Exceptional Teachers
St. Andrew’s Academy has committed tremendous energy to finding the best possible people to instruct our students. We look for teachers who have displayed an extraordinary effort to be the best they can be. We want lifelong learners as teachers. As a result, all of our classroom teachers have their Masters of Education degrees and continue to enhance their studies.
Our special subject teachers are all certified and on their way to completing their advanced degrees. In addition, many of our teachers have earned recognition for their contributions to curriculum development, online learning and research in modern teaching theory. Some of our teachers exemplify entrepreneurship as they have been contracted by curriculum companies to develop curriculum. We encourage these pursuits as they make for better, more engaging teachers, and continue to improve the caliber of the curriculum at The Academy.
Please take a moment to review the biographies of our staff.
Biographies
Kindergarten: Abby Tuckner earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology from Concordia University in St. Paul. She has also received her M.A. in Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Prior to teaching at the Academy, Abby taught full-day preschool at the Preschools of St. Andrew’s. She enjoys spending time with her husband and family. She also enjoys scrapbooking and quilting.
Grade 1: Kristen Detert earned her B.A. with high honors from Gustavus Adolphus College with a major in Elementary Education, and her M.A. in Education from St. Mary’s University. While at Gustavus, Kristen was a member of the women’s gymnastics team and received academic All-American honors. She has taught elementary grades at Breck School and at Edgerton School in Maplewood. Kristen and her husband recently became parents of a daughter.
Grade 2: Cari Whitmore earned her B.A. in Education and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas. She taught in the Stillwater Public Schools for seven years and also worked as a Title I teacher. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. She also enjoys walking and reading.
Grade 2: Angela Drange earned her B.S. in Child Psychology and her M.Ed. in Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Angela has also taught Kindergarten at St. Andrew’s Academy. Prior to joining the Academy, Angela taught Pre-Kindergarten at the Preschools of St. Andrew’s. She is a member of the Minnesota Kindergarten Association and the International Reading Association. She enjoys spending time with her young son and husband.
Grade 3: Heather Norman earned her B.S. in Education from Winona State University and her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from St. Mary’s University. She has been an elementary classroom teacher since 1996, and has taught at St. Andrew’s Academy since 2004. Heather has initiated a variety of enrichment programs at St. Andrew’s Academy including Invention Convention and Enrichment Clusters. Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. In the summertime, they enjoy spending time at “The Lake”.
Grade 4: Lower School Director: Leigh Anderson: After teaching 5th and 6th grade and coaching both High School Basketball and Track in the West St. Paul/Mendota Heights School District, Leigh taught at the Graduate level in the Masters of Teaching and Learning Program at Saint Mary’s University. She has also worked for the University of Wisconsin River Falls, where she supervised, observed, and evaluated student teachers. In addition to her teaching and leadership experience, Leigh has presented around the country on a book she co-authored, dealing with best practices in education. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Leigh ran her first marathon this past June at Grandma’s in Duluth. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys.
Grade 5: Jill Ryan taught 4th grade for three years in Colorado before moving back to Minnesota this past summer. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Science and her Master’s in Education with an emphasis on aesthetics from the University of Denver. In addition to her classroom teaching, Jill directed a Camp Invention program which is part of a nationally recognized Young Inventors Workshop, and served as a facilitator for student ambassadors. In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time doing outdoor activities with her husband, and one-year old son.
Music, Grade 2, After School Music Lessons: Karen Salter is a Luther College graduate who brings her boundless passion for music to the students of St. Andrew’s Academy. Karen has received classical voice training, as well as the opportunity to participate in many performances, including tours of the US and Scandinavia with Nordic Choir under the direction of Weston Noble. Karen’s practical experience includes leading the children’s choir at her hometown Lutheran Church, as well as student teaching experiences in various schools around the Twin Cities. Karen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. In her free time Karen enjoys cooking, and drinking good coffee with her husband, a fellow musician.
Physical Education: Greg Hiers is an experienced tennis teacher and coach and has been the Tennis Director at the St. Paul Tennis Club since 1997. His college degree is in sports management and he participated in internships in leading tennis centers throughout the country. He currently coaches his son’s baseball, basketball, football, and soccer teams. Mr. Hiers is now delighted to be in a position where he can apply his teaching skills and passion for providing quality learning experiences in a school environment.
Spanish: Amy Luoma received her B.A. in Spanish from the University of Minnesota and her teaching license from Hamline University. She is currently completing her M.A. in teaching at Hamline. Amy has taught kindergarten through eighth grade Spanish, and has developed Spanish curricula for two schools before coming to St. Andrew’s in 2006. Amy has enjoyed two summers living and studying in Morelia, Mexico, and plans to return there as often as possible. Amy played varsity golf for Edina High School, and continues to enjoy the sport, having recently remarked that she thinks golf is the best sport ever invented!
Chaplain and Faith Discovery Teacher: Pastor Sarah Breckenridge is a graduate of Minnehaha Academy, St. Olaf College, and Luther Seminary where she specialized in youth and family ministry. Pastor Breckinridge served as Associate Pastor at St. Michael’s Church in Roseville from 1999 to 2007. In 1998/99 she taught religion in Slovakia, following four years as a pastor at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
She and husband are parents of one and three year old sons. Pastor Breckenridge sings, plays the violin (formerly in the St. Andrew’s Orchestra), bikes, runs, skis on both water and snow, and has competed in triathlons.
Morning Child Care: Lynn Hamblin graduated from La Crosse State University with a degree in K-12 Physical Education and a health minor. Her decision to be a stay home mom kept her out of the work force while she put her skills to use raising two children. Lynn has been with St. Andrew’s Academy since its inception in 2001, serving in various capacities. Lynn is an avid golfer and enjoys golf trips with her husband. She also has been involved in work with Habitat for Humanity through St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
After School Child Care: Jordan Sorenson is the lead staff person in the after school program. He comes to St. Andrew’s Academy from having been on staff in the St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church’s SummerSHINE program. Jordan has also assisted this past year with some of the evening church activities. He is currently completing coursework at Century College in preparation for a career in education.
Learning Consultant: Jeanne Eisenbarth: After several years of teaching fourth grade in Iowa, Jeanne earned a M.Ed. in elementary reading and, upon hearing the call of the loon, moved to Rochester, Minnesota to become a K-6 reading teacher and eventually a K-12 coordinator of gifted and talented. She wrote a framework for gifted and talented education and taught elementary gifted classes. Some years later, Jeanne earned a specialist degree from Winona State University in elementary administration and accepted an elementary principal position in White Bear Lake. During her tenure as elementary principal, her school was chosen as a School of Excellence by the Minnesota Elementary School Principal’s Association, and she participated in Fulbright Administrator Exchange with a school in Rio Cuarto, Cordoba, Argentina. Jeanne also remained active in reading leadership at the state and regional levels. In 2005, she co-chaired the 32nd Plains Regional Conference in Minneapolis. During her leisure time, Jeanne enjoys reading, traveling, walking, shopping, trying to learn Spanish, going to the theater and ball games. She is a Twins, Wolves, and Minnesota Gopher Women’s Basketball fan.
Head of School, Math Teacher: Ed Cavin is a graduate of Harvard College and earned his M.A. in Educational Administration at the University of St. Thomas. He began his education career as an elementary grades science and math teacher at Breck School, then in Minneapolis, and later became a public school principal and independent school head. During a sabbatical with an independent school, Ed returned to Harvard to be a Visiting Practitioner at the Graduate School of Education. Immediately before coming to St. Andrew’s Academy in 2006, Ed had returned to the classroom as a fifth grade teacher. Outside of school, Ed enjoys sailing and building projects at the family’s small farm.
Directories
OFFICE DIRECTORY
Phone 651-379-5299
Fax 651-426-1716
E-Mail info@saamn.org
STAFF DIRECTORY
Leigh Anderson
Fourth Grade Teacher, Lower School Director 651-762-9148
leigh.anderson@saamn.org
Sarah Breckenridge
Chaplain, Faith Discovery Teacher 651-332-8885
sarah.breckenridge@saamn.org
Ed Cavin
Head of School 651-762-9122
ed.cavin@saamn.org
Kristen Detert
First Grade Teacher 651-762-9153
kristen.detert@saamn.org
Angela Drange
Junior Kindergarten Teacher 651-762-9158 (shared)
angela.drange@saamn.org
Jeanne Eisenbarth
Educational Consultant, MAP Testing Coordinator 651-762-9128 (shared)
jeanne.eisenbarth@saamn.org
Lynn Hamblin
Before School Care 612-741-5417 (school cell)
lynn.hamblin@saamn.org
Greg Hiers
Physical Education Teacher 651-332-8885
greg.hiers@saamn.org
Abby Tuckner
Kindergarten Teacher 651-762-9158 (shared)
abby.tuckner@saamn.org
Amy Luoma
Spanish 651-332-8886
amy.luoma@saamn.org
Heather Norman
Third Grade Teacher 651-762-9128 (shared)
heather.norman@saamn.org
Jill Ryan
Fourth Grade Teacher 651-332-8891
jill.ryan@saamn.org
Karen Salter
Music, Second Grade, Music Lessons 651-762-9111
karen.salter@saamn.org
Jordan Sorenson
After School Care 651-762-9111
612-741-5417 (school cell)
jordan.sorenson@saamn.org
Cari Whitmore
Second Grade Teacher
651-762-9177
cari.whitmore@saamn.org
Extended Day Cell Phone
Before and After School Care
612-741-5417
FAMILY DIRECTORY
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