Meet our Elementary School Teachers

Michelle Allmon

Mrs. Allmon joined Minnesota Virtual Academy in 2008. Prior to joining MNVA, she taught 5th grade in Bloomington Public Schools for six years. Mrs. Allmon attended Truman State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in English and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education. She also holds a Certificate in Urban Teaching from Hamline University. Mrs. Allmon loves seeing the lightbulb go on when students make connections in their learning and are encouraged by supportive adults and their peers in a culture of learning.

Jenna Bearden

Mrs. Bearden is a 4th and 5th grade teacher who joined MNVA in 2013. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. She is currently working toward a master’s degree in education through Augustana University. Prior to joining MNVA, Jenna taught preschool, at-risk kindergartners, and 4th grade. Mrs. Bearden feels online learning gives students the opportunity to have more individualized attention and small group instruction to help them be successful.

Jody Beckstrom

Ms. Beckstrom is a 5th grade teacher who joined MNVA in 2024. Since 2009, she taught in a traditional public school setting teaching 4th grade, 5th grade and Middle School Social Studies.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University in 2006 and her Master’s degree in Reading from St. Mary’s University in 2016.  Ms. Beckstrom believes in building positive relationships where all students feel safe and welcomed. She also encourages students to have a growth mindset by believing in themselves and recognizing their potential to do great things. 

Rana Bell

Mrs. Bell is a Reading Specialist who joined MNVA in 2004.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in special education from St. Thomas University.  Before joining Minnesota Virtual Academy, Rana worked as an Early Childhood teacher for Prior Lake-Savage area schools.  Mrs. Bell enjoys attending conferences and taking courses to further her education in reading instruction.  

Darla Bernard

Pam Bishop

Mrs. Bishop started teaching with Minnesota Virtual Academy in the fall of 2007. Before MNVA, she taught middle school mathematics with the New Prague school district for five years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education (K–6) with a specialty in 5–8 mathematics from St. Cloud State University. She also earned a master’s degree in education from Saint Mary’s University. Mrs. Bishop feels that online learning gives students that safe environment at home that allows them to relax and let their minds learn.

Brittney Blake

Travis Bockelmann

Jennifer Carlson

Bobbi Cohen

Ms. Cohen is a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher who joined MNVA in 2020.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State University.  She left the Big Lake School District after teaching first grade for 5 years once her son was born and continued to stay at home to raise her son for 12 years.  She then became a learning coach with MNVA when her son enrolled as a second grader and continued through sixth grade.  Ms. Cohen feels the online platform benefited her son in many positive ways.

Andrea Cyert

Darla Erickson

Ms. Erickson joined the MNVA team in 2010. She has a bachelor’s degree in K–12 band and 5–12 classroom music from Gustavus Adolphus College. She has licenses in K–12 band, 5–12 classroom music, K–12 SLD,  and K-12 EBD. Ms. Erickson likes the personal relationships she is able to build with her students. She feels she knows them better in an online setting then she did in previous teaching experiences

Patty Herman

Mrs. Herman is a 3rd grade teacher who has been educating MNVA students since 2004. She earned her BA in Education from St. Cloud State University, and her MA in Education from the College of St. Scholastica. She holds a minor in middle school mathematics. Mrs. Herman feels online learning gives students a safe learning environment without all the distractions of a noisy classroom. Mrs. Herman also believes that her students benefit from having individualized instruction and one-to-one support.

Jennifer Johnson

Jeanine Kangas

Mrs. Kangas joined Minnesota Virtual Academy in 2020. Prior to joining MNVA, she was a learning coach at MNVA for her daughter for 7 years. Mrs. Kangas attended Bemidji State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.  Mrs. Kangas loves coming up with new ideas to keep the learning fun.  She is excited to be able to teach at a school that focuses on the needs of all students.

Rill Moline

Eeva Nikula

Eeva Nikula has been with MNVA since 2020 and teaches Kindergarten. She grew up in Washington state and graduated with a BA and Post-BA Teaching Certificate from the University of Washington-Bothell. Before moving to Minnesota, Mrs. Nikula taught in the classroom for seven years in Washington. Mrs. Nikula believes in creating a positive, interactive learning environment to help all students learn.

Dana Norby

Mrs. Norby is one of the elementary special education teachers who joined Minnesota Virtual Academy in 2019. She holds a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Special Education from Winona State University and a master’s degree in Differentiated Instruction from Concordia University. Mrs. Norby has over 15 years of experience teaching students with a variety of learning needs in all grade levels, from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Mrs. Norby feels that online learning gives students a unique opportunity to have more individualized attention in a safe, comfortable  environment with less distractions. Mrs. Norby enjoys working closely with students, learning coaches, general education teachers, and other service providers to provide learners with the best learning experience possible.

Todd Randall

Mr. Randall has been with MNVA since 2009 and teaches 4th and 5th grade. He grew up in California, earned a BA in Liberal Studies from Hope International University and an MA in Elementary Education from Claremont Graduate University, and has been teaching since 1992. He taught in the classroom for 16 years in California, mostly in low-income and inner-city schools. Mr. Randall believes there is no “one size fits all” approach to education and that online education is an outstanding option for many students. He feels online learning is a great setting that provides flexibility, a positive learning environment, and the opportunity for parents to be highly involved in their child’s education.

Kati Revak

Mrs. Revak teaches 1^st grade and has a love of reading that she strives to instill in her students. She joined MNVA in 2017 and brings with her years of experience in the brick and mortar classroom. She earned her BA in Elementary/Middle Education from UW-LaCrosse and her MA from St. Mary’s University specializing in curriculum and instruction with emphasis on early literacy. Mrs. Revak enjoys working with both students and Learning coaches to foster an environment and relationship for growth and success.

Paige Schoepel

Beth Sletta 

Christy Speck

Sarah Stradtmann

Mrs. Stradtmann is a reading specialist who joined MNVA in 2024. She previously taught in a traditional public school setting teaching 2nd and 5th grade since 2010.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State University in 2010 and her Master’s degree in Reading from St. Mary’s University in 2015.  Mrs. Stradtmann believes in building positive relationships with students and creating a safe, enjoyable learning environment. 

Tami Tinderholt

Erin Van Beek

Cary Whittington 

Mrs. Whittington is a Reading Specialist who joined MNVA in 2008. She worked previously in a traditional public school setting as well as in the business world. She earned a BA in both Education and English from the State University of NY at Potsdam, and her master’s degree in literacy K–12 from the College of St. Scholastica. Mrs. Whittington’s last role with MNVA was in Kindergarten for many years. She loves working with kids in this setting to help foster growth in their reading skills!

Jessica Winter

Ms. Winter is a 2nd grade teacher with Minnesota Virtual Academy. She graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in elementary education and middle school mathematics and earned her Master’s degree from Augustana University focusing on instructional strategies. Ms. Winter started teaching back in 2005 and has been teaching online since 2009. Ms. Winter enjoys working with students and families from all around the state! Ms. Winter feels online learning can be a positive opportunity for students because it allows more individualized learning, less classroom distractions for some students, safe environment from bullying, and ability to use extra time for enrichment or practice.