EDUCATORS | Sage Academy HS

Mandy Abrahamson, Paraprofessional, Community and Family Engagement Coordinator

Cooper Bleyhl- Science/Freshman Advisor, Testing Coordinator, Building Coordinator

My name is Cooper and I grew up in Elk River, MN I went to school at UW-LaCrosse and got a bachelor's degree in freshwater biology and a minor in chemistry. I am planning on going back to school in the near future to earn a degree in education. Outside of school I am a youth hockey coach for Elk river.

I am very excited for this opportunity to work in a smaller school and get to know all the students and learn their personalities.

Emily Hegland

Paraprofessional, Community and Family Engagement Cooridnator

Cari-Ana, Director/Superintendent

I have been with SAGE for 13 years starting as a social studies teacher, advisor, service-learning advisor, board member and currently Director and Superintendent. I also act as the Homelessness Coordinator and ELL Coordinator.

I am passionate about service and community-building, strongly believe in their educational value in creating lifelong learners prepared to succeed in our ever interdependent world.

I love to travel, kayak, hike, try new food, and spend time with my family and dogs.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to share ideas!

Projects and Recovery Teacher

Homeless Coordinator

Migrant Liaison

ELL Coordinator

Community Engagement Coordinator

Communications

Leslie Geist, Special Education Case Manager, Math co-teacher

I have been in education for over 12 years. I have been in special education for over 5 years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Teaching & Learning, and Special Education. I am currently 4 classes away from obtaining my Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management as well. I hold 4 teaching licenses and 1 variance, K-6 Elementary Education, 5-8 Mathematics, K-12 Emotional Behavior Disorder (EBD), K-12 Learning Disabilities (LD), and a variance for K-12 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

I believe in being a lifelong learner and passing this knowledge onto my students. I love spending time with my family, watching football, and traveling to experience new and exciting places. I look forward to working on the board of education for district 4087 to empower and change our students' lives.

Christine Johnson, Administrative Assistant, Student Services

Hey everyone!

My name is Christine. I am a Ravenclaw and I’ve been working with kids in various positions for the last 25 years. I have been a nanny, a preschool teacher, chemical dependency technician, youth counselor, paraprofessional and now admin assistant. This is my 4th year at SAGE and I love being a part of the SAGE family.

Outside of SAGE Academy, I love spending time with my family and our fur babies. We enjoy kayaking, camping, scary movies, movies in the backyard along with drive-in movies in the Summer. We are rarely home during the Halloween season at my house, too many haunted houses and pumpkin patches to go to. Winter is all about Hygge; coffee/cocoa, comfy blankets, curled up in front of the fireplace with my family...and some sledding.

I look forward to seeing all the SAGE kids this year and I hope everyone had a super amazing Summer!

Melissa Guzy, Special Education Case Manager, ELA Co-teacher Community & Family Engagement Coordinator

My name is Melissa Guzy, and I am a new Special Education Teacher this year. While I am new to Sage this year, I have been teaching for over 10 years. I live in Coon Rapids, which is also where I grew up. I enjoy spending time outside, listening to music, cooking, watching football, swimming and traveling. I spend most of my freetime with my children. I love cats and have two of them at home - Asher and Butters. I am so excited to teach and learn with the SAGE team this year!

Steven Johnson, Paraprofessional

My name is Steve Johnson, and I am excited to be a part of the Sage Academy team this year!

I have worked as an Education Assistant and Youth Worker for 24 years and find the work fun and rewarding.

In my free time I enjoy playing music, camping and hanging out with my wife, grown kids and 6 grandkids

Jeremy Lund, Fine Arts/Senior Advisor, Media Specialist

Ms. M- ELA/Sophomore Advisor, School Climate Coordinator

I’m Camille and I’m so excited for my first teaching position here at SAGE Academy for the 2022-2023 school year! I’m an English Language Arts teacher. I got my bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa but I was born and raised in St. Paul. I’m queer, a Pisces, a Slytherin, and love cats (although I don’t have one….yet)

I pride myself on being understanding while still having high expectations of my students. I’m a firm believer that once a rapport is built between students and teachers, the learning becomes more meaningful.

Amber Newton, Phy Ed. instructor, Freshman co-advisor, Student Engagement Coordinator

Nick Tapio- Social Studies/Junior advisor Media Specialist

Hello I'm Nick Tapio.This is my 8th year being a Social Studies Teacher & my 2nd year at SAGE. I earned a Bachelor's degree in history from Saint Mary's University of MN & then earned my Master's degree in Education from Saint Mary's as well. If it's social studies, I've taught it.

When not in school you can catch me consuming as much soccer & hockey content as I can. I also play a lot of D&D and video games with my buds.

Cam Reed, Counselor Testing Coordinator, Building Coordinator

This is my fifth year at SAGE Academy, and I absolutely love it. SAGE puts students first and we are all in this together. I attended Bemidji State University for my Bachelors degree, and University of Northern Iowa, where I received my Masters degree. I have worked in schools for 9 years and love being a school counselor. When I'm not at SAGE, I love to be active and work out at the gym. When its nice out, you can find me outside biking or walking my dog, Nessie. She is training to be a Therapy dog and getting comfortable at SAGE. When I find time, I love to travel. Please reach out if you have any questions or just want to say hi.

Bradley Willis

Paraprofessional

School Health Specialist

Carly Smithkowski Licensed School Nurse, Associated School Nurse

Consultants of the Twin Cities

csmitkowski@tcschoolnurses.org

Special Education Counsaltants

Jennifer Heieie

Special Education Director, Indigo Education

jheieie@indigoed.org

(800) 281-9980 ext. 64

Kim Herman

Speech Pathologist, By Word of Mouth

kimberlyherman@bywordofmouthltd.com

Heather Schimdt

Occupational Therapist, Integrative Therapy

education@integrativeot.org