts and getting others to love it, too!

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA immediately stood out to me because of the agency and autonomy it gives to students. It’s important to me that students have a say in their education and environment, and that, paired with a supportive, fun, and welcoming staff, made me realize MPA was exactly where I wanted to be. I believe in doing good and dreaming big as well, and that’s exactly what I plan to do!
Read More