Staff Biographies
TWLS is proud to have a profoundly committed team of educated, experienced staff. These individuals are understanding, thoroughly schooled in their areas of focus, and distinctively qualified to serve our students.
Ann Rooney, M Ed.
Head of School
A.Rooney@twls.org
Prior to being named head of school in 2006, Ann served The Whole Learning School as lead teacher, director of curriculum and director of instruction. Ann joined The Whole Learning School because she saw the remarkable opportunity to build a program that reaches children at their instructional learning levels.
"This type of programming allows students to significantly reduce their frustration levels, reduce off-task behavior and dramatically increase academic, social, and emotional development," Ann says. She finds it tremendously satisfying to watch the growth of the students and the overwhelming effect it has on families as they see their child's remarkable transformation.
Ann's 15-year career in education has been committed to working with the families of and with children who have special education needs. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in K-12 special education from St. Cloud State University and a Master of Education degree from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. She holds licensures in Specific Learning Disabilities, Developmental Cognitive Disabilities and Emotional Behavior Disabilities.
In addition to her teaching experience, Ann has been an assessment specialist and coordinator and a district level staff development presenter for training special education teachers, regular education teachers, and paraprofessionals.
Julie Hoff
Director of Marketing and Fund Development
J.Hoff@twls.org
After six years in the world of real estate, Julie returned to her "nonprofit roots" in August 2007 when she joined the staff of The Whole Learning School. Along with her real estate skills, she brings almost 15 years experience in nonprofit management, event planning and communications.
"The best thing about being back in the nonprofit world is the feeling that I am making a difference in someone's life everyday," Julie said. "Parents of students here tell me how their lives have changed because of this school.and I get to be a part of giving more people that opportunity."
Julie attended the University of Minnesota and majored in political science. In addition to her work at TWLS, she enjoys freelance writing, cooking and traveling with her husband, Ron, as much as possible.
Katherine Taylor
Lower School Teacher
K.Taylor@twls.org
A newcomer to TWLS this year, Katherine brings with her 15 years of teaching experience. Previously a sixth grade teacher in California, she started as a substitute in the Minneapolis schools when she returned to Minnesota. Shortly thereafter, she was retained by the Minneapolis schools as a special education teacher in grades K-8.
Katherine spent three years teaching English as a second language to students in Laos, an experience that truly enhanced her teaching skills and expanded her teaching philosophy, especially in working with unique populations of children. She strives to be an instrument of inspiration and courage in the lives of all her students and she knows first-hand that all students can learn.
Katherine has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota and a Master's in Special Education from Bethel University in St. Paul.
Lori Opsal, B.A.
Drama Specialist
info@twls.org
Lori Opsal has a B.A. in Theatre Arts and an extensive background in many areas of the theatre. She has acted with a number of different theatre companies with an education emphasis. For the past 11 years, Lori has been a costume and make-up designer for professional and community theaters, as well as for school and youth group productions. In addition to acting and working behind the scenes, Lori is a youth theatre educator, teaching single-session classes, week-long workshops and on-going residencies. Lori is now associated with the
Stages Theatre Company
Donna Callender
Educational Assistant
D.Callender@twls.org
Donna is beginning her first full year as a teaching assistant with TWLS after joining us in February 2007. Her early career was as senior editor for a U.S. government-contracted research company. She began teaching in 1996 as an instructional assistant in Edina's French immersion elementary school. For the next five years, she served as Richfield Public Schools' first rotating special education paraprofessional. Specializing in emotional and behavioral disorders, she worked with people from ages four to 22 in several special education programs.
Donna is pleased to be back at TWLS this year, working with and learning from her colleagues and students. She loves TWLS because everything here is "Always about the kids." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from George Mason University, as well as post-graduate work in writing and publications management at the Glen Echo Writer's Center and at George Washington University, respectively. She also has attended many professional development conferences on autism.
Ruth Cracraft
Educational Assistant
R.Cracraft@twls.org
Ruth is excited to be in her second year with TWLS and brings with her a wealth of experiences in elementary, early childhood education and dance, including a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining TWLS, she worked with Fraser for five years as a respite aid and briefly, with REM, as a group home director for adults with developmental disabilities. Ruth also spent several years living in Hawaii and being a toddler teacher at KCAA Mother-Rice, the first preschool established in Honolulu.
Ruth feels fortunate to be at TWLS where she can incorporate her background in dance and movement education. A dancer since the age of 14, she has danced with City of Lakes Junior Ballet, Winona College Dance Company, and Maria, Colleen, and Kids. Her performance credits include The McKnight Theater, The Children's International Dance Festival, and Midwest College Dance Festival.
Melissa Wenszell
Music Therapy Teacher
New to TWLS this year, Melissa Wenszell joined MacPhail Center for Music in 2001 and is really enjoying the students at TWLS. Melissa is a board-certified music therapist and comes to TWLS with extensive experience in music therapy assessment and goal development and documentation. She earned a bachelor of music therapy degree from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and completed training in Neurological Music Therapy through the Center for Biomedical Research in Music.
Sue McCrary
Classroom Teacher
Elated describes how Sue feels about being part of a school model that truly teaches kids! Sue joined TWLS in August 2008 after teaching in the public schools for ten years. She is incredibly impressed with the results she is achieving using TWLS’s direct instruction approach for each of her students.
Before teaching, Sue ran a licensed day care in her home so she could be home with her three kids, the youngest of whom is now a junior in high school. She earned her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University in 1987 and her master’s degree from St. Mary’s University in 2005. Sue enjoys spending time with her family, coaching cross country in Edina, reading and kayaking. Sue met husband Kelly at Western Michigan and married 22 years ago. Kelly is an orientation and mobility specialist for the blind.
– The Whole Learning School
5524 West 41st Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 (952) 345-2295