Faculty And Staff Experience Archives

February 11, 2026

We are thrilled to share that Dr. Julie Winn will be joining us starting on Tuesday, February 17, as the MPA’s first Lower School assistant director! Please read more about Dr. Winn and her background below.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Minnehaha Academy.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
Over the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of working as both an elementary classroom teacher and an administrative leader. I have worked in public, charter, and independent school settings, teaching across multiple grade levels and serving as an instructional coach, literacy consultant, curriculum director, and, most recently, director of teaching and learning at Minnehaha Academy. I have led curricular and program innovation, instructional coaching, and leadership and faculty development for PreK-12 settings, and have presented at both local and national professional conferences. I am also the co-founder of RefineEDU, a consultancy consortium that specializes in tailored faculty development, leadership development, and curricular and instructional design for private and independent schools. I earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Olaf College, a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Gordon College, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Bethel University.

What did you find appealing about MPA?

Dream Big. Do Right. Could it get better than that? From the very first conversation, it was clear the MPA was a special place, exuding a warmth, connection, and community I immediately wanted to be a part of. I have always considered myself a builder, which requires creativity, high standards, and a willingness to think outside the box and push past the status quo. I am all about big dreams that lead to the highest and best outcomes for students, families, and our faculty, and I feel such resonance with this community and the mission and vision it pursues.

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Lauren Palumbo!

December 10, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Lauren Palumbo! Ms. Palumbo joined us on Wednesday, December 10, as a business office administrative assistant and transportation coordinator, and we are thrilled to introduce her to our community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Oklahoma universities. I studied at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and then continued at East Central University to pursue a Master of Science in human resources. I come from a long history of working for the state of Oklahoma. I was an administrative assistant and business office manager when I was employed at the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I love the opportunity to work in a school setting, creating a safe and welcoming environment for all those who enter MPA.

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Pam Gronski!

October 30, 2025

We are pleased to share that Pam Gronski will be joining us starting on Monday, November 3, as MPA’s first manager of campus safety and security. This role will be responsible for ensuring a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, families, and visitors across all campus facilities and events.

The manager will work collaboratively with school leadership, local law enforcement, and emergency services to maintain best practices in school safety and crisis response. Please read more about Pam and her background below!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked previously for the St. Louis Park Police Department.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I am a recently retired police officer of 23 years. Twelve of those years, I served as a school resource officer. During my time, I also served as a crisis negotiator, peer support member, field training officer, reserve coordinator, and bike patrol member.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The overwhelming sense of community and the numerous educational and extracurricular opportunities offered to the students.

Announcing The Promotion Of Josh Wiger!

September 11, 2025

Congratulations to Mr. Josh Wiger for his recent promotion to operations assistant! Josh’s promotion will be effective September 22, and we are thrilled. Read more about him below!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked previously for Walser Automotive.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I graduated from Stillwater Area High School in 2024 and participated in Bethel University’s PSEO program from 2022-24. I am currently pursuing my degree at Southwest Minnesota State University. My background includes both academic and professional experiences that have emphasized responsibility, collaboration, and adaptability. Through my work in the automotive industry, I’ve gained valuable skills in operations, customer service, and teamwork, all of which I am excited to bring with me to MPA.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I was drawn to MPA because of its strong sense of community and its commitment to both academic excellence and personal growth. The school’s emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and empowering students stood out to me, as these values closely align with my own experiences in education and the workplace. I admire how MPA encourages everyone to “Dream Big. Do Right.” and I wanted to be part of an organization that not only supports its students but also challenges them to reach their full potential. Read More

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Aemah Iqbal!

August 28, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Aemah Iqbal! Ms. Iqbal started prior to the school year as an Upper School counselor and we are pleased to introduce her to the community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Phoenix Counseling.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I did all my schooling in Pakistan and came to St. Cloud State University for college, where I did my undergrad in psychology and am currently pursuing a double master’s in counseling. I have had vast experience working with kids on the spectrum, as well as working at Boys & Girls Clubs and Kidstop through undergrad. More recently, I have worked with elementary and middle schoolers at different private schools.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The culture and the inclusivity—I love it. Also, the rigor and the way the kids have such an unconventional approach to learning.
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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

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.
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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!
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Welcome To MPA, Ms. Katie LaFleur!

July 22, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Katie LaFleur! Ms. LaFleur will be joining the Lower School as a third-grade teacher. We are thrilled to introduce her to the MPA community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
Liberty Ridge Elementary in District 833 is where I previously worked.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a Master of Arts in education from Saint Mary’s University. I have also taken several graduate-level classes beyond my master’s.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I loved the amount of educational opportunities students are given. Each student can learn at their own pace and style.
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