Abbey Abresch

I am thrilled to be teaching Strawberries again this year at The Berry Patch! I have always enjoyed working with young children; their curiosity, ingenuity and earnestness are why I find teaching so rewarding. I graduated from Northwestern College-St. Paul with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Pre-Primary, and now get to work alongside some of the best professionals in early childhood education.

Sarah Bates

I am thrilled to be a Blueberry teacher this year! Prior to having my own children, I taught elementary school for fifteen years. I attended Saint Mary's University in Winona, MN. I love working with children and being part of all the possibilities that learning brings. The Berry Patch is an amazing community, and I am grateful to be here.

Michele Borne

I have been a part of The Berry Patch team since 2020 and I am so blessed to be a Blueberry teacher. I graduated from Augsburg College with a degree in Elementary Education and have been teaching learners of all ages for more than 25 years. I love working with young children as they have so much enthusiasm for everything! I live in Richfield with my husband, children, and dogs. We love to spend time outside working on our boat, camping, riding our bikes, and enjoying our family and friends.

Michaelanne deGrood

I have been teaching at The Berry Patch since 2004, and absolutely love getting to know the children and families I serve. Outside of teaching Strawberries, I spend my time doing yoga, knitting, walking my dog, and hanging with my family.

Leslie DeMuth

I am thrilled to be a member of the Blueberry team at The Berry Patch. After graduating from Miami of Ohio with a B.A. in Political Science, I worked in sales, management and and training. My three teenagers attended The Berry Patch so in many ways I feel like I've come home. I am eager to get to know the wonderful families and children at The Berry Patch!

Kristin Engman

I am so excited to be at The Berry Patch this year teaching the Raspberries! I love little ones and how excited they are to learn and explore. After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College, I worked for Target Corporation and Lutheran Social Service in Product Development and Web Design. I have volunteered countless hours in our daughters' classrooms, as well as other organizations that serve kids. I also have worked and volunteered with children with autism. My husband Jon and I have two daughters, Heidi and Elsie. We also have a yellow lab puppy named Inga. When not at work, I love to be with my family and friends. I love anything outdoors and also am a Scandinavian folk art painter.

Becky Fischer

I’ve been at the Berry Patch since 2012 and have had the incredible opportunity of teaching all the various age groups: Huckleberries, Blueberries, and Strawberries. Prior to that, I worked at the Edina Family Center in an Early Childhood and Family Education classroom. I attended the U. of M. and studied Speech Communications. I love watching the children here learn, play and grow.

Janet-Ruth Havens

2016-2017 was my first amazing and fun-filled year at The Berry Patch. My past experience includes both school-age and pre-school children in Edina. I am thrilled to now enjoy every day I have at The Berry Patch as a Huckleberry and Raspberry teacher!

Lisa Herndon

Hi I'm Lisa. I joined The Berry Patch team in 2020 and thrilled to be a Strawberry teacher. I have a B.A in Business Management from Bethel College and I have a graduate certification in Child Brain Development from the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential.

My experiences range greatly as a Preschool Special Education Paraprofessional, Kindergarten Assistant and Math/Reading Interventionist. Prior to my professional career I volunteered for many years as the parent liaison for both ABC International Montessori and Benilde-Saint Margaret's High School.

I'm so HAPPY to be here and getting to know all of the families.

Kelly Jackson

I am thrilled to join The Berry Patch and be part of the Blueberry team! I’m looking forward to helping children learn and grow, while getting to know their families. I have a B.S. in Psychology from U.W. - Madison. I live in Edina with my husband, where we raised our three children. In my free time I enjoy reading, being outdoors, and spending time with friends, family and my two dogs.

Carolyn Johnson

I am thrilled to be a part of The Berry Patch staff and community. I graduated from St. Olaf College where I earned a B.A. in Studio Art and a K-12 Art Education license. I taught art to grades K-8 for many years. My husband and I live in Edina. We like to walk, garden, travel, and visit our two sons who live in LA. I have been teaching at The Berry Patch since 2015. I love the caring environment, creativity, and enthusiasm of the children and the teachers here.

Kristina Matsch

I have been teaching at The Berry Patch since 2007. For over twenty years I held various administrative positions in private secondary schools and universities. The change to a preschool classroom has enabled me to aid and contribute in the social and educational development of young children. I have a B.A. in Psychology from Hollins College in Roanoke, VA.

Monica Mero

I have been teaching at The Berry Patch since 2015, with the exception of 2020 when I took the year off to be home with my children. I have taught Huckleberries and Blueberries here. I am married and have 3 children Lucia, 16; Vince, 15; Zoe, 12 and a dog named Stella. When I'm not having fun playing with your kiddos, I love any time I can get with my family because they are all so busy with hockey, dance and being teenagers! I'm excited to be back working at The Berry Patch!

Molly Minnich

I am so excited to join the Berry Patch as a Huckleberry teacher this year! It is going to be so exciting to help the Huckleberries learn new things and have fun in the classroom. I recently graduated from the University of
Wisconsin Eau Claire with a B.S. in Psychology and a Family Studies minor.
In my free time I love to paint, workout/be active, and spend time with my family and friends.

Trish Praus

I'm delighted to be part of The Berry Patch family and excited to be on the Huckleberry Team. I received my M.ED from the University of Minnesota and earned my Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin. I have 21 years of teaching experience with a wide range of students and love children of all ages. My husband and I live in south Minneapolis and have 2 college aged daughters, and a friendly dog. I enjoy biking, reading, travel and spending time with family and friends.

Jody Radtke

My teaching experiences range from preschool through 6th grade. I have taught in the classrooms as well as one- on- one with special needs
children. I love the nurturing and enriching environment at the Berry Patch. Our three boys, who are all in their 20's, were once little 'berries'. I am thrilled now to be a part of the Berry Patch as a teacher.

Sheila Shane

I love the Berry Patch and am so excited to be a Blueberry teacher this year! I started teaching at the Berry Patch in 2017 and have worked in the Huckleberry and Raspberry rooms. With a degree in Elementary Education from St Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, I spent the next 8 years teaching locally and internationally—Minnetonka, Texas, Egypt & Germany. I took a break from teaching to stay home with my children and watched them grow while they attended The Berry Patch! Now my 6 proud alumni can be seen helping out in the classrooms and at Christmas concerts. We all feel blessed to continue to be a part of the Berry Patch community!

Laura Smith

My name is Laura and I will join the strawberry team this year. My husband and I live in the west metro with our two kids, ages 12 and 14, and are big fans of Minnesota’s North Shore and the BWCA. I am a graduate of Bethel University in Saint Paul and started out working as a photojournalist, but most of my career has been spent working with print and web creatives. I have experience working with children in a variety of camp and church settings and deeply enjoy the different ways that children learn - especially through play!

Andrea Sollie

I live in Minneapolis with my husband and three children, ages 13-18. I have a B.A. in Early Childhood Family Education and a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education. I started with The Berry Patch in 2013 and have 20+ years of experience working with young children. I enjoy teaching the Blueberries and am amazed on a daily basis of how capable,
funny, and smart three year old children are. The Berry Patch is the most fun, loving and caring school in which I have ever worked.

Teri Tousignant

I am new to The Berry Patch. I have been a full-time nanny for three wonderful families over the last 21 years. My last family introduced me to Berry Patch. Their oldest child went there and their youngest just finished and is going to full time kindergarten.

From the start I was so impressed with the staff and the nurturing environment I found there, I knew someday I wanted to be a part of it.
Because of my love for children, I want to be part of helping them grow and gain confidence in themselves so they can reach their potential.

I am thrilled to be part of The Berry Patch team and to be teaching Strawberries with Ms. Abbey.

Kalli Anderson

I have worked in preschool and toddler rooms for over 10 years, before taking some time off to be at home with my children and then coming to The Berry Patch in 2018! I love spending time getting to know children and watching them learn new things with such excitement. I have a B.S. in Elementary Education with a Pre-Primary specialty from St. Kate's. Born and raised in Edina, I now live in St. Louis Park with my husband and our three kids.

Madelyn Bock

I have been a Huckleberry teacher since 2020 and absolutely love it! The creative and loving community at The Berry Patch makes my job so much fun. I earned my bachelor degree from the University of Minnesota, while serving in the Army National Guard as supply sergeant for a chinook helicopter unit. My husband, Austin, and I love to cook, as well as all things outdoors- including hiking, fishing and gardening!

Ashley Crowder

I’m beyond excited to be a part of the Berry Patch team! I’ve lived all over the US － Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Texas, North Carolina, but now I love calling Minnesota home. My education was in editorial design but I’ve spent many years working on church staffs both in young adult and student ministries. My husband Petey and I have 2 girls, and we live in SW Minneapolis.

Janelle Ianfolla

I am so excited to be a part of the Berry Patch family as a Huckleberry teacher. I love working with tiny kiddos and have spent the past 3 years as a fitness instructor going into home daycares and centers to teach 1-5 year olds that moving our bodies and nutrition can be fun! I love their enthusiasm to learn at such an early age. I have a Communications Degree and Psychology minor from the UW- Stevens Point. When not teaching, I spend my free time with my husband, teenage daughter and son being active outdoors, attending their many sporting events and going on yearly road trips.

Michelle Klein

I have an Elementary Education degree from Mankato State University. I have been at The Berry Patch since 2006 and I have loved every day. I always say that teaching is my hobby, not my job. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the excitement of young children when interacting and learning with others. My favorite part of being at the Berry Patch is the wonderful families I get to interact with. It is a very special place to be.

Beth Kirkeby

I am so excited to be back at The Berry Patch School as a Blueberry teacher this year. I love being part of the team and will celebrate 15 years! It is so amazing watching the children grow and developing relationships with their family.

I love traveling, relaxing at our cabin, spending time with my husband, our dog Cassidy, our two cats and our four grownup girls.

Alyssa McLeod

I am so happy to have started working at The Berry Patch in 2011. I graduated from St. Mary’s of Notre Dame with a degree in English Literature and received my Master's of Education from the University of St. Thomas. After teaching both first and fifth grades, then taking time off to be home with my three children, I am excited to be back in the classroom teaching Strawberries. It is a joy to be able to help build the important foundations of learning that the children can carry on into kindergarten.

Annie Meyer

I am entering my fifth year of teaching at The Berry Patch School after practicing law in my previous work life. I love teaching preschool. Watching the kids grow and helping them learn to love school the way I did makes me very happy. Loving my Huckleberries is a joy!

Kirsten Mrachek

I am thrilled to be a Berry Patch Huckleberry teacher! After graduating from Stephens College with a BA in Fine Arts, I was in media sales and marketing. My three children all attended the Berry Patch and flourished in the play-based, loving & creative environment. I look forward to
getting to know all the wonderful Berry Patch families. When I am not working I love spending time with my family: husband John & children Jack, Lily and Ingrid. I enjoy golf, barre classes, cooking, baking and going on long walks with our yellow lab Bailey.

Sara Parrington

I’m excited to continue working as a Huckleberry teacher. This is a wonder-filled age! I’m grateful to spend my mornings with these little learners and the incredible staff at the Berry Patch. I have a BA in Studio Art and a minor in Education from the College of St. Benedict. I have worked with children in many capacities and settings throughout my life. My husband and I live in Eden Prairie where we raised our four daughters.

Elle Puett

This will be my fifth year being part of the fantastic staff at The Berry Patch. Before having my own three kiddos, I taught first grade and worked as the Children's Ministry Director at our church. I am a graduate of the University of Kansas, enjoy working with preschoolers and helping them learn and grow!

Marilyn Rosin

I have had the privilege of being part of The Berry Patch since 2004. I love being part of the Huckleberry class and enjoy the community that exists between the families and teachers. It is rewarding to witness the growth within each child during the school year, and experience the love and hugs we receive daily.

Mary Trudell

I have loved teaching pre-K at The Berry Patch since 2010! I graduated from The College of St. Benedict with a degree in Elementary Education and taught grades 3-6 for many years in the Edina Public Schools. I have worked with kindergarten and first grade as well. It makes me happy to see the children having fun, learning lots, and enjoying school each day!

Molly Lounberry Dykstra, Director / Co-Owner

I love being a part of the Berry Patch team and have worked here in some shape or form since my mom (Ms. Berrie) started the the school in our home when I was 12 years old! I have played lots of different roles—Student Accounts Director, Calvary Coordinator, and now Director/Co-Owner. When I am not at The Berry Patch I enjoy time with my family of five (Jeff, daughters Kenzie and Clara, and son Bennett), spread across Minnesota and Texas. I love being outdoors, especially in the mountains in Colorado. When I'm inside I love quiet things- reading, coloring, writing.

Jenny Miller, Assistant Director - Colonial

I have a Master's in Education from the University of Minnesota and taught first grade for several years. I also taught in the Huckleberry classroom at the The Berry Patch for two years and am currently the Assistant Director of our Colonial Church location. I love working in a school setting where I have the opportunity to connect with students and their families, and help support a quality educational experience for young learners.

Cara Terwilliger, Assistant Director - Calvary

Since joining the Berry Patch in 2006, I’ve worn many different aprons(!) and have settled into the Account Director role for the last few years. What JOY it is for me to know and serve our families each day! It’s been such a blessing to be part of this Berry Patch family that nurtures and cares for our community of little learners, while also building their love of learning through our purposeful play-based curriculum. My own children, Charlie and Alice, have very special memories of their BP years and their teachers who forever impacted their lives. I’m grateful to be a part of this very special Berry Patch Family!

Carrie Lounsberry, Assistant Director of Enrollment & Operations/ Co-Owner

I love working at The Berry Patch because it has meant so much to our family. Our four children—Tommy, Kate, Charlie, and Susie—have all been loved well here. I am excited to work in the roles of Finance & Registration Director and Co-Owner, as well. I'm a graduate of Bethel University.

Becky Danielson, Parent & Family Educator

Whether it's working through parenting concerns, offering strategies, or encouraging families, my job is a joy! As a licensed Parent & Family Educator, elementary school teacher, wife, and mom, I use my training (M.A. in Education, B.A. in Elementary: K-1, Early Ed.) and on-the-job experience to assist Berry Patch families. When I'm not meeting with parents, writing or speaking, I love to be with my husband Scott and our two sons—preferably outside.

Zara Guevara, Spanish Instructor

I am originally from Lima, Peru. I have worked as a language teacher and cultural liaison for more than 12 years at both private and public schools throughout the Twin Cities. Having a bilingual family makes me highly appreciative of the benefit of starting a child’s education in languages at a young age. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share the beautiful Spanish language and culture with your children at The Berry Patch!

Kristin Seager, Music Instructor

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy from the University of Minnesota in 1987 and have been pairing preschoolers with music since then, as well as teaching private piano lessons and performing on occasion. It is a blessing to have been with The Berry Patch since 2001 and to find new and fun ways to teach music every year. I find it rewarding to watch the kiddos discover new things, develop musical concepts, and also develop non-musical concepts and behaviors through the use of music, instrument play and movement.