My MPA Experience Archives

June 6, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Dana Distad! This fall, Dana will join us as a Lower and Middle School counselor. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I previously worked for the Academy of Holy Angels High School.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a master’s degree in school counseling and in clinical counseling. As a school counselor, I provide group services aimed at proactive social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. I also engage in 1:1 sessions aimed at targeted goals and small peer groups.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
Dream Big. Do Right. The idea that the school is based on the whole individual.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
The greatest joy for me is seeing a child apply the skills we have worked on to real-world situations.

What’s your big dream?
I am living it! My big dream has always been to help youth become their best selves.

What are you and your family passionate about?
I am so passionate about the little moments. We live in such a fast-paced world that it’s easy to always be thinking about the future. I love being in the moment and allowing time to slow down. Enjoying time with my family is the best way I am able to practice this every day.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I am an eternal optimist and even joined the International Optimist Club!

Welcome To MPA, Andria Mattlin!

May 28, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Andria Mattlin! Andria joined us as the admission and communication assistant and began on May 28. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from St. Paul Public Schools.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
After graduating from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in public relations, I worked as a communications coordinator for a school district. Realizing I wanted to return to the classroom, I completed Hamline University’s teacher licensing program and taught elementary school for 12 years in St. Paul. I am thrilled to combine my passions for education and communications here at MPA.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I first visited MPA as a prospective parent and was so impressed by the confidence displayed by students and the warm and welcoming nature of the staff. I love the connection across the school community and how individuality is celebrated.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
I hope to bring laughter to MPA each day and celebrate the school community’s achievements, both big and small.

What’s your big dream?
My big dream is to positively impact those around me and see orcas in the wild.

What are you and your family passionate about?
My husband Andrew and I have one son, Dawson, a rising kindergartener at MPA. We enjoy reading, spending time with our extended family, and visiting the Children’s Theatre Company.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I can make balloon animals, a not-so-useful skill I learned from a book my grandma gave me as a child.

Alumni Parents Visit Their Kindergarten Kiddos

May 23, 2024

Kindergarten teachers, Ms. Kristine Petersen (Ms. P) and Ms. Katie Roche welcome parents into classrooms for community share moments each year. This year was extra special as we had eight students in the kindergarten class that were children of MPA alumni.

We asked the teachers – How do you feel about having alumni parents in your classroom?
It is always a highlight when MPA parents volunteer to join us in the classroom. Children get so excited to share part of their day with their parent. As I reflect on the question above, I become a bit overwhelmed. I’m hit with the realization that these adults have chosen to come home to a place where they grew and learned as a child. This is a powerful moment and one that epitomizes our school community. We make deep connections with each other at MPA. I have watched some of these parents grow into the human beings they are today. It was an incredible honor to be a part of their story as they traveled on their life journey. Then to think I now have their sweet children in my class. Well, my eyes are overflowing with tears.

These eight alumni parents will lead our kindergarteners into their graduation ceremony on June 4. Each former MPA student will don an MPA alumni sash and find their place standing behind their child, and the entire kindergarten class. This will be a breathtaking sight. It will inspire new beginnings and possibilities for more children to return home. A place where they will always belong and be loved for who they are each and every day.
Read More

Meet The Reid Family

April 5, 2024

The Reid Family comes from St. Louis Park. Warner ’26 and Hazel ’27 both started at MPA in ninth grade. Get to know their family!

What’s the best thing about being part of the MPA community?
Our teens have been able to find their own places and interests at school and other like-minded kids who support them in those interests. It feels cozy, welcoming, and full of joy.

What is your favorite MPA tradition or event?
We are still fairly new to MPA, but so far, we have really enjoyed the choir concerts and art shows. MPA does a wonderful job of seeing the whole student, and these events highlight one facet of many students.

Complete this sentence: MPA teaches my child…
To persevere, to fail, to set goals, to express themselves, and to explore what’s possible.

If your child has attended another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
The community of students at MPA embraced our new ninth graders in their separate years, giving them a fresh start and a safe environment in which to learn and dream big. Read More

Welcome to MPA, Giselle Wynia!

March 28, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Giselle Wynia! Giselle joins us as a Middle School science and design teacher. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

What school/organization are you coming from?
I previously worked for St. Odilia School.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
Prior to teaching middle school science, I taught courses at the University of Minnesota including human anatomy and worked in the anatomy bequest program. I have a Masters of instruction in human anatomy and physiology. I left the University of Minnesota to teach middle school science, and it is the most fun I have had during my teaching career. I have experience in public and private schools, and I am currently finishing up the year at St. Odilia. I have a passion for lifelong learning and I am excited to share that with the students at MPA.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The sense of community and belonging was evident from the time I walked in the door. I really enjoyed my time teaching in Mr. Milam’s room as the students were eager to participate and a joy to interact with. Read More

Meet Assistant Director Of Admission Hannah Smith

March 21, 2024

Hannah Smith is the assistant director of admission (Lower School) at MPA, and a parent of two MPA Lower School students and one MPA Middle School student. Continue reading to get to know Hannah and contact her to learn more about Lower School at MPA!

When and how did you first come to MPA?
I came to MPA through my children about two years ago! We found ourselves seeking a different school for our kids, and ended up falling in love with MPA. After we enrolled our kids, I was ready to rejoin the workforce and so hoped to be apart of the MPA community as an employee in addition to a parent.

What memories do you have of your first days at MPA?
Kindness. Every single person in the building came up to me and not only introduced themselves but asked how I was doing and what they could do to help my transition.

How does MPA inspire students who dream big and do right?
By celebrating failure! Students with big dreams are taught that their goals are more than attainable, but nobody gets it right on the first try. MPA also has exceptional faculty to help students achieve whatever their dreams entail. Read More

Meet International Student Ella Li ’24

March 11, 2024

Ella Li has been at MPA since eighth grade. She is from China and is currently living with an MPA host family. Learn more about our international student program and becoming a host family here!

What do you love about MPA?
I love the various curriculums at MPA. I can take different humanities courses, like world history, Western literature, US history, etc. From these courses, I have been able to learn about many interesting cultures and read high-quality literature works from the US. Also, I can access different levels of math classes, like algebra, statistics, and calculus, which inspired my curiosity to explore more knowledge. MPA’s science courses, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science, are wonderful. Additionally, I like watercolor drawing, painting, and photography. At MPA, I have opportunities to take various art courses, such as art and design. All of these courses enrich my life at MPA.

How is your experience at MPA different than your former school?
At MPA, I have a closer relationship with each teacher and classmates. During class, I have a lot of group discussions and projects with my classmates. We could share many exciting ideas and help each other. After class, I am also very willing to discuss questions with my teachers. They always give me detailed explanations, enabling me to understand the content I learned clearly. In my former school, I spent most of my time preparing for standard tests, rarely had opportunities to discuss questions with teachers, and participated in after-class activities. Read More

Welcome to MPA, Paul Errickson!

March 9, 2024

Mr. Paul Errickson will be joining us as Middle School director in June 2024! Please watch for ways to warmly welcome him to our community. Take a moment to get to know Mr. Errickson and the wealth of experience he will be bringing to MPA.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am joining you from The American School of Warsaw in Warsaw, Poland.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I spent my early years of education at the University of New Hampshire, earning a B.S. in environmental conservation with a minor in outdoor education and an MEd in secondary education, all while competing on their men’s track and field team as a hammer thrower. I also earned a MEd in independent school leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University. I have taught and led in six different schools in four different countries and have held roles ranging from camp counselor and learning coach to head of middle school. I have worked Croo in the Appalachian Mountain Club’s high mountain huts of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and I spent a year as an AmeriCorps member teaching about watersheds and stream ecology. I’ve always found ways to get involved with students outside of the classroom, from coaching soccer and helping out with musicals to leading outdoor trips—hiking, skiing, or ice climbing—in the mountains.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
First of all, I was struck by the simplicity and conviction of MPA’s motto: Dream Big. Do Right. As a principled leader who believes deeply in inspiring our students and teaching them about servant leadership, I immediately connected to MPA’s aspirational motto. The more I learned about MPA, the more I loved it as I read through the stories on your website and saw your commitment as a school for “dreamers and doers.” And, then I got to visit the school and meet the people at MPA. From the moment I stepped into the building, I experienced a warmth and an ethos of learning, acceptance, and energy that I have not felt in many other schools. Filled with nooks and joyful students, MPA revealed itself to be a place that values relationships and connection—across all grade levels. I felt the energy from every student, teacher, and adult that I talked with on that day. Read More

Welcome To MPA, Ashley Riihiluoma!

February 28, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Ashley Riihiluoma! Ashley joins us as the Middle School administrative assistant and will begin on March 4. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

What school/organization are you coming from?
I previously worked for the YMCA of the North.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I went to college and received a degree in child development. I have devoted my entire professional career to working with children. I have worked mostly with early childhood education and have held many roles within the realm. My most recent experiences have been in program director and operational business director roles.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
Mostly the sense of community and belonging. I was thrilled about working with the middle school age group, as it is a new endeavor for me.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
I want to make a lasting impact on the students by being a safe, dependable, and respected member of the faculty that they know and rely on. My impact will be the difference I can make in their lives.

What’s your big dream?
To find success in everything that I do. One day, I want to live minimalistic on a piece of land with a cottage-style house and a garden. That would be pure happiness for me.

What are you (and your family, if you so choose) passionate about?
We are passionate advocates for advancement in mental health. We believe the whole well-being is important—not just physical health. We are also huge animal lovers and find many of our passions associated with such.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I grew up in a very large family with eight brothers.

Welcome To MPA, Michael Pappas!

February 22, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Michael! Michael joins us as the communications coordinator. We are so excited to introduce him to our community!

What school/organization are you coming from?
I previously worked for Adams Publishing Group.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I graduated from St. Cloud State University before heading to work for the Union-Times and County News Review as the sports editor.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The school seemed like a very welcoming place for everybody.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
I plan to help push MPA to make it even better than it currently is by helping in whatever way I can. Read More