Academic Faculty

Valene Beckman joined the SPCPA staff in 2009 as a Spanish instructor.  Profe Beckman graduated from Bethel University with a B.A. in Spanish education and later with a M.A. degree in education.  In addition to studying abroad in both Guatemala and Uruguay, Profe Beckman has teaching experience in several Metro Area school districts.

Cassie Castro joined the SPCPA staff in 2011 as a special education teacher. Ms. Castro earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Huron University and attended Bemidji State University earning teaching licensure in special education. Ms. Castro is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Special Education through Bemidji State.

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 was the Senior Counselor of Public Relations at Nebraska American Legion Cornhusker Boys’ State. 

Art Delgado joined the SPCPA staff in 2007 as a social studies instructor.  Mr. Delgado graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a B.S.E in social studies and a M.A. in history.  In addition to his time at SPCPA, Mr. Delgado has taught in other states including Missouri where he was a department chair at Moberly High School.  A former campaign manager, Mr. Delgado is also the author of Counterfeit Reich: Hitler’s Secret Swindle.

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”.

Robert Donisch joined the SPCPA staff in 2010 as a life science teacher.  Rob graduated with a B.S. in natural science education from the University of Wisconsin at Steven’s Point.  In addition to student teaching in Wisconsin, Rob also student taught in New Zealand.  Rob has also worked as a coach and a camp counselor.

Shelly Hadden joined the SPCPA staff in 2011 as a Spanish instructor. Ms. Hadden received a bachelors degree in Anthropology/Spanish from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a masters degree in Education from Hamline University. She also studied abroad at Jose Ortega Foundation in Toledo, Spain and taught fifth graders in Tre Rios, Costa Rica in a full immersion setting.

Dustin Haug joined the SPCPA staff in 2008 as a dance instructor and in 2009 also took on the role as a chemistry instructor.  Mr. Haug graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in studio art and the 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.

Carrie Jarvis joined the SPCPA staff in 2008 as an English instructor and took on the role of Post-Secondary Advisor in 2010.  Ms. Jarvis graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in English education and a certificate in sexuality studies; she graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a M.Ed. in curriculum & instruction, and most recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas with an Ed.S. in school administration.  Ms. Jarvis has taught in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota, and presented at the National Council Teachers of English convention in 2006.

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 joined the SPCPA staff in 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.

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 the SPCPA staff in 2008 as a science instructor.  Ms. Semmler graduated with a BS in biology and secondary education from Augustana College and a MA in educational technology from Lesley University.  Ms. Semmler is an AVID trained teacher; in addition to teaching in Minnesota, Ms. Semmler has experience teaching internationally.

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.

Ross Van Hauen joined the SPCPA staff in 2010 as a science instructor.  Mr. Van Hauen graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato with a BS in Life Science.

Kjersti Vevle joined the SPCPA staff in 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.