Faculty And Staff Experience Archives

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.
Read More

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.
Read More

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Emily Kang!

February 20, 2025

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

From what school/organization are you coming?
For the past 10 years, I’ve been at home with our kids.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I worked as a (primarily) pediatric CRNA at M Health Fairview and as a NICU nurse.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I graduated from MPA in 1996 and attended K-12 here. Now, two of our four children are enrolled—one in fourth grade and another in first grade. MPA was like a second home to me, so when the opportunity arose, I volunteered to fill a need. Now, I’m proud to be on staff as an RN in the health office, helping serve the community. We are deeply grateful for the incredible educators here who spend so much time with our children and work alongside us daily to help shape them into kind, strong humans.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I hope to support the students and staff so that educators can focus on teaching and students can engage in joyful learning.
Read More

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.
Read More

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.
Read More

Please Welcome Ms. Julia Ross To MPA!

December 5, 2024

MPA is excited to announce the hiring of Ms. Julia Ross as the Lower School learning specialist. She started on December 2, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I taught first grade at Partnership Academy.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have my bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and my master’s degree in educational leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. I have taught first grade for the past seven years and absolutely loved my time in the classroom. One of my favorite things about education is building relationships with students, helping them learn so much about the world and themselves, and showing them they are capable of oh so many things!

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I immediately felt that my beliefs aligned with Mounds Park Academy. The inclusivity, high academic achievement, and the commitment to being student-centered is what really drew me in. I can already tell that Mounds Park Academy is committed to each and every student and believes they can achieve anything. I am beyond excited to be a part of the community and to make an impact here.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I believe my commitment to academic excellence and building character will go a long way. I am eager to begin building relationships with students, showing them they can do anything and helping them achieve their dreams! Read More

Please Welcome Ms. Staydohar To MPA!

October 24, 2024

MPA is excited to announce the hiring of Ms. Santina Staydohar as an assistant to the Lower School director! She started on October 9, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Children’s Minnesota Hospital, where I worked on the St. Paul campus.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I previously worked as an assistant for almost three years and as a health unit coordinator in the Children’s Minnesota Hospital Emergency Department.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I found the community aspect of MPA to be the most appealing. Everyone was super nice and helpful during my interview.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I plan to always be a helping hand and a warm face to the students and teachers at MPA.

What’s your big dream?
I would love to travel to Bali! Read More

Please Welcome Ms. Mwaniki To MPA

October 1, 2024

MPA is delighted to announce the hiring of Ms. Juliet Mwaniki as a year-round PreK faculty member starting October 7, 2024! Please take some time to get to know Ms. Mwaniki.

From what school/organization are you coming?
Breakthrough Twin Cities/Minerva University

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in arts, humanities, and social sciences from Minerva University. Throughout my academic journey, I studied in six countries, gaining a global perspective and a deep appreciation for diverse cultures.

My professional experience includes roles as a teaching fellow at Breakthrough Twin Cities, a program coordinator at Minerva University, and a college counseling advisor at Equity Group Foundation. These experiences have equipped me with strong skills in curriculum development, classroom management, student assessment, and building inclusive learning environments.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I was drawn to Mounds Park Academy’s commitment to nurturing the human spirit, fostering social justice, and promoting critical thinking. The school’s innovative education model, which fosters a joy of learning and encourages students to be enthusiastic and self-driven, aligns perfectly with my own educational philosophy. Additionally, I was impressed by the opportunities for professional development and collaboration within the PreK teaching team. Read More