Kindergarten

Danita Jones

Hi, my name is Danita Jones. I have worked as a Special Education EA and as a Kindergarten teacher. I grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I received my B.A. degree in Elementary Education from North Central University. Prior to coming to Excell I taught preschool for almost two years. For fun, I enjoy trying new foods, shopping, reading, Zumba, and spending time with family and friends. I am very excited to be working with the smart, and talented students at Excell Academy this year.

Sarah Kempf

Ms. Kempf was born in the Twin Cities and has lived in the Twin Cities her entire life. She received her BA in Geography from the University of St. Thomas and her teaching license and MA in Elementary Education from the University of St. Thomas. As an undergraduate at the University of St. Thomas, Ms. Kempf worked in the St. Thomas Child Development Center. After graduating from the University of St. Thomas with her BA she worked at St. Paul’s Childhood Center in St. Paul as a preschool teacher for a few years before accepting a job with Saint Paul Public Schools. Ms. Kempf worked for Saint Paul Public Schools for 8 years as a Teaching Assistant while she completed her teacher licensure/MA program in Elementary Education.

When Ms. Kempf is not teaching her rock star kindergartners, she can be found playing violin in the St. Paul Jewish Community Center Symphony Orchestra, playing guitar, trail running, Olympic weightlifting, volunteering at the Animal Humane Society, and cheering on her beloved Chelsea FC.

Sharleen Blanco

Hello, my name is Sharleen Blanco. I have lived in Wisconsin and Arizona but spent most of my childhood in Fridley, MN. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education and Middle School ELA from MN State University, Mankato in 2012. I live with my husband of 15+ years and our two teenage boys in Bloomington, MN. I always say that I hit the jackpot with my boys; they are growing up so fast though and I’m trying to treasure every moment.

Prior to pursuing a second career in education, I worked in the medical field, commercial real estate in marketing and construction management, and with adults with developmental development and learning challenges. In the spring, when not teaching, you’ll find me outside in nature managing a staff of 12-15 adults at my greenhouse. I enjoy working with adults, but LOVE working with children!

This is my sixth year at Excell and I currently teach Kindergarten. Prior to teaching at Excell, I worked as a MS ELA teacher with 7th and 8th graders. Teaching is the hardest yet most rewarding profession I have had. Even on the most challenging days, I feel so blessed. I enjoy helping students find their super-powers and seeing the possibilities around them. Some of my prior students have gone on to pursue degrees in publishing and media, the medical field, law enforcement, teaching, research, and as counselors. I believe strongly in identifying your passion and writing (and as needed, rewriting) your own story. I am never too busy to take a moment to catch up with a prior student; they are why I am here after all.

I value communication and making strong connections with my students. I look forward to meeting everyone this year!

First Grade

Kula Giddings

Hi, my name is Kula Giddings. I was born in Liberia and came to the United States at the age of 4. I’ve lived in New York, Rhode Island, and Minnesota. I received my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State University in 2011. After graduating, I worked as a learning instructor, at a center for learning, to adults with learning and developmental disabilities.

I currently teach 1st grade at Excell Academy. Teaching is Fabulous! I look forward to meeting my new students and their family this upcoming year!

Katy Yelle

Mrs. Katy Yelle grew up in Annapolis, MD and is a graduate of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. After graduating college she spent 2 years serving as an AmeriCorps*VISTA in North Charleston, SC at Chicora Elementary School. She loved the school so much she decided to work there full time coordinating special programs and community involvement at the school. She spent her last two years in Charleston establishing a district-wide AmeriCorps literacy program while earning her Master’s in Public Administration. Since she was a little girl Mrs. Yelle always dreamed of being a teacher, these experiences convinced her it was time to start….Teaching is a dream come true, and she is SO excited to be at Excell! She can’t believe how much the time has flown since she started teaching at Excell in 2013.

Mrs. Yelle lives in St. Paul with her husband, Matt, and her cat, Elsie. She loves playing games, doing puzzles and reading in her free time.

Second Grade

Sarah Sen

Jennifer Schemenauer

Third Grade

Riki Baker

Third Grade is the best grade! I absolutely love this age group and love learning with my students every year. Learning is my favorite! I have a lot of degrees to prove it: Architectural Drafting & Estimating, Spanish, Construction Management, ESL teaching, and Elementary Education. I took some interesting routes to get where I am, including eight years in the military, but feel so very fortunate to have found my home at Excell. I love coming to “work” every single day. We have a great staff family who cares very much about our students. When I am not at school, I am home with my other wonderful family. I live in the area with my husband and three children. My youngest is currently a student at Excell as well!

Amy Vanderlin

Fourth Grade

Amanda Walters

Hannah Pardun

Fifth Grade

Amber Merrigan

Welcome to Fifth Grade!

My name is Amber Merrigan and I am thrilled to be back for another exciting year at Excell Academy. I am originally from Minnesota, but have lived and taught in many other states including Iowa, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Hawai’i. I went to college at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa where I received my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Music. I am grateful to have a job where I get to learn something new each day.

Elyse Lewis

Sixth Grade

Angela Hillestad

Hi, I am Angela Hillestad and I have been teaching 6th grade at Excell Academy since 2011. I love working at Excell because we have an amazing school culture where teachers and students all strive to do their best.

I grew up in North Minneapolis and attended Patrick Henry High School. I have a master’s degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. My husband, Scott and I have two children, Sydney and Flynn. We enjoy hanging out with our kids, playing outside and watching movies.

Seventh Grade (Middle School Math)

Kip Sneen

Kipton Sneen was born in the Twin Cities and has lived his entire life in Minnesota. He has a BS in Elementary Education with a Specialty in Mathematics and a BA in Painting and Drawing from Bemidji State University. His interests include exercise, movies and martial arts. His values include hard work, strength, persistence and a mentality of improvement.

Eighth Grade (Middle School Language Arts)

Beth Mueller

Hi, I am Beth Mueller and I teach 7th and 8th grade Language Arts. I grew up in Brooklyn Park and graduated from Park Center. I earned my bachelors degree in Communication Arts and Literature (grades 5-12) from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2005. I taught in the Anoka-Hennepin District for four years at Crossroads Alternative High School-West Campus in Champlin before coming to Excell Academy in 2010. I earned my K-12 Reading Specialist Endorsement in August of 2011. I also completed my Curriculum and Instruction Master’s Degree from Concordia University, St. Paul in May of 2012. I am married to Chad and have two sons, Owen and Dominic.

Excell Academy

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