Katie Strand
2nd Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: K-6 Elementary Education
Education: University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Bio:
Room: 106 / #1106
Email: kstrand@stepacademymn.org
Julia Rose
2/3 Grade Math Intervention, Elementary
Certification: M.Ed. B-3 Early Childhood Education; K-6 Elementary Education
Education: University of Minnesota
Bio: I taught third grade at another school for four years before this, and this is my first year at STEP! I am excited to join the math intervention team this year and will be working with second and third graders.
Room: 82 / #1082
Email: jrose@stepacademymn.org
Nicole Juve
Special Education Teacher, Elementary
Certification: K-6 Elementary Education; K-12 Academic Behavioral Strategist
Education: University of Minnesota Duluth
Bio: My name is Nikki Juve and this is my first year at Step Academy after graduating from UMD last year. I currently live in Albertville, MN. In my free time I love playing with my dog, being outdoors, and exploring new places!
Room: 86 / #1086
Email: njuve@stepacademymn.org
Kelly Hollis
K-5 Specialist Art and Science, Elementary
Certification:
Education:
Bio:
Room:
Email: khollis@stepacademymn.org
Aleshia Youso
Kindergarten Teacher, Elementary
Certification: K-6 Elementary Education
Education: Saint Cloud State University
Bio: This is my 4th year at STEP Academy
Room: 110 / #1110
Email: ayouso@stepacademymn.org
Brandon Mortenson
PE, Elementary
Certification: K-12 Physical Education
Education: Northern State University
Bio: I am very excited and honored to be teaching at STEP Academy. This will be my 2nd year teaching Elem PE at STEP Academy.
Room: 98 / #1098
Email: bmortenson@stepacademymn.org
Christina Smith
4th Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: K-6 Elementary Education
Education: Western Governors University
Bio: I am an Elementary Teacher who loves to read, craft, and spend time with my family when I'm not at school. I love working with kids and watching their excitement about learning!
Room: 101 / #1101
Email: csmith@stepacademymn.org
Kara Hanson
4th Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: B.S. Elementary Education
Education: Winona State University
Bio:
Room: 95 / #1095
Email: khanson@stepacademymn.org
Trent Substad
4th Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: K-6 Elementary Education
Education: Bethel University
Bio:
Room: 102 / #1102
Email: tsubstad@stepacademymn.org
Hannah Treptow
3rd Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: B.S. Elementary Education; General Science
Education: University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Bio:
Room: 105 / #1105
Email: htreptow@stepacademymn.org
Cara Fisher
3rd Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: B.S. Elementary Education
Education: University of Wisconsin- River Falls
Bio: I'm Ms. Fisher, this will be my 3rd year at STEP Academy. This my 5th year teaching elementary school. When I am not teaching I love spending time with my family and friends!
Room: 104 / #1104
Email: cfisher@stepacademymn.org
Amelia Campbell
2nd Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: B.S. 1-6 Elementary Education & Child Welfare
Education: University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire
Bio: This is my second year at STEP. I grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota and went to college in Wisconsin. When not in school, I enjoy running, reading books and hanging out with my family. I also just got married this summer.
Room: 109 / #1109
Email: acampbell@stepacademymn.org
Jessica Weeks
1sst Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: K-12 ESL & Dance
Education: Saint Olaf College
Bio: My name is Jessica Weeks. This is my 3rd year teaching at STEP Academy. Previously, I was known as Miss Rames, but I got married over the summer and my name has changed to Mrs Weeks. In my free time, I love to read, take care of my plants, and play with my cat named Juniper.
Room: 108 / #1108
Email: jweeks@stepacademymn.org
Jacob Norwick
ES Math Intervention, Elementary
Certification: B-3 Early Childhood Education; B-Age 6 Early Childhood Special Education; 5-8 Mathematics
Education: University of Minnesota-Duluth
Bio: My name is Jake Norwick and this 2021-22 school year will be my third year here at Step Academy! I currently live in Richfield with my wife and our two dachshunds! I enjoy all sports, the outdoors, and astronomy!
Room: 82 / #1082
Email: jnorwick@stepacademymn.org
Darlah Krug
K-1 Math Intervention, Elementary
Certification: B.S. Child and Family Studies; MEd Elementary Education; MEd Educational Leadership
Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison; National Louis University -Chicago; University of Wisconsin- River Falls
Bio: I am Mrs. Krug and I teach math intervention for our kindergarten and 1st grade friends! I was born and raised in the wonderful city of Chicago. I am a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Madison...Go Badgers! This will be my third year as part of the STEP Academy family!
Room: 82 / #1082
Email: dkrug@stepacademymn.org
Frank Straub
ES Reading Intervention, Elementary
Certification: B.A. History & Sociology; K-6 Elementary Education
Education: Creighton University; Hamline University
Bio: I entered teaching as a second career in my 40's, and really enjoy teaching at STEP Academy. Looking forward to working face to face with students again this year!
Room: 82 / #1082
Email: fstraub@stepacademymn.com
Emma Olson
SPED Coordinator, Elementary
Certification: K-6 Elementary Education; K-12 Special Education: Specific Learning Disabilities; K-12 Special Education: Emotional/Behavioral Disorders; K-12 Admin: Director of Special Education
Education:
Bio: It is my pleasure and honor to introduce myself as the District Coordinator of Special Education at STEP Academy. I am extremely proud and excited to once again serve this school community! I look forward to partnering with you in the education of your child. Feel free to contact me at any time. We are going to have a fantastic school year!
Room: Lower Level Office / #1184
Email: eolson@stepacademymn.org
Edward Davis
ELL 3-5th Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: B.S. Ecology; M.A. Urban Planning; M.A. K-12 ELL
Education: University of Vermont; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Saint Mary's University
Bio: I consider myself a Renaissance person hence I could not pick a subject to teach. Since I struggled with language as a child, I became an ELL teacher to help other students who also struggle with language and share many subjects. I enjoy the outdoors, motorcycles/bicycles, building/repairing anything, and British mystery dramas! My family lives on the Eastside of St. Paul, since the turn of the last century (not 1900 🙂 LOL).
Room: 89 / #1089
Email: edavis@stepacademymn.org
Nawal Sheikhomar
1st Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: B.S. K-6 Elementary Education
Education: Metropolitan State University
Bio: My name is Nawal. I have been working at STEP ACADEMY since 2017 and so honored to be working with my community. I love traveling and finding time to explore new hobbies such as archery and pottery.
Room: 111/ #1111
Email: nsheikhomar@stepacademymn.org
Chris Welter
Assistant Dean of Elementary, Administration
Certification: B.S. Kinesiology- Emphasis in Physical Education
Education: San Diego State University
Bio: The thing that I really enjoy about working at STEP Academy is the sense of community and teamwork that is present in the staff members, faculty, and students. What drew me to become an educator was the enjoyment that I had when I first started coaching sports. Being a source of positivity in someone's life is something that I look forward to everyday and something that I hope I can be for a long time. When I am not teaching I enjoy running, hiking, biking and really just being outside as well as staying in and watching my favorite sports teams (Vikings, Twins, and Oklahoma University).
Room: 99 / #1199
Email: cwelter@stepacademymn.org
Noelle Heinzen
Kindergarten Teacher, Elementary
Certification: B.S. M.S. K-6 Elementary Education
Education: University of Minnesota
Bio: My name is Mrs. Heinzen, and I teach kindergarten at STEP Academy. I grew up in Wisconsin but I went to college in Minnesota. This will be my 5th year teaching kindergarten at STEP Academy. I love teaching kindergarten because I love to help students learn and enjoy school when they first start coming to STEP Academy. I can’t wait to work with your child this school year!
Room: 112 / #1112
Email: nheinzen@stepacademymn.org
Megan Crawford
5th Grade Teacher, Elementary
Certification: M.A. Teaching; K-6 Elementary Education
Education: Hamline University
Bio: This is my 5th year at Step Academy and I am so excited to be back! When I'm not at school I love to read, swim, bike, and see new places. I am looking forward to a great school year!
Room: 103 / #1103
Email: mcrawford@stepacademymn.org