I am a chemistry teacher at Washington Technology Magnet School in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I have a PhD in Natural Resources Science and Management from the University of Minnesota where my research focused on making compostable polymers from plant materials. I am amazed by this universe we live in and the interactions between matter and energy that occur throughout it – from those that take place on the nanoscopic scale to those that occur in the vast expanse of space. I feel a deep and vested interest in the conservation of our fragile and beautiful Earth. I love to learn, and feel that I am able to more deeply appreciate the universe around me the more I understand it. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, jogging, biking, hiking, swimming, cooking, and doing nearly anything outdoors. I look forward to our journey this summer of constructing knowledge to learn about outer space, astronomy, the solar system, and how we know what we know!
Archives
Elyse Lewis
Megan Wallin
Megan Wallin graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire with a BA in K-12 Art Education. She has been the Art Specialist for 13 years at Edgerton Elementary in the Roseville School District. As an art educator, Megan loves the challenge of helping kids to solve the same artistic problem in a variety of ways and encourage kids to highlight their individual experiences and interests. In her free time, Megan enjoys painting, drawing, running and cooking. This is her second year at Summer Academy.
Madeline Zukowski
Maddie Zukowski is a Kindergarten teacher at Snail Lake School in the Mounds View School District. She has been teaching for 11 years, has her Master’s of Education from the University of Minnesota and this will be her fourth summer teaching at Summer Academy. Ms. Zukowski has been a pioneer with S.T.E.A.M. education in the Mounds View District and is passionate about helping students grow their skills in problems solving, inquiry, and critical thinking. She is excited to guide students through a fun, hands-on exploration of animals and environments from all over the world at Summer Academy.
Denise Woodcock
Denise Woodcock is a Kindergarten specialist teacher at Snail Lake School in the Mounds View School District. Her specialist areas include art, science, music, technology and physical education. Denise has her Master’s of Education in Teaching and Learning from St. Mary’s. She has been teaching for 27 years and is excited for her 4th year at Summer Academy.
Kara Cassidy
Kara Cassidy is a Kindergarten teacher at Snail Lake School in the Mounds View School District. She has her Master’s of Education from the University of Minnesota and has been teaching for 10 years. Ms. Cassidy has a passion for developing independent critical thinking problem solvers as she explores alongside her students at Summer Academy.
Maegan Melby
Maegan Melby is a second and third grade teacher at RL Stevenson Elementary in Fridley Public Schools. She has been teaching elementary for five years, including two years teaching abroad in Taiwan. She has her Master’s of Education from the University of Minnesota. Maegan loves to bring to life diverse cultures and perspectives in her teaching, while also focusing on hands-on, interactive learning. She is passionate about developing lifelong learners. This is her first year teaching Summer Academy.
Megan Hibbard
Megan Hibbard has taught fifth grade at Otter Lake Elementary in the White Bear Lake School District for three years. She has a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota.She lived and went to school in Tokyo, Japan for seven years. This is Ms. Hibbard’s third year at Summer Academy.
Rachel Henley
Rachel Henley received her BA degree in Elementary Education and French and her Masters degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. Rachel has taught 3rd grade at Rice Lake Elementary in the Centennial School District for 6 years. This past year, she worked with highly gifted 3rd graders in the Odyssey program. This will be Rachel’s first year teaching Summer Academy. Rachel is passionate about learning and is looking forward to working with her Summer Academy students this summer!
Jenna Proulx
Jenna Proulx is in her second year of teaching and is currently a sixth grade teacher within the Maplewood school district. She graduated in 2020 at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth with a degree in elementary education. She is currently working on receiving a masters degree in education. Along with academics, she has had experience teaching abroad in Tanzania and Mexico. She enjoys traveling, being outdoors, running and writing.