Faculty And Staff Experience Archives

June 12, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Erika Beernink will continue serving as a Lower School assistant permanently at MPA. Get to know Erika better below.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
Before joining MPA’s Lower School to help this past fall, I helped coach MPA’s Middle School Robotics Team. Prior to that, I volunteered at my children’s previous schools, practiced Estate Planning and Probate law, worked in investment management, management consulting, and, a really long time ago, taught ballet.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
When we came to our first family visit, I was immediately attracted to MPA’s health as an institution. Everything from student outcomes to facilities to the strategic plan to the benefits for faculty felt well-tended and cared for. That kind of health supports a strong and vibrant community, something that I wanted to be part of.

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Alicia Kuri Alamillo!

June 12, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Alicia Kuri Alamillo will join Mounds Park Academy as a business office assistant. Welcome to MPA, Ms. Alicia Kuri Alamillo!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and City of Lakes Waldorf School.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
During my early career, I worked in the nonprofit sector as a photo editor, graphic designer, and project manager. About 10 years ago, I made a major career shift into education, starting as a Middle School Spanish language instructor at Breck School. My journey into education has included teaching and administrative work in both K-12 and higher education. Most recently, I served as a student life specialist at Minneapolis College of Art while concurrently teaching Middle School Spanish at City of Lakes Waldorf School.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
Throughout my son’s application process to MPA, our family has experienced a community committed to kindness, curiosity, integrity, and the formation of socially-conscious individuals. The warmth I’ve encountered from faculty, staff, and current families is palpable, and every conversation includes the most joyous stories of students feeling truly seen and appreciated for who they are. I couldn’t be more excited to contribute to such a heart-centered community.

Welcome To MPA, Mrs. Sarah Hong!

June 12, 2026

Welcome to MPA, Sarah Hong! Mrs. Hong will be joining MPA this fall as our Lower School counselor, and we are excited to introduce her to our community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am from Anaheim Elementary School.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I completed my undergraduate and graduate work in psychology. I hold a Marriage and Family Therapy license in California. I specialize in working with children and adolescents.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I love the tight community of MPA and the emphasis on working with the parents to better the school experience for children. MPA seems like a very special place to work and get to pour into.

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Cieyana Carter!

June 12, 2026

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Cieyana Carter! Cieyana will be working this summer with Panther Programs, and we are excited to introduce her to our community.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I’m currently getting a bachelor’s degree in K-12 physical education with a minor in coaching, and an Adaptive Physical Education certification. I’ve worked at summer camps over the past few years.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
It was near my house, and it seemed like a good place to work! It will give me good experience, and I could see myself working at MPA for a long time.

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Cindy Mori!

June 12, 2026

We are excited to share that Ms. Cindy Mori will be joining the MPA community as an interim admission manager! Please read more about Cindy and her background below.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming to MPA from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
After graduating from UW-Madison (Go Badgers!), I began my television career at CNN in Washington D.C. where I spent four years working on political talk shows. As my interests evolved, I moved to New York City, then to Los Angeles to work for Good Morning America, covering breaking news and entertainment. Eventually, I got my dream job with Oprah Winfrey and have had the privilege of working for her on a myriad of projects for the last 27 years. In June, I wrapped my latest role and, more importantly, mission-driven work as the VP of Events for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
Community, big thinkers, and joy embody MPA, and relocating my family from Los Angeles meant we needed to land somewhere with all those qualities. We found them! (Cindy is a current Upper School parent.)

Welcome to MPA, Mr. Will Dierenfield!

June 12, 2026

We are excited to welcome MPA alum Mr. Will Dierenfield ’09, who is an alum returning to our community to work with the Panther Club this summer.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from William Nunn Painting.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I was very lucky to attend MPA for high school and have some excellent teachers, and then again at Macalester College. I hope all who attend MPA are as lucky as I was.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I attended MPA as a student and still know a few staff members. It’s a small, welcoming environment and I look forward to working with the children.

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Geri Muller!

June 12, 2026

We are excited to share that Ms. Geri Muller will join Mounds Park Academy as our Middle School counselor this upcoming school year. Please get to know Geri below!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Renaissance Academy Alternative High School in River Falls.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have been in education my entire life! After high school, I began working in nature centers and found a passion for bringing kids outdoors and experiencing the wonder that exists there. I obtained my degree in environmental education and continued teaching outdoors until I got my classroom teaching license. I worked as a middle school English teacher for five years before craving a job with a different impact on students. After grad school, I took my first school counseling job at an alternative high school in River Falls and loved the individualized attention I could give each of my students. After four years there, I am ready for a new adventure in school counseling!

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The community-first energy that MPA exudes really captured my attention. I grew up in a small, K-12 school in southern Wisconsin and have fond memories of that community feeling from school. To find a school so close to my home in St. Paul that captures that same kind of impact seemed like a true sign to join! I was also drawn to MPA’s values of supporting students in all areas of their lives— socially, emotionally, and academically—so that they can grow freely into the best versions of themselves. This holistic approach to education is highly valued by me as a professional.

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Jocelyn Cunha!

May 20, 2026

We are excited to share that Jocelyn Cunha will join Mounds Park Academy as a PreK teacher beginning in June! Jocelyn brings extensive experience in child-centered, developmentally appropriate education, including six years of teaching and mentoring at The Colorado Springs School, an independent PreK-12 school in Colorado. We are thrilled to introduce Ms. Cunha!

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I’ve had the privilege of working across the education field in a variety of settings, including nonprofits, public and independent schools, and the ed tech sector. I began my journey with the I Have a Dream Foundation in Boulder, where I quickly discovered my passion for teaching and knew I wanted to become a classroom educator. Since then, I’ve taught all grades K-3, with most of my time spent in kindergarten at The Colorado Springs School, an independent school in Colorado. Over the past six years, I’ve created PreK-6 math and ELA instructional videos for IXL Learning. While this work has been meaningful and creatively fulfilling, I am truly excited to return to the classroom and be part of a school community again. I believe in the joy and wonder of the early childhood years and feel honored to be part of the beginning of our youngest learners’ educational journeys!

What did you find appealing about MPA?
As parents, we were first drawn to MPA’s warm and welcoming community and its clear commitment to knowing, valuing, and loving each child. As an educator, MPA’s child-centered approach aligns with my belief that children thrive when they feel safe, understood, and genuinely cared for. I appreciate the strong sense of partnership among students, families, and faculty, which creates a supportive and inspiring environment for everyone.

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Charlotte Hechtl!

May 19, 2026

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Charlotte (Charley) Hechtl! Charley will join the team as a communications intern while communications manager Mike Pappas takes paternity leave from June through September, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I am a rising senior at Creighton University, studying journalism with a focus on advertising, public relations, and news, and a minor in business administration. Through coursework, I have worked on projects involving social media content, promotional writing, and campaigns, so I’m very excited about this opportunity!

What did you find appealing about MPA?
What truly caught my eye was MPA’s “dreamers and doers” approach, and the sense of community it fosters, especially the opportunity to capture and communicate. I have always been drawn to media and storytelling, and believe that social media can sometimes show the best moments, such as students discovering their strengths or building friendships. It’s not always about content, but storytelling, which can help a family truly understand what makes MPA so special. Lastly, as a Twin Cities native, I am very excited to contribute to a community I care about!

Welcome To MPA, Mr. Baker!

February 26, 2026

Welcome to MPA, Mr. Michael Baker! Mr. Baker will be joining us as a part-time school nurse through District 622, taking over for Ms. Deb Stone, who will be retiring in March. We are so thankful to Ms. Stone for her time with us, and are excited to introduce Mr. Baker!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from ISD 622.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I earned a registered nursing degree from Century College, a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law, a master’s degree in education from City College of New York, and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Minnesota. I also served with the United States Army, spent six years teaching elementary, and 40 years as a business owner, before I went to nursing school.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA has a great mission statement and is educating leaders for tomorrow.