Modern Montessori Charter school Staff
Leadership & Administrative Staff
Kristy Fehr, Executive Director
Kristy’s info coming soon!
Becky Wirth, Operations Manager
Becky began at Modern Montessori as a parent volunteer and moved into a special education paraprofessional role in the spring of 2022. She then joined the office staff for the 2022-23 school year and has been thrilled to be a part of operations since. With over twenty years of experience in business management and office settings, Becky brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to MMCS daily operations. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading and spending time outdoors. As a parent of children who attend MMCS, she is passionate about the Modern Montessori experience, community and excited to help Modern Montessori grow!
Dona Fehr, Business Manager
Dona Fehr is a Modern Montessori Charter School co-founder has worked in the accounting field with small businesses for many years. She has worked specifically in charter school finance for the last 20 years, working closely with the School Finance Division of the Minnesota Department of Education for reporting requirements. She has been a part of the Modern Montessori team since the inaugural year and is especially excited to see all of the happy students eager to learn in the Montessori environment that has been created at the school. She also enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors on the water kayaking and boating.
McKenna Wentworth, Front Office/Nursing Assistant
McKenna Wentworth grew up here in Champlin, Minnesota! After many moves around the country, while her husband was in the Army for eight years, they settled back down in Dayton Minnesota. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Minnesota State University Mankato in 2012 with her bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies. She has worked in many various roles from running her own business to being a preschool teacher. McKenna first started at Modern Montessori Charter School as a substitute teacher in 2021. She is excited to step into this new role.
Devan Hunt, Student Support Specialist
Devan is a dedicated Student Support Specialist with a strong foundation in both educational administration as well as mental health and is committed to fostering an environment where every learner thrives. Passionate about promoting autonomy and instilling social responsibility, Devan works to ensure a supportive space for educators as well as an atmosphere where students feel both challenged and nurtured. Devan strives to navigate the balance of discipline with natural consequences, encouraging growth and resilience when students experience a challenging moment. She believes in the transformative power of education, which inspires her to do all she can to support experiences that guide students toward their full potential, ensuring they develop the personal skills needed for a fulfilling life as critical thinkers and compassionate future leaders. As an Idaho native Devan loves spending time outdoors with her daughter. They enjoy activities such as hiking, mountain biking, camping, skiing, paddle boarding, and yoga. Devan also loves to read, and is a big fan of The Arizona Diamondbacks, The Green Bay Packers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Luke Schlumpberger, Food Service Coordinator
More info coming soon!
Lucy Cervantes, Enrollment, Transporation & MARSS Coordinator
Lucy is excited to share her expertise in her new position as Enrollment and MARSS Coordinator. As the school’s former front desk/nursing assistant and Student Support Specialist, she has formed relationships with many of the student, staff and families in the Modern Montessori community. This will aid her well as she continues as the school’s Enrollment and MARSS Coordinator.
Teaching Staff
Rhonda LeSage, Children’s House Teacher
Rhonda and her husband of 33 years are from Michigan. She’s a Yooper; he’s a Troll! For the past 25 years, they have called Brooklyn Park “home”. They live with their 2 children, 3 cats, and a dog. Rhonda enjoys glamping, genealogy, rock hounding, thrifting, reading, foraging, and traveling.
Rhonda began her Montessori journey as a Teacher’s Assistant in Children’s House in Kalamazoo, MI. After moving to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1997, she attended Houston Montessori Training Center, and was certified with a Lower Elementary (E1) Credential. She served as a Lead Elementary Guide in both private and public charter Montessori schools. Rhonda later received an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from NAMC’s Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Training Program and has been a Lead Teacher in Children’s House since then. Guiding children toward independence and observing their evolution into proficient readers are her greatest joys as a teacher.
Lisa Dixon, Children’s House Teacher
This is Lisa Dixon's third year at Modern Montessori, and was certified from NAMC in Montessori Early Childhood in 2023. She has taught Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and has been a preschool director for a total of 16 years. Currently holding a K-8 Bachelors of Science in Teaching, Lisa is working on her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. She is very passionate about Early Childhood and believes those are the most formative years. Lisa works to create an inspiring and engaging learning environment in which children feel safe and secure while providing what students need in order to become lifelong learners. Lisa lives in Brooklyn Park with her boyfriend, two children (ages 15 and 11), and their Husky dog. She also loves to hike, bike, swim, boat, cross country ski, and try new restaurants.
Jenifer Praveen, Children’s House Teacher
Jenifer has been in Modern Montessori for 6 years and this is her 5th year teaching in Children’s House. She is very passionate about teaching the children about different cultures and people from around the world. She has been working with children for 20 years. She believes in love, respect and kindness, when taught young can change the world. Jenifer loves to travel, visit antiques stores, learn history and loves arts & crafts. Jenifer was born and raised in Chennai, India and moved to the US in 2004. She lives with her daughter (a former MMCS student) who is in high school now and an adorable 4.5 year old chocolate lab named Sky. Jenifer has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and has completed a certified Montessori training from North American Montessori Center. In her free time, she likes to visit parks and cook.
Patrick Kutzer, Lower Elementary Teacher
Patrick grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota and has lived in the Twin Cities area for the last 25+ years. Prior to settling in the Cities, he lived in Duluth, St. Cloud, studied abroad in Germany and traveled extensively in Europe and a little in Central America. His wife, Sinead, has been an owner/operator of Augsburg Park Montessori Children’s House in Richfield for over 20 years and they have raised their three children in a Montessori home.
Patrick holds a BA Degree in German Language and European Area Studies from the University of Minnesota, a K-6 Teaching License from St Scholastica and both Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary Montessori credentials from St Catherine's University. He has been involved in teaching in a Montessori classroom for over 11 years, working both in the private and public sector. He also spent a year as a student teacher in conventional school settings and at Twin Cities German Immersion School.
He enjoys hockey and is involved in the local youth hockey district board and church council. This is his seventh year at Modern Montessori as a Lower Elementary (EI) guide and he is looking forward to continuing this unique opportunity of helping create a strong and thriving culture of peace and learning!
Allison Koski, Lower Elementary Teacher
Allison is happy to be entering her fifth year teaching at Modern Montessori. She has a background in psychology and earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Saint Cloud State University in 2017. After working in the early childhood field after college, she fell in love with teaching and decided to pursue a career in education. She spent a year living in a tiny house (converted from a chicken coop!) in Winona while studying to earn a Master’s in Teaching from Saint Mary’s University in 2021. She has been a lower elementary teacher at Modern Montessori since then, and loves every part of being in the classroom. She strives to foster a classroom environment of peace and joy. When she is not teaching, Allison enjoys cooking, baking, watching football, and spending time with her husband and one-year-old daughter.
Leah Barrett, Lower Elementary Teacher
Leah has been with Modern Montessori since the fall of 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University and her Master’s in Education and Montessori Certification from UW-River Falls. Leah’s experience has taught her that there is more to school than standards and prepared lessons, but a sense of comfort and value within the classroom, a place where learning, independence, and fun can all be together. When she is not teaching, Leah enjoys reading, playing board games, cooking and hiking with her husband, and spending time with family and friends. Leah was nominated for Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2022.
Amy Haag, Upper Elementary Teacher
Amy has been helping children explore their world as an elementary Montessori teacher since 2001. Raised in Elk River, Amy graduated magna cum laude from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She trained at the Association Montessori International training center in St. Paul, Minnesota for both upper and lower elementary. Amy began her teaching career at Monarch Montessori in Elk River and taught E1 for 13 years. She then created an elementary Montessori homeschool co-op that she operated for 4 years. Amy is excited to be one of Modern Montessori’s E2 teachers. Amy is passionate about teaching all subjects, particularly biology, geometry, and math. She mostly enjoys giving lessons that open the students’ eyes to new ways of thinking and new worlds. In her spare time, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband Pete and children Josie and Nic. She enjoys going to zoos, museums, fossil hunting, and finding new fun experiences. She is also an enthusiastic biker, knitter, seamstress, and reader.
Craig Asche, Upper Elementary Teacher
Craig has worked as a Montessori educator in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and higher education for twenty years. He earned a BA in French, MA in Education, and Montessori credentials in elementary education from the American Montessori Society and secondary education from the North American Montessori Teachers’ Association. He is passionate about helping students reach their full potentials. Craig is excited to work with a variety of ages at Modern Montessori. When not exploring the universe with students in a Montessori environment, Craig likes to travel and explore this amazing planet by running, biking, and kayaking; he also likes to get creative by drawing, painting, trying to play guitar, and trying to cook up something tasty.
Luke Taylor, Upper Elementary Teacher
Luke Taylor is excited to start his first year at Modern Montessori. He graduated from Winona State University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Before working at Modern Montessori, Luke taught at two different schools in the Rochester area as a long term substitute. He loves to teach and hopes to create a classroom environment where each student feels comfortable and accepted. In his free time, you can find Luke playing sports like basketball, softball, and bowling as well as grilling, exploring nature, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.
Mark Biberg, Middle School Teacher
Mark grew up in Blackduck, Minnesota—a little town in northern Minnesota that feels a lot like Lake Wobegon. He now lives in Minnetonka with his wife, Erika, and their two sons: Rafael (19) and Sean (17). Rafael is beginning his junior year at the University of Minnesota, where he is studying biology and economics. Sean is a senior at Minnetonka High School and enjoys coding and most things tech-related.
Before moving to the Twin Cities, Mark and his family lived in Alaska. With Anchorage as their base, they moved around the state, while Mark taught primarily in rural (“Bush”) Alaska. He worked in ten different villages across four distinct cultural and geographic regions. His years in the Great North were often akin to an Alaskan odyssey of sorts.
This year marks Mark’s 24th year in education, including more than twenty years in Alaska, one in California, and several in Minnesota—in communities such as Blackduck, Verndale, St. Cloud, St. Paul, and Mankato.
The 2025–26 school year will be Mark’s second year at Modern Montessori, where he teaches Middle School social studies and English Language Arts. Although new to Montessori as a teaching approach, Mark brings experience with several philosophies that overlap with Montessori principles.
In his free time, Mark enjoys being with family, taking walks, watching the Vikings, and reading and writing about history. He also journals, listens to audiobooks, and keeps up with current events.
Mark’s education includes a B.A. in History and a B.S. in Social Studies from Bemidji State University, an M.S. in Addiction Studies from Capella University, and graduate work in cross-cultural and Alaska Native studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
A highlight of his undergraduate years was participating in Eurospring 1996, when he studied Renaissance history at Oxford University and toured the European continent, visiting fifteen cities.
From 1990 to 1994, Mark served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a Desert Storm veteran and spent several months in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1991. He later attended college on the GI Bill and remains a strong believer in service and giving back to the community.
Mark looks forward to building on his first year at Modern Montessori. He is grateful for the supportive and professional learning community that existed when he came which has allowed him to grow and learn in real time.
Peter Krueger, Art Teacher
Originally from Saint Louis Park, Peter Krueger is a graduate of UW-Madison. After years in the graphic design and printing industry, he found his true passion working with children as an Art teacher and classroom assistant. He is a published illustrator, and teaches Art during the summer at a Reggio Emilia learning center. At MMCS, Mr. Peter led the inaugural FIRST Lego League team this past fall. He loves to draw -- he even designed Cliff, our mountain goat mascot! His other hobbies include reading, playing guitar, and playing Pokemon Go. Along with his wife Amy, and their children Ezra and Eleanor, he always looks forward to taking weekend adventures to find historical markers, interesting small towns, and public art throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Nina Stone, Music Teacher and Children’s House Assistant
Nina Stone is very excited to be the Music Teacher at MMCS. Nina has a BS in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University and an MA in Educational Theatre from New York University. Nina’s teaching experience is wide & varied and spans 30 years. She’s been a Teaching Artist for ages K through 8th grade with The Leadership Program (NYC), Making Books Sing (NYC), and the Educational Arts Team (NJ). She’s also been a teacher for Gymboree Play & Music, Music Together and Music for Aardvarks. Nina spent 7 years teaching at The Dwight School in NYC as both teacher and curriculum writer for their Small Wonder Program. Later Nina became the music teacher at the JCC Metrowest Early Childhood Center (NJ). When she started teaching at the Dwight School, Nina began writing music for the preschool classroom. From there she has released three albums of award winning children’s music (as Miss Nina) and consistently performs at schools, libraries and institutions across the country including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Make-A-Wish Program, and Children's Minnesota.
Lizz Saxerud, STEM Teacher
This is Lizz’s fifth year teaching STEM at MMCS. She has a bachelor's degree from Augsburg College in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Pre-primary and her STEM Teaching Certificate. She spent many years teaching preschool and learning about the importance of play in childhood. She enjoys showing students how to use their playful creativity in a way to learn new concepts and develop new ideas. She has a passion for growth mindset and teaching the whole-child. She is also a mom of three girls, ages 19, 11 and 8. She enjoys writing, movies, and going on adventures with her girls.
Beatrice Stelten, Physical Education & Special Education Teacher
Beatrice Stelten has invested the last 30 years volunteering and working with children of all ages. Between Bea and her husband John, they have is most happy when her house is full and laughter is plenty. Health focused, she spends much of her time enjoying outdoor activities, and is constantly challenging herself to discover new ways to increase the yield from her organic vegetable garden. After 20 years of teaching classes for her local homeschool co-op, she made the decision to attend Metropolitan State University where she designed and earned a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Philosophies of Health and Wellness in Education. As a previous employee of Anoka Hennepin School District, she held positions as a Math Intervention Specialist and K-12 substitute teacher. Her experiences during this time, once again validated the need for alternatives to standard public education and charter schools definitely have the potential to offer expanded educational options for students who do not fit the traditional model. She believes that every child carries with them unique character strengths and abilities, and by allowing them to develop and discover at their own pace, they have more opportunity to develop into resilient, productive adults. With this being said, she is overjoyed to be a part of Modern Montessori staff.
Alysia Williams, Special Education Coordinator & Interventionist
Alysia Williams is excited to start another year with MMCS. She has worked at MMCS since they opened. Alysia started as a Children’s House teacher, then moved to a Reading interventionist along with a special education teacher. While fulfilling those roles, she also was our DAC (district assessment coordinator), taught ELL (English language learner) while last November moved into the Special Education Coordinator role.This year Alysia will be starting the school year as our Special Education Coordinator along with teaching reading intervention classes for gen ed students and ELL classes. She has completed degrees in both Early Childhood Education and Human Development Family Studies back in 2002 from UW Stout. Also, received her Montessori license from St.Kates in 2005. Alysia had previously taught 1st grade at a Charter School in Brooklyn Park for 5 years, 10 years as a Children’s House Montessori teacher for Step by Step Montessori,and taught k-3rd grade as a long term sub in the Minneapolis School District. She has always had a passion for working with children. She loves Montessori philosophy and is very experienced with a variety of learning and intervention tools. Outside of teaching, Alysia enjoys spending time with her family ( husband, children and grandchildren), traveling, boating, being outside and a good movie.
Tatum Whiteford, Special Education Teacher
Tatum is excited to be joining the MMCS family for the 2024-2025 school year! She has her Bachelor of Arts from the University of St. Thomas, majoring in Art History, and double minoring in Museum Studies and Communications and Journalism. She then proceeded to obtain her Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Bethel University. It was during her time at Bethel University that she received her K-12 Visual Arts teaching license. She was awarded Summa Cum Laude honors at both the undergraduate and graduate level. With two years of public school experience in the visual arts, she is excited to explore Montessori methods with her new MMCS students, staff, and community members!
Support Staff
Pamela Luden, Middle School Science Teacher & Facilities Associate
Pamela has been actively involved at MMCS since 2020 as a parent, middle school teacher, substitute teacher, facilities associate, Lego Club guide, and volunteer. Originally from Wisconsin, she grew up on a dairy farm as one of six siblings, where she developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for nature. With bachelors degrees in Biology and Art from The College of St. Scholastica, Pamela brings both expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom. She loves encouraging students’ curiosity and understanding of the world around them.
Pamela enjoys staying active and creative. She loves kayaking, hiking, biking, fixing things, and listening to books. She also enjoys baking (and eating) homemade treats, painting, photography, sewing, and brewing her own kombucha. Her diverse interests inspire her teaching and reflect her passion for lifelong learning.
Melissa Pizzalato, Children’s House Assistant
Melissa Pizzalato has many years of experience working as an educational assistant in the elementary setting. She loves the multiage classrooms at Modern Montessori and enjoys forming relationships with the school’s littlest learners. She also enjoys the school’s small, community feel and is connected to many in the community.
Lindsay Holiday, Lower Elementary Assistant
Lindsay Holiday is a Minnesota native who graduated from Northwestern University with double majors in Psychology and Biblical Theology. She has been working with children for over 20 years in roles including Preschool Teacher, Special-Ed Para, and the Director of an after-school program. After spending several years at home with her kids full-time, Lindsay found an easy transition back into work at Modern Montessori and is thankful for the community she and her kids have made here. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, being active outdoors, and doing arts, crafts and DIY projects.
Mel Peifer-Freeman, Upper Elementary Assistant
Ms. Mel holds an Associate of Arts degree and started her career in the classroom during her years spent working at Minnesota Children’s Museum. From there, she branched out and taught pre-k for several years, before taking a job as a traveling art teacher. During that time, she also worked to grow her photography business, while simultaneously teaching children the art of photography. After her third child was born, she worked exclusively as a photographer until Covid brought that to a halt. Ms. Mel felt a calling to get back into the classroom, and is thrilled to not only be a parent at Modern Montessori, but now also a teacher here. Outside of being an E2 Assistant, she also works as an advocate for the LGBT+ community, and as the Children and Youth Coordinator at her church. She also loves bugs, plants, sushi, kayaking, and being a life-long learner while expanding her own level of education.
Pam Dummer, Lower Elementary Assistant
Pam began her role as a Children’s House Teacher Assistant at the start of Modern Montessori’s 2019/2020 inaugural year. After two years in Children’s House as well as helping in the office, she transitioned as a Teacher Assistant in E1. Her career background includes 13 years at Sleep Number Corporation where she held roles in Customer Service, Retail Operations and Human Resources. She continued her Human Resources career for another 10 years at Robbinsdale School District. Pam feels privileged to be surrounded by an amazing group of coworkers and kiddos. In her spare time she enjoys time with her family and friends.
Jaime Miller, Special Education Paraprofessional
Jaime Miller is in her second year as a paraprofessional at Modern Montessori Charter School. With previous experience in Montessori settings, she has enjoyed continuing to support students using the Montessori method. She loves the intrinsic motivation she gets to see develop in the students she supports. She is a team player and loves supporting anywhere she can!
Mel Foote, Special Education Paraprofessional
Mel attended St. Cloud State University pursuing a bachelor’s in special education after working as a special education paraprofessional for ISD 279. Even though it’s her first year at MMCS she is no stranger to The Montessori Method. Mel worked for a wonderful teacher who introduced her to the Montessori method and it has been a core value for her family.
She and her family, husband Charlie, kids Oliver and Elliot, and cats Tofu and Mochi, live in Maple Grove. Her family keeps her pretty busy, but in her spare free time Mel enjoys reading, nature walks, kayaking, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and trying new recipes.
Abby Phelps, Special Education Paraprofessional
Abigail Phelps is in her third year as a Special Education paraprofessional. She is comfortable working with any age level and is able to connect with students in all grades. Additionally, she is able to utilize her passion for reading to help keep the school’s library organized. She loves the small community feel of Modern Montessori Charter School.
Noah Vogelpohl, Lower Elementary Assistant
Noah is in his second year on staff at Modern Montessori. Noah grew up in Dayton, MN and attended college at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota where he spent 2 years studying Communication, Psychology, and also played Football. Noah is very happy to be an assistant to lower elementary and is ready to help out in any way he can. In his spare time, Noah enjoys watching sports, being with his family, long walks, and spending as much time as he can with his Australian Shepherd, Apollo.
Andrea Schlumpberger, Upper Elementary Assistant
Andrea has worked in various educational settings, from Early Childhood to Middle School, and started at MMCS in 2021. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, and continues to enjoy learning and helping students find confidence. She is inspired by the caring nature of every staff member here. She and her husband have four children, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. One of them is a former MMCS student! Andrea likes spending time with her family, watching sports, taking road trips, going to plays, and reading.