Lower School Archives

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!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from IXL Learning.

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!

The Countdown Begins

May 14, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

Kindergarten students celebrate the 100th day of school. Now, tomorrow marks the final day for the Class of 2026.

Even though the school year follows a familiar rhythm and calendar, these final weeks always seem to arrive more quickly than expected.

Countdowns help us organize time and build anticipation for what lies ahead. At MPA, this season of transition also invites reflection. In conversations across campus, I continue to hear students, families, and colleagues sharing pride in accomplishments, gratitude for meaningful experiences, excitement, and sometimes nervousness about what comes next.

Yesterday, I stood in the courtyard with our seniors as they laughed, talked, and enjoyed the sunshine and each other’s company. Some eagerly shared how ready they feel to begin their next chapter, while others spoke honestly about the uncertainty that can come with change. Both emotions are real, important, and deeply human. The countdown to their time at MPA is nearly complete, and with it comes a mixture of celebration, reflection, and transition. Read More

Coding Starts Without Screens

May 14, 2026

from Katie Roche, kindergarten teacher

Coding might sound like something reserved for older students or tech experts, but in today’s classrooms, even our youngest learners are beginning to explore the foundations of computational thinking. At Mounds Park Academy, that learning doesn’t begin with screens or complicated programs. It begins with hands-on play, movement, collaboration, and problem-solving.

For parents, it’s helpful to know that coding in kindergarten isn’t really about screen time—it’s about thinking. It’s about breaking down problems, giving clear instructions, testing ideas, and learning through trial and error. Technology becomes one tool for extending that learning.

In Katie Roche’s kindergarten classroom, students began their coding journey in a very “analog” way, with no devices required. Using a simple grid taped onto the classroom floor, students worked together to solve a challenge: reach the treasure while avoiding obstacles. They planned routes, counted steps, tested ideas, and adjusted when things didn’t go as expected. Read More

Lower School Division News May 7, 2026

May 7, 2026

From James Ewer, Lower School director

We are close. And close is worth pausing on.

Before the last days blur into carpools and summer plans, I want to invite you into a moment of genuine reflection. Not because the year is over. Because it is not. These final weeks still belong to your child. They still belong to us.

Reflect on who your child was in September.

Think about the first morning drop-off. The nervousness, the energy, the version of your child who walked through that door, not yet knowing what this year would ask of them. Now look at them. Something shifted. Ask them tonight at dinner: What is one thing you learned this year that surprised you? Not the answer they give quickly. The real one. The one that takes a second. That conversation is worth more than you know.

The end of a school year is a transition, not a finish line.

Transitions require intention. In our Lower School, we are spending these final weeks making sure every child feels seen, celebrated, and prepared for what comes next. All of your children are moving to new grade levels. Some are leaving our Lower School division for Middle School. All of them are carrying something forward. Our job, together, is to make sure that something is worth carrying. Read More

Living Our Mission To Its Fullest

April 30, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

At Mounds Park Academy, our mission calls us to, “… teach students to think independently, communicate effectively, and act with respect and integrity in a diverse community that models intellectual ambition, global responsibility, and the joy of learning.” Our deep belief in our mission provides us with the momentum and desire to develop meaningful ways to live our mission to its fullest.

Over the next two weeks, we are honored to welcome a small group of students and administrators from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA) in Shenzhen, China, into our community. Their presence in our classrooms, hallways, and homes enriches the daily experience of learning, not only for them, but for all of us. These moments remind us that education extends far beyond textbooks; it is found in shared conversations, new perspectives, and the courage to connect across cultures. During their time here, the VMA students and administrators will also spend time visiting notable sites in the Twin Cities, as well as visiting college campuses. We hope to send interested MPA students to visit VMA in the spring of 2027.

This exchange is also part of a broader commitment to global partnership. We are excited to continue this journey next year with an exchange program with La Escuela Italiana in Mendoza, Argentina. Students from La Escuela Italiana will visit MPA in the fall, with an opportunity for students in our Spanish program to travel to Mendoza for two weeks over spring break. These opportunities reflect our belief that global responsibility is not an abstract idea. We practice this through relationship building, creating shared experiences, and further stretching our understanding of cultures different than our own. Read More

Lower School Division News April 23, 2026

April 23, 2026

from Julia Ross, Lower School learning specialist

It is hard to believe that the end of the year is quickly approaching! As we get closer to the final FastBridge assessment of the school year, which begins on May 11, we’re excited for students to have the opportunity to show how much they’ve grown over the course of the school year.

At school, homeroom teachers will be talking with students about how this assessment is a chance to show what they know, reflect on their growth, and put forth their best effort. We remind students to take their time, not to overthink, and to trust all the learning they’ve done this year.

Continuing this conversation at home can be incredibly helpful. As it gets closer, encouraging your student to simply try their best and feel confident in their progress can make a big difference in how they approach taking the test. It is also important, as always, to make sure they get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on testing days to help them feel focused and ready to try their best!

We are so proud of the growth our students have made and look forward to celebrating all they’ve learned. Please reach out to me, Julia Ross, Lower School learning specialist, with any questions!

from Dana Distad, Lower School counselor

As we reach the end of another school year, it’s hard not to pause and reflect just how much growth has taken place—not only academically, but socially and emotionally. Our students have spent the year learning how to name their feelings, navigate friendships, repair when things feel hard, and advocate for what they need. These are skills that don’t always show up on report cards, but they are the foundation for everything else. Read More

What Does It Mean To Belong?

April 16, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

What does it mean to belong? I think about this a lot. I often think about questions such as: What provides comfort? What creates space to develop confidence and pride? How does an environment affect one’s ability or willingness to share their own story?

Belonging. It’s something I believe we all want to say we feel in most, if not all, places and spaces we inhabit. According to The Kids Mental Health Foundation, kids who feel like they belong, “Do better academically, are less focused on being bullied or excluded, build friendships easier, and learn new skills.” While my motto will always be students first, I believe it is fair to say that those reasons and outcomes apply to adults as well.

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting MPA alums in the Bay Area. As my time at MPA grows, and I meet more alumni, there is a consistent theme I am able to pull from my conversations—MPA left a lasting impression because somewhere within their time as students within our community, each alum could name a place, space, event, or teacher that created the validity of belonging within the community. It’s a moving experience to hear people’s stories, and to learn of what made moments special, and sometimes hard. Just like my time in New York, it felt like I was catching up with old friends. To be welcomed into that opportunity for reflection and conversation is a privilege and one that I do not take lightly. Read More

Lower School Division News April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026

from James Ewer, Lower School director

At MPA, we want our students to grow not only as learners but also as thoughtful, empathetic, and courageous human beings. That kind of growth asks something of adults, too. It asks us to keep reflecting, keep learning, and keep widening the stories, voices, and perspectives we center in our community.

During Women’s History Month, our Lower School faculty and staff engaged in reflection around the lives, lessons, and legacies of women who have shaped history and continue to shape the world around us. What emerged from that reflection was powerful. It reminded us that this work is not about celebrating one month and moving on. It is about continuing to build a school community where children learn to see themselves, value others, and understand their role in creating a more just and compassionate world.

Several important ideas stayed with us.

Leadership is not one thing. Sometimes it is bold and public. Sometimes it is quiet, steady, and rooted in deep listening, courage, and integrity.

Representation matters deeply. When children see people from different backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences leading, creating, advocating, and making change, it broadens their sense of what is possible. Read More

Remembering Karen Benz

April 2, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

The Mounds Park Academy community recently lost one of its earliest founders, Karen Benz, whose vision, generosity, and steadfast commitment helped bring this remarkable school to life.

In my first year at MPA, I have found myself reflecting on the courage it took for those early founders to build something from nothing. Karen Benz was one of those people. She believed in the promise of this school before it existed—and because she did, generations of students have benefited. In many ways, we are all standing on the shoulders of Karen and her fellow founders.

MPA itself began as a dream. In December of 1981, founder Bob Kriescher gathered a small group of friends and parents from Breck School to form the first board of Mounds Park Academy. At that moment, there were no students, no teachers, and not even a building—only a compelling idea: a new kind of independent school rooted in curiosity, strong academics, and an inclusive community.

By the spring of 1982, that dream began to take shape—and one of the people who immediately believed in it was Karen. Read More