Jerry Lopez, Founder and Director - Jerry has BA in Social Science from Saint Cloud State University. For over 18 years Jerry has developed an expertise in culturally relevant educational methods and interculturalism. He likes to organize outdoor camping experiences for urban youth and families, and each year he helps organize an environmental justice conference on Saint Paul’s West Side. In addition, Jerry is a Mexica/Azteca dancer and student of indigenous teachings of more than 18 years and has learned to apply the indigenous models of education, organizational structure and leadership to school community. Above all, Jerry says, “I am a very happy family man! I love my family, my culture (s) and my community.”
Lisa Bellanger, Dean of Students – Lisa M. Bellanger is Anishinabe Ojibwe, and a a lifetime human rights defender within the Native movement. Lisa graduated from High School at the Heart of the Earth Survival School then attended the American Indian OIC for administrative assistant, and later received her BA in Urban Studies from NAES College and in 2010 received a Masters in Education from U of M, Duluth and is currently working on an Elementary license at the Univ. of St. Thomas. Lisa has worked in Education for over 20 years at the Heart of the Earth Survival School, Native Arts High School, and Minneapolis Public Schools before coming to MIA. Lisa is the mother of 13 and grandmother to 14 with one on the way.
Laura Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant – Laura Rodriguez has worked with children and youth for over 10 years and volunteers to support young women in her community, including the Girl Scouts as a delegate, the National Latina Institute of Reproductive Health by representing the state of MN and currently serves as a community member for the Saint Paul City School board. Laura has a culinary arts degree from LeCordon Blue and recently completed a Neighborhood Leadership Institute Program with Wilder Foundation. Laura also enjoys cooking, dancing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
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Lindsay Bednar, Language Arts - Lindsay Bednar grew up in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She then went to St. Cloud State University where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Communication Arts & Literature as well as her teaching licensure for Language Arts in grades 5-12. Lindsay began substitute teaching in the Anoka Hennepin district where she fell in love with the alternative programs. This led her to teach Language Arts at Crossroads Alternative School for three years. In 2010, she sought out MIA as her new home. Lindsay enjoys spending time with friends and family, the outdoors, exercising, music, reading, writing, and anything pop culture. She resides in Blaine with her husband and her 140 lb. Newfoundland Grizz.
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Susan Gallagher, Special Education – Susan graduated from the College of St. Catherine with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Math/ Science Concentration. Susan later went back to school and earned certification in Special Education at Bethel College. She has taught a number of subjects including math, language arts, careers, as well as a variety of electives including tessellations and origami. She has two children, a pit bull named Baby, and two cats, Rorie and Earl. I enjoy hiking, camping, swimming, reading, watching movies, spending time with my children and getting to know my students.
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Ben Justin, Mathematics — Mr. Justin’s passions are mathematics, sports, music, technology, and learning. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota and then licensure as a math teacher. He met his wife while they were marching together in the University of Minnesota Marching Band and both played in the Men’s Basketball Pep Band. Mr. Justin has been teaching mathematics for three years and enjoy working with students to find novel solutions to interesting problems.
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Jeff Schommer, Social Science – Jeff grew up in the dairyland pastures of southeastern Wisconsin and moved to Minneapolis in 1995 to earn a BA in Urban Studies from the U of M. He worked as a town planning consultant for about 10 years, then made a career change in 2008 after obtaining his teaching licensure in Duluth. He has lived in numerous neighborhoods in South Minneapolis, at the south rim of the Grand Canyon, at the end of the Gunflint Trail, in a barn in northwestern Wisconsin, on the North Shore of Lake Superior and in a Toyota Corolla. He loves travel, hiking and camping, cooking, microbrewing and exploring the cities with his wife and brand new son.
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Joyce Jones, Science – Joyce graduated from Hamline University in 2009 with a B.A. in Biology and Education. She grew up in the Twin Cities with a large and diverse family that celebrates multiple cultures. Joyce is an active volunteer in multiple community service organizations including national and international groups that facilitate disaster relief, education, and empowerment opportunities for youth. She enjoys traveling, theatre, and playing steel drums in a band. One of her greatest joys is being a mom to her daughter.