My MPA Experience Archives

February 12, 2025

Why did you decide to return to MPA as a coach?

I returned to MPA as a coach in the fall of 2015 during a time of transition in my life. I was considering looking for a new job and sought direction in reconnecting with folks at MPA, a familiar community full of people who had positively impacted my life. I reached out to former head cross-country coach Dan Ethier to see if the team needed an assistant coach.

Thankfully, they did. I ended up coaching three sports—cross country, basketball, and track and field—and working in admissions and marketing for six years. Deep down, I decided to return to coach at MPA to continue to be part of a community that I knew and loved.

What does it mean to you to have mentored the next generation of students?

Coaching and mentoring the next generation of student-athletes at MPA was the honor of a lifetime. It meant everything to me. I am incredibly proud of creating connections with those students that continue today, more than three years after I coached my last game for the Panthers.

It meant so much to me to mentor/coach the student-athletes on my teams in many different aspects of life, from shooting free throws and practicing handoffs to being a good teammate and developing into a leader. I loved hearing them talk about their classes and seeing how incredibly smart and sophisticated they were. Mentoring these student-athletes meant connecting with them not just through athletics but through academics, leadership, and joy. Read More

A Message From Cooper Olson ’16 On Why He Joined The Alumni Board

February 12, 2025

Whenever I’m asked about MPA, the first word that comes to mind is “community.” There aren’t many places with a more unique blend of different ages and experiences under one roof. On one walk through the hallways, you’ll have a chance to experience the curiosity of preschoolers, the angst of middle schoolers, and the optimism of high schoolers, not to mention the enthusiasm of staff you’re bound to bump into along the way.

While all those groups may be unlikely to interact with each other outside of MPA’s walls, inside MPA they mingle to create the welcoming community so many of us have been grateful to call a home.

If you can’t tell from that relatively sappy introduction, I have a deep-seated appreciation for MPA. My appreciation had always been there, but as I left for college and then started my professional career, I realized the impact MPA had on my development. Not only did the lessons I learned at MPA prepare me for the academic and professional challenges that came next, but perhaps even more importantly, the relationships that began at MPA have helped me find and establish new communities that have become some of the most important in my life today. 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

Five Things To Know About MPA From Hannabella Li

February 5, 2025

MPA tenth-grader Hannabella Li shares her Five Things To Know About MPA! From rigorous academics to growing her confidence through public speaking, see what Hannabella thinks you should know about our school.

1. MPA academics are excellent.

The classes at MPA are challenging and rigorous, without being overly stressful. This blend has helped me to balance my homework and extracurriculars while preparing me for college courses and beyond.

2. MPA teachers know their students.

MPA teachers see the students as people with lives, experiences, and as individuals. Through my time here, I have managed to connect with teachers on a scale that I could never before.

3. MPA has an exceptional STEM program.

As someone who wants to go into STEM in the future, I highly appreciate the in-depth courses, as well as hands-on application, that are a part of every class in the exceptionally-cultured STEM program. Read More

Five Things To Know About MPA From Maren G.

January 24, 2025

As an eighth grader, Maren speaks to leadership opportunities in Middle School, competing on the Nordic ski team, the value of a closely-knit community, and more!

1. We have i-Term in Middle School.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Quebec, Canada last year for i-Term. I learned so much about French-Canadian culture and ate a lot of local cuisine.

2. Athletic team experiences are memorable.

I ski every winter on MPA’s Nordic team. It is a great experience and has provided the opportunity to meet new friends, enjoy the Minnesota winter, and improve my skiing!

3. There are so many fine arts opportunities.

The options MPA provides to excel in fine arts has made me a more well-rounded person, and I enjoy being able to play both violin and sing in choir.

4. Students are encouraged to lead.

MPA encourages students to join clubs or create their own. My friends and I run Design Club in the middle school. Some of our past projects include designing the middle school planner, locker posters, and appreciation gifts for our teachers.

5. We have a small, close community

I am grateful for the opportunity to attend MPA with my three sisters. I have one older sister who is a sophomore, and two younger sisters who are in sixth grade and third grade. I am lucky to see them at school thanks to the cohesive community bond we have between divisions.

A Message From Clare Halloran ’03

January 21, 2025

What interested you in pursuing the career that you are in now? What did the process look like to go into your career and what does it look like now? Did you always know what you wanted to dedicate your time to? How do you spend your time outside of your career?

I paused—these were good questions from my mentee, a senior at MPA. It made me think back on my career path and the turns that led me to the niche I find myself in today. I thought back on the years of figuring out “what I wanted to be.” Now I have the opportunity to share my experience—what would have been helpful for me to hear 20-plus years ago?

I first started participating in MPA’s Mentorship Program a few years ago. As part of this program, development manager Angie Gerstner thoughtfully pairs each MPA senior with an MPA alum who shares the interests or career field that the student is thinking about pursuing.

Over a few months, each mentor and mentee share a few emails with the senior leading the questions to help get to know one another, discuss college and career paths, and share challenges and general advice. The program concludes with an informal Alumni Meet & Greet each January on campus (open to all alums, not just mentors!), during which MPA seniors can ask questions of alums across all career sectors and during which alums can reconnect. 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

Five Things To Know About MPA From Hadley R.

January 15, 2025

What makes your MPA experience unique to you? How do you find a home at MPA?

We’re excited to launch this new series, in which we’ll share what’s special about our school through the eyes of our community, from cherished traditions to memorable classes and projects. Middle School student Hadley shares her top five things to know about MPA!

1. We have no-cut athletics.

I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I was able to play with the varsity team at the Target Center!

2. There’s a variety of fine arts.

This year, I loved building the set for “The Odyssey” in Theatre III class!

3. The i-Term experience.

I’ve done the Survivor i-Term and New York i-Term. It’s such a fun experience to have with my friends and make new ones along the way!

4. We have an annual Hour of Code week.

I get to learn coding in different settings and ways.

5. We have an amazing Middle School band.

I love playing the trumpet and learning more about the instrument!

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

A Message From Alumni Board Member Kevin McQuade ’07

November 18, 2024

As I see my two-year-old daughter Rory bounce to music (usually to Taylor Swift or Pitbull, to be honest…) in our living room, I’m transported back to MPA’s band room, where Ms. Goucher and Ms. Wantock challenged us to stretch beyond our comfort zones with both the technical music selection and the style of play. Those years of playing taught me more than just musical notes—they instilled a deep appreciation for the joy of creative expression and the rewards of patient practice. Now, as a parent, I find myself drawing on these lessons, encouraging my daughter to explore, create, and persist even when things don’t come easily. It’s because of generous giving during the fall campaign (as well as donations year-round) that students from around the school are able to try, tinker, and hone their skills with a number of musical instruments not available at many schools around the country.

Beyond the arts, my time with educators like Ms. Murr and Mr. Vergin shaped my approach to raising a compassionate human being. Their dedication to fostering empathy and understanding across socioeconomic differences continues to influence how my wife and I guide my daughter. Whether we’re sharing toys at the playground or meeting new neighbors, I hear echoes of their teachings about compassion, kindness, and inclusivity. It is to that end that my wife and I specifically contributed to continue the momentum of the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning. As someone who struggled to learn via traditional experiences, particularly in later Middle School and early high school, this mission resonates and, I believe, will enhance the educational journey of many of MPA’s best and brightest.

MPA’s nurturing environment showed me that education extends far beyond textbooks and test scores. As a consultant supporting the federal government (and coach at a gym on the side), the ability to learn about, excite, and build relationships with people from around the world keeps me motivated and open-minded to a variety of perspectives and opinions. I believe the ability to listen, understand, and engage with viewpoints other than your own is critical in today’s society, regardless of your focus area(s).

Today, I’m grateful for the foundation laid during my years at Mounds Park Academy. The school’s commitment to developing well-rounded, thoughtful individuals shapes not only my life and parenting philosophy but also my hopes for my daughter’s future—that she too will grow up to be curious, kind, and eager to make a positive difference in the world. I hope you and your families feel equally as appreciative of MPA’s philosophy and help support continued and impactful initiatives across the school. Please join me in igniting dreams, one gift at a time!