ACADEMIC FACULTY
Connor Blocher, Special Education Teacher
Connor received a Bachelor’s degree in History from St. John’s University and a Master’s degree in Teaching from Augsburg University. He worked for several years in hospital administration prior to becoming an educator. This is his second year as an Academic and Behavioral Strategist at SPCPA.
Dustin Haug, Science Teacher Dustin has been a staff member since fall of 2008. He has taught SPCPA students in modern dance, improvisation, partnering, chemistry, physics, and physical science. In 2012, he created the J-Term piece Everything, All at Once for the Evening of Dance showcase. Before SPCPA, Dustin lived in Seattle, WA, where he taught high school science, horticulture, and visual art in addition to touring and performing with KT Niehoff’s lingo dancetheater. He also tutors students in ACT/SAT prep, teaches dance outside of SPCPA at Zenon Dance School, and performs with Mathew Janczewski’s ARENA Dances. He loves his job and is super inspired by his students every day.
Taylor Lohman, Social Studies Ms. Lohman received her Social Studies Teaching major from Winona State University, and completed her double major in history and theology at Concordia University in St. Paul. She earned her Masters in English from the Oxford Brookes University in England, writing about the prevalence of the Frankenstein mythos in modern science fiction.
Marisa Perrine, Science Teacher Marisa recieved a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Master’s in Science Education from the University of Minnesota. They were chosen as a CEHD Schulze Future Teacher Scholar while in graduate school. Marisa has 10 years of experience working with youth in various settings, including coaching synchronized swimming, camp counseling and tutoring.
Natalie Reinhart, Social Studies Teacher Ms. Reinhart earned her Social Studies licensure and B.A. in American Studies from Carleton College. Ms. Reinhart formerly worked in AVID classrooms as a tutor and co-teacher, and she spent the 2016 school year in Minneapolis Public Schools as a student teacher and reserve teacher.
Alec Rutten, Math Teacher Alec is entering his fifth year of teaching. He has previously taught at an international high school and then a STEM middle school. Alec has a B.S. in math from the U of M and MEd in Math Education from the U of M.
Gina Sekelsky, English Teacher Ms. Sekelsky holds a B.A. in Education from St. Mary’s University. After teaching elementary school in St. Louis Park, MN, she owned a graphic art studio for over twenty years before returning to education. Ms. Sekelsky joined the SPCPA community first as a parent; she began teaching in the English department in 2016.
Sam Stoffel, Special Education Teacher Sam received a Bachelor’s in Multidisciplinary Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Master’s in Special Eduation (Emotional Behavior Disorders) from the Univeristy of St. Thomas. This is Sam’s 10th year teaching and 12th year in education.
Dustin Haug, Science Teacher Dustin has been a staff member since fall of 2008. He has taught SPCPA students in modern dance, improvisation, partnering, chemistry, physics, and physical science. In 2012, he created the J-Term piece Everything, All at Once for the Evening of Dance showcase. Before SPCPA, Dustin lived in Seattle, WA, where he taught high school science, horticulture, and visual art in addition to touring and performing with KT Niehoff’s lingo dancetheater. He also tutors students in ACT/SAT prep, teaches dance outside of SPCPA at Zenon Dance School, and performs with Mathew Janczewski’s ARENA Dances. He loves his job and is super inspired by his students every day.
Taylor Lohman, Social Studies Ms. Lohman received her Social Studies Teaching major from Winona State University, and completed her double major in history and theology at Concordia University in St. Paul. She earned her Masters in English from the Oxford Brookes University in England, writing about the prevalence of the Frankenstein mythos in modern science fiction.
Marisa Perrine, Science Teacher Marisa recieved a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Master’s in Science Education from the University of Minnesota. They were chosen as a CEHD Schulze Future Teacher Scholar while in graduate school. Marisa has 10 years of experience working with youth in various settings, including coaching synchronized swimming, camp counseling and tutoring.
Natalie Reinhart, Social Studies Teacher Ms. Reinhart earned her Social Studies licensure and B.A. in American Studies from Carleton College. Ms. Reinhart formerly worked in AVID classrooms as a tutor and co-teacher, and she spent the 2016 school year in Minneapolis Public Schools as a student teacher and reserve teacher.
Alec Rutten, Math Teacher Alec is entering his fifth year of teaching. He has previously taught at an international high school and then a STEM middle school. Alec has a B.S. in math from the U of M and MEd in Math Education from the U of M.
Gina Sekelsky, English Teacher Ms. Sekelsky holds a B.A. in Education from St. Mary’s University. After teaching elementary school in St. Louis Park, MN, she owned a graphic art studio for over twenty years before returning to education. Ms. Sekelsky joined the SPCPA community first as a parent; she began teaching in the English department in 2016.
Sam Stoffel, Special Education Teacher Sam received a Bachelor’s in Multidisciplinary Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Master’s in Special Eduation (Emotional Behavior Disorders) from the Univeristy of St. Thomas. This is Sam’s 10th year teaching and 12th year in education.