Academic Faculty

Danial Davis joined the SPCPA staff in 2012 as an English instructor. Mr. Davis graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in English and Linguistics. He has experience teaching in Tamil Nadu, India, and was the Senior Counselor of Public Relations at Nebraska American Legion Cornhusker Boys’ State.

Mike Deraney joined the SPCPA staff in 2009 as a special education instructor. Mr. Deraney graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with a B.S. in Special Education and Visual Arts and a M.A. in Special Education. Mr. Deraney has teaching experience in several Metro Area school districts. While living in New York City, Mr. Deraney co-founded a small business that employed and mentored high school students in co-operation with New York Public Schools transition program; for his service in this program, he was named New York City’s “Businessman of the Year”.

Allison Driessen began working as a Biology teacher at SPCPA in 2012. She received her BS in Environmental Science and is currently working on an MA in Education in Secondary Life Science, both at the University of Minnesota. Ms. Dreissen has extensive experience in Biological research, including both lab and field work, including time spent in China, Costa Rica, and the Bahamas.

Winona Duren graduated from Luther College with a BA in Theatre and Dance and a Minor in Biology, and received her Post Baccalaureate training in Life Science Education at Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. Before joining the SPCPA Science department in 2012, Ms. Bruggemann worked with the Doorways Youth Project in Saltburn by the Sea, England, as youth worker in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, for three years, and teaching various dance classes.

Chantel Fragassi joined SPCPA’s Spanish department in 2012. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BA in Spanish and Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Print Journalism. During her time at UST, she spent one year in Seville, Spain. Ms. Fragassi also received her MA in Teaching from National-Louis university in Chicago. She has experience teaching Spanish in Northern Minnesota and writing and producing both radio and television news for Chicago’s NBC affiliate.

Bethan Franz joined SPCPA in the fall of 2012 as a Social Studies instructor. She graduated from Carleton College in 2002 with a B.A. in Political Science. Her college career included studies in American public policy, European political economy, and four years of NCAA basketball. She has teaching experience in Washington state, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and for the Department of Defense Schools in Naples, Italy. She also has experience as a victim advocate, legal assistant and Department of the Navy financial counselor.

Dustin Haug joined the SPCPA staff in 2008 as a dance instructor and in 2009 took on the role of Chemistry instructor. Mr. Haug graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in Studio Art and Evergreen College with a MA in Teaching.

Nicole Hughes joined the SPCPA staff in 2011 as an English instructor. Ms. Hughes received a BA in English from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and a BS in Secondary English Education from Bemidji State University. Ms. Hughes also has experience coaching speech and mock trial.

Elisa Johnson joined the SPCPA staff in 2006 as an English instructor. Ms. Johnson graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in English and a M.Ed. in English education. Ms. Johnson is a member of Phi Beta Kappa’s Alpha Chapter and a Minnesota Writing Project fellow.

Stephen Kemp joined the SPCPA staff in 2011 as a Mathematics instructor. Mr. Kemp graduated from Concordia College with a B.A. in Mathematics Education and Spanish. Mr. Kemp studied the history of mathematics during a study abroad trip to Egypt and Europe. He also studied Voice at Concordia College and was a member of the internationally recognized Concordia Choir.

Kate Larson joined the SPCPA staff in 2011 as a French instructor. Ms. Larson graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. She studied abroad in Angers, France, and previously taught French in Houston, Texas.

Kelly McQuillan joined the SPCPA staff in 2009 as a Social Studies instructor and took on the role of AVID elective instructor in 2010. Ms. McQuillan graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with a B.A. in Archaeology /Anthropology and the University of St. Thomas with a MA in Teaching.

Kristin McWilliams has worked as a part of the SPCPA staff since 2007 as a Mathematics instructor. Ms. McWilliams graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. in Math Education and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.

Jillian Miller began her work in the SPCPA Special Education department in 2012. She received her BA in Social Studies Education and Special Education (E/BD & LD) licensure through Bethel University. She is currently completing her MA in Special Education, also at Bethel University. In 2011, she was named ACR Homes Staff of the Year and has previously worked at Forest Lake High School as an EBD Teacher and Community of Peach Academy as a Special Education Paraprofessional. In addition, she ran a music and arts venue for young adults in St. Paul called “The Space” for two years.

Ryan Nelson joined the Social Studies department in 2012. He has previous teaching experience at Torah Academy in St. Louis Park, MN, and Punta Gorda, Belize. Mr. Nelson received a BA in Teaching Social Studies and a BS in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and spent time abroad in England taking a course on the History of Soccer.

Amy Odlund joined the SPCPA Science department in 2012. She majored in Biology at St. Olaf college in Northfield, MN, and received her MA in Education at University of St. Thomas, in Minneapolis, MN. Ms. Odlund played varsity soccer at St. Olaf and studied abroad in Ecuador, Egypt, India and South Korea.

Taylor Reece joined the SPCPA staff in 2010 as a Mathematics instructor. Mr. Reece graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in Math Education and Computer Science. In addition to teaching in Minnesota, Mr. Reece has teaching experience in India and Hawaii.

Susan Semmler joined SPCPA in 2008 as a Science instructor and took on the role of Dean of Students in 2012. Ms. Semmler graduated with a BS in Biology and Secondary Education from Augustana College and an MA in Educational Technology from Lesley University. She is currently pursuing an Ed. S. degree from University of St. Thomas. Ms. Semmler is an AVID trained teacher and, in addition to teaching in Minnesota, has experience teaching internationally.

Christine Smithberg joined the SPCPA World Languages department as a Spanish teacher in 2012. She received her BS in Education and Spanish from University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and her MA in Education from St. Mary’s University, Twin Cities. She spent a summer studying in Valladolid, Spain, and has fourteen years of teaching experience in middle school, high school and university settings.

Nathan Strenge joined the SPCPA staff in 2011 as a Mathematics instructor. Mr. Strenge graduated from Augustana College with a BA in Mathematics and Secondary Education. He has experience teaching in Minnesota as well as at the International School of Lausanne in Switzerland.

Kjersti Vevle has been working as a part of the SPCPA staff since 2005 as a Social Studies instructor. Ms. Vevle graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in History and Dance and a M.A.T. in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas. In addition to being an AVID trained teacher, Ms. Vevle is a member of Phi Alpha Theta.

Josh Welter joined the SPCPA staff in 2010 as an English instructor. Mr. Welter graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in English education. In addition to teaching in Minnesota, Mr. Welter has teaching experience in Iowa and Mexico.