John Howitz -  Executive Director

John Howitz holds a Minnesota principal’s license, has been a social studies teacher, and has founded a charter school.  He has been the Alternative Programs Coordinator for the Minneapolis Public Schools, the Executive Director for the Metropolitan Federation of Alternative Schools, the Principal at MTS/PEASE Academy in Minneapolis, and the Assistant Principal at Crossroads High School in Anoka.  Mr. Howitz comes to Eagle Ridge Academy with a lot of experience in fiscal management of schools and large alternative programs and has been successful in building programs throughout his career.  
 

Laurie Basic - Educational Assistant, Lower School

Laurie graduated magna cum laude from UW-Eau Claire with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a minor in Social Studies.  She spent many years as an elementary teacher in both Oshkosh and Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.  She has an extensive background individualizing instruction and teaching gifted and talented as well as autism spectrum disorder students.  After a relocation to California with her husband, Laurie took time off to raise her young family.  Since her return to the Midwest, Laurie has spent her time managing traveling soccer teams and competitive dance teams, marketing and staging homes for a local realtor, and volunteering in the Eden Prairie Schools.  All three of her children will be attending ERA this fall.  Laurie loves to keep busy completing gardening, woodworking, and design projects.

Dan Clapero –  History, Upper School

Dan Clapero has had experience teaching Economics, World History, Geography and American History. He was awarded a B.S. in Social Studies and History from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has been very involved in the school communities that he has been a part of, including helping bring students to Mississippi to help with reconstruction efforts after Hurricane Katrina, and helping students create a documentary about their school. He has a personal goal of traveling to all 50 states and has so far visited 42.

Karen Conner – Receptionist, Upper School

John D'Alessandro - Special Education, Upper School

John D’Alessandro graduated in 1976 with a B.S. in Education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. He has worked in the Special Education field for eight years, most recently at DaVinci Academy of Arts and Sciences. John is originally from Chicago, IL, but has lived in Minnesota since 1981, so he considers himself a Minnesotan (although he is still a Bears and Cubs fan).

John lives in Maple Grove, MN with his wonderful wife Deborah, who is also a school teacher. They have two grown children: Jerome and Danielle.

In his spare time John likes to read, bird watch, travel, and is very passionate about soccer. He is an USSF C licensed coach and avid follower of the game. He especially enjoys watching the English and Italian leagues and the World Cup games.

Angela DeBoer - Second Grade

Ms. DeBoer was born in South Korea.  At age 1 1/2 she was adopted and moved to South Dakota, where she grew up.  She graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern College in 1999.  She then earned her MN Teaching License in 2005.  For the last 12 years she has worked with children in education as a nanny, director in training of a daycare center, private teacher, college admissions counselor and a classroom teacher.  She loves children and is passionate about investing quality time in Second Graders in order to unleash the great potential she feels each one has.  In her spare time she enjoys wakeboarding, traveling, volunteering for at-risk and underprivileged children, reading children's books and spending time with family and friends.

Molly Gerber - Health Coordinator

Mrs. Gerber has a BSN degree in nursing from the College of St. Benedict, and an MSE from the University of Wisconsin, Superior. She is also a certified First Responder. Mrs. Gerber has one child attending Eagle Ridge Academy. She enjoys the outdoors; particularly, running and biking. 

Janice Gerheart- Second Grade

Janice Gerheart graduated from Crown College in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in early childhood/elementary education.  Ms. Gerheart has a strong passion for children and learning.  Along with raising her own three children, Ms. Gerheart has worked as a preschool teacher and a young infant teacher at a Chanhassen learning center.  She has also spent a great deal of time reserve teaching in local school districts as well as tutoring students in reading and math.  Ms. Gerheart has been the parent of an Eagle Ridge Academy student since its opening in 2004 and is excited to be a second grade teacher at the lower school.  When not working, she enjoys reading, traveling, hanging out with friends and family and drinking Caribou coffee!

Nikki Gillitzer - Kindergarten

Nikki Gillitzer graduated in 2006 from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.  She taught in the Eastern Carver County School District for 3 years, and is excited to be at Eagle Ridge Academy.  In her free time, Ms. Gillitzer enjoys decorating her new home, cooking, and being outdoors.  When she's feeling creative, she enjoys beading and scrapbooking.

Wendy Golter - Educational Assistant, Lower School

Before joining Eagle Ridge Academy, Mrs. Golter worked as a paraprofessional in the special education department of Eagle Creek Elementary in Shakopee MN.  She grew up in Brookfield WI and attended the University of WI- Milwaukee until job relocation moved her and her husband.  After several transfers, they are happy to be settled in Savage MN with their two children, who attend Eagle Ridge Academy.  In their spare time, they enjoy boating, biking and skiing together.

April Grabanski graduated from North Central University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a concentration in Communication Arts.  She helped start the Junior High Program at Life Academy in Bloomington and worked there for seven years.  The last two years she has been pursuing her Master's in Education through Walden University.  In her spare time she enjoys gardening, studying, reading, collecting stars, and playing with her children.  Her two dogs wish she had more time to take them to the dog park!

Bob Guelich -  Mathematics, Upper School

Bob Guelich, a former senior vice-president for the Target Corporation, is a part-time mathematics teacher. Mr. Guelich completed an initial licensure program at the University of Minnesota and now holds a Minnesota teaching license in mathematics for grades 5 through  12. Mr. Guelich earned a BA degree  in statistics from Princeton University in New Jersey and a Master in Business Administration from Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Guelich has been teaching at Eagle Ridge Academy since its opening in the fall of 2004.


Mr. Guelich enjoys attending the productions at the Guthrie Theater, traveling with his family, trying out new restaurants, taking pictures, watching soccer at all levels, and playing golf.

Jacob Hairrell - Science, Upper School

Mr. Hairrell graduated in 2004 with a B.S. in physics and a minor in astronomy from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.  He immediately went on to earn a Master's degree in Science Education through the University of Minnesota’s post-baccalaureate program.  He is a member of the American Association of Physics teachers, the Minnesota Astronomical Society, and of his unofficial Nerd Club, which he founded as a way for physics teachers to maintain content knowledge, current events, and pass on interesting ideas.  In his spare time, Mr. H enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, cooking and eating different foods, travelling, stargazing, studying ethnoastronomy, and listening to progressive heavy metal. 

Melissa Hegg - Latin, Upper School

Melissa Hegg holds a Bacheler of Arts in both Latin and K-12 Education with an emphasis in Classics from Concordia College in Moorehead, Minnesota. A Minnesota native, she recently relocated from Arizona, where she taught fifth and seventh grade Latin and Classics for one year at a nationally ranked charter school.

Stephenie Janson - Educational Assistant, Upper School

Stephenie Janson graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota-Morris.  She holds degrees in Business Management, Economics, and Theatre.  Before applying as a part time “lunch lady” at ERA, she worked as a Café & Catering Manager for American Express & General Mills.  She also worked in Sales & Marketing for over ten years.  She has a Food Management License through the State of MN.  She loves her expanded duties at ERA which now encompass Food Director, Organizational Coach, Spirit Wear Coordinator, and miscellaneous administrative help.

Her son currently attends ERA, her daughter will be part of the new ERA elementary next year. 

Mitch Jensen - Physical Education, Lower School

Mr. Jensen graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education.  While at Bethany, Mitch played linebacker for their nationally ranked football team.  He received his M.Ed. in Physical Education from the University of Minnesota.  Mr. Jensen has taught Physical Education and Health for 27 years, including 24 years as teacher and head football and wrestling coach at Minneapolis Lutheran High School.  he has also been a baseball umpire for 21 years.  He is married with two grown sons.  In his free time he enjoys boating, working out, and spending time with their three dogs - Blaze, Bosco and Baxter.

Erin Johnson -  Humanities, Upper School

Erin Johnson taught middle school English for three years, worked as Dean of Students, and is now the District Assessment Coordinator, our College Advisor,  and a Humanities teacher.  She is the faculty coordinator for the Eagle Ridge Academy Student Senate, and has co-directed the spring musicals Into the Woods, Bye Bye Birdie, and Guys and Dolls.

Mrs. Johnson is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, with a Bachelor of Arts in history and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis.

Mrs. Johnson is a tennis coach, voice teacher and vocalist. She also loves to bake, play with her sons Gabriel and Mikko, take voice lessons and perform in recitals.

Jon Kamrath -  Art, Upper School

Jon Kamrath received his Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Concordia College in Moorehead, MN in 2003, where he met his wife Heidi. After undergraduate school, Jon taught fifth through eighth grade art in Fergus Falls Middle School in Fergus Falls, MN. He spent the last three years working with college students at Iowa State University where he received his Masters of Fine Arts in Integrated Visual Arts (sculpture) in 2008. He has been in both solo and juried group shows in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa. He has pieces in both public and private collections, including The Rourke Art Museum, Iowa State University, and Des Moines University.

When not in the classroom, Mr. Kamrath is either in his home studio preparing for shows, or taking care of his son Noah.

Missy Madigan - Fourth Grade

Mrs. Madigan graduated magna cum laude from St. Cloud State University in 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary with a concentration in Communication Arts and Literature.  She has been with Eagle Ridge Academy since November 2009 as a middle school science long-term substitute, special education assistant, and a one-on-one special support teacher.  She brings a spark of energy and enthusiasm for making learning real and relevant.  Mrs. Madigan is excited to teach fourth graders to think critically and creatively while helping them become active citizens.  When not lesson planning or grading papers, she likes to catch a good book or a few fish at her family's cabin up north.  She and her husband love baseball and will chat with anyone who wants to talk Twins!

Sarah Manke - Mathematics, Upper School

Sarah Manke graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2009.  She student taught at Richfield Middle School and Totino Grace High School, a private college-preparatory school.  She is the advisor of the Eagle Ridge Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Ms. Manke enjoys playing with her rabbit and watching movies in her spare time.  This spring she will be pursuing her coaching aspirations, returning to her high school as the pitching coach for the softball team.

Sonja Menard – Lower School Dean

Sonja Menard graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Management and minors in English and Spanish.  She received her Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of St. Thomas with middle school specializations in Social Studies and Communication Arts/Literature.  For the past three years, she has taught middle school English at Eagle Ridge Academy.  Prior to working at Eagle Ridge Academy, she taught preschool and fourth grade.  She is very excited to continue to serve Eagle Ridge Academy in her new position as Lower School Dean.  She is currently pursuing her Minnesota principal's license.  She enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Grumbly.  In her spare time, she often reads, cooks, travels, visits the family cabin, and spends time with family and friends.

John Miller - Humanities, Upper School

John Miller studied agriculture at the University of Georgia; then took time out to work in Camphill Village, a community for developmentally disabled adults. From there he went to Emerson College in England, where he studied biodynamic agriculture, returning afterward to work on the farm at Camphill. John was married at Camphill and his first child was born there. Mr.Miller and his wife Kerry have been married for 30 years and have four children, three grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law. Mr. Miller has been a teacher since 1987. He has a BA in Ancient Studies from the University of Minnesota and an MA in Education from Augsburg College. Mr. Miller has also worked in the non–profit sector. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing, where he develops curriculum and teaches on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Mr. Miller joined Eagle Ridge in the spring of 2009 and is very happy to be teaching interested and dedicated students who have been trained to be inquiring and insightful thinkers. 

Sacha Muller - Fourth Grade

Sacha Muller has worked with Eagle Ridge Academy in a variety of long term substitute jobs over the last four years. He graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences in 2002. He earned a Master in Teaching degree from The Evergreen State College in 2005. He has taught in a variety of schools in both Washington and Minnesota.

After graduating from Evergreen, he moved with his family to Minnesota. He spends his time away from school with his wife and two boys. Together they enjoy fishing, geocaching, and other outdoor activities. 

Sarah Nimchuk - Music, Upper & Lower School

Ms. Nimchuk studied Music Education at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago and at St. Cloud State University, completing her degree in 2003.  She then taught Elementary Orchestra in Northfield, Elementary Classroom Music for Eden Prairie Schools and founded the District 112 Orchestra program for grades 6 through 12.  Ms. Nimchuk also has over 10 years of experience teaching private lessons for students of piano, guitar and string instruments.  Her performance experiences include college choirs, bands and orchestras, the Romanza String Quartet, the Chaska Valley Family Theater and the Chaska Community Choir.  Ms. Nimchuk currently lives in Chaska with her husband and their three-year-old daughter.  This is her first year with Eagle Ridge Academy and she is very excited about teaching Elementary Classroom Music, Sixth Grade Classroom Music, and High School Choir.

Heidi Palm - Kindergarten

Mrs. Palm graduated with honors from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2009.  She has a degree in elementary education and is licensed in both pre-primary and elementary education.  She has student taught in Kindergarten, Second, and Third grades.  She spent her first year teaching as a lead preschool teacher at an inner-city school in St. Paul.  Mrs. Palm enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband and their family and friends.  Some of her favorite things include Christmas, monkeys, Little House on the Prairie, children's books, and coffee!

Amy Rau - Third Grade

Mrs. Rau worked as a program director for a small nonprofit and as a Nordic ski coach at Eden Prairie High School after graduation from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Community Health.  She received a K-8 teaching license with a science specialty through Augsburg College and continues to work toward her master's degree.  She likes to spend her free time with her husband, Brodie, and their kitten, Duncan.  She also enjoys skiing, biking, traveling and reading.

Austen Rockcastle -  Math, Upper School

Dr. Rockcastle, a former assistant professor of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, teaches math, logic and high school humanities classes. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics, a Master of Arts in philosophy and a Doctor of Philosophy in philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Rockcastle taught for seven years at the Trinity School at River Ridge in Bloomington, Minnesota. He was responsible for a number of disciplines including Latin, French, humane letters, mathematics, theology and logic. He is also a member of the Aquinas Honor Society (Delta Epsilon Sigma).

He lives in St. Paul, and has one son: Daniel.
 

Susan Roeber - Third Grade

Ms. Roeber holds a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.  She licensed in Elementary Education with a Social Studies specialty.  She comes to Eagle Ridge with 2 years of teaching experience in third grade.  In her free time, Ms. Roeber enjoys learning new things, watching the Twins, camping, and spending time with her family and friends.

Karen Sahli - First Grade

Karen Sahli holds a Bachelor's degree, cum laude in teaching from Bethel University and a M.S. summa cum laude, in Reading and Literacy from Walden University.  She has also attended Orton-Gillingham training in order to more effectively teach reading, which is her life's passion.  Karen has 6 years of experience teaching third and fourth grades with time spent in two different Blue Ribbon Schools of excellence.  Karen is an avid biker and something of a gym rat.  She also plays tennis and is slowly learning to enjoy camping with her very outdoorsy husband. 

Rochelle Schelling - Special Education, Lower School

Sara Sloneker - Humanities, Upper School

Sara Sloneker is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, Minnesota, with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Literature and holds a Master of Arts in Instruction also from Saint Mary’s. In college, she was a member of Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society), Sigma Tau Delta (International English Honor Society), and Delta Epsilon Sigma (National Scholastic Honor Society). She also took part in the Lasallian Honors Program where she studied the Great Books Curriculum. After college, she taught at Holy Trinity Catholic School.

This is Ms. Sloneker’s first year at Eagle Ridge Academy. She is one of the yearbook advisors and the mock trial coach. In her spare time, she likes to read, go to plays and musicals, and spend time at the Arboretum.

Carolyn Sommers Tillotson - Science, Upper School

Mrs. Sommers Tillotson, a former AmeriCorps member in Northfield, Minnesota, teaches middle school science at Eagle Ridge Academy and co-chaired the Academy’s science fair. She received her Bachelor of Arts in biology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where she also minored in secondary education. Mrs. Sommers-Tillotson has also studied subtropical and marine biology at the Bahamian Field Station in San Salvador, Bahamas; winter ecology at the Teton Science School in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and in a German/American Exchange Program in Wartburg, Germany.

Mrs. Sommers Tillotson has worked at the River Bend Nature Center in Faribault, Minnesota, assisting with seasonal programs such as Winter Fest, and returned to the Teton Science School as a field research station manager.

Mrs. Sommers Tillotson loves to cook, and recently enjoyed traveling to Puerto Rico with her husband.

Robert Stulac -  Latin, Upper School

After receiving a B.A. in History of Science from Yale University, and an M.A. in Medieval History from the University of Nebraska, Mr. Stulac completed the Ph.D. coursework in Medieval History at the University of Minnesota. Prior to coming to Eagle Ridge Academy, he worked as a graduate assistant in history, and taught Latin and chemistry to various grade level students.

Mr. Stulac spends his free time reading, rock climbing, and coin collecting, and participating in strategy games.

Julie Twetan - Receptionist, Lower School

Mrs. Twetan graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin, Stout with a bachelor's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation.  She has been active as a volunteer and parent at Eagle Ridge Academy since 2005.  She currently has a Senior and an 8th grader at Eagle Ridge Academy.  Her favorite things include spending time with family and friends, reading, and cheering on her Packers - despite living in "enemy territory!"

Dan Walker - Fifth Grade

Mr. Walker graduated from Bethel University with a degree in International Relations/Business.  He then worked as a PE teacher in a large private school in southern California for 7 years.  During that time he received his elementary teaching licenses.  For the last 18 years he has taught at Chapel Hill in Chanhassen.  Mr. Walker has experience teaching third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades as well as junior high Biblical Studies and history.  He has also dabbled in coaching.  Mr. Walker has organized 8 trips to the east coast to study our nation's history and government.  He will certainly impart his love of learning into his students. Mr. Walker is married to an elementary teacher and has two daughters.  He loves to garden, read, work on home projects, go to Twins games and take walks with his wife and wacky dog Deke.

Mary Wolff - Spanish, Upper School

Ms. Wolff received her Bachelor's degree in Spanish and Physical Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato; her K-6 Certification from the University of Minnesota; and a Court Reporting degree from the Minnesota School of Business. She worked several years as a freelance court reporter and served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Court Reporters Association for several years. She is currently in her 14th year of teaching Spanish at the secondary level.

Ms. Wolff enjoys the theater, musicals, gardening and landscaping; and she has danced in national competitions with her daughters for several years. She is a "former" soccer mom for her three children who are now adults and getting established in their own careers. Her dog, Hunter, likes to take her for walks in the neighborhood..