Our Learning Team
Calvary Location
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 Huckleberry 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.
Joannie Boelter
I have worked with children for the last forty-five years and have been with The Berry Patch since 1998. The values and principles that The Berry Patch was founded upon brought me here and are why I continue to call this home. My education is in Early Childhood Development. I consider myself a lifelong learner.
Leslie DeMuth
I am thrilled to be a member of the Huckleberry 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!
Angela Fiol
I am thrilled to be teaching at the Berry Patch! ! I have a major in Elementary Education and a master’s in Curriculum
and Instruction. I taught at Creek Valley for 9 years before my "stay at home mom" job. My two sons attended The
Berry Patch and I learned so much about teaching these younger ones by subbing in almost every classroom before
my permanent position. I'm looking forward to getting to know the families and students at the amazing Berry Patch!
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.
Rhonda Intveld
I have had the privilege of teaching at The Berry Patch from 1997-2001 and then returning in 2011. I have a B.A. in Psychology from the U. of M. with a minor in Child Psychology. I especially love working with the Huckleberries because I get to watch them grow and develop not only the year I have them in class, but also when I see them over the next couple of years in the hallways or in our afternoon program!
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 live in Edina with my husband and two teenage sons. I love the caring environment, creativity and enthusiasm of the children and the teachers here. It is a wonderful place to be!
Monica Albiero Joy
I was born and raised in Italy where I studied graphic design in Milan. I started working at The Berry Patch in 2014 and have been a Strawberry teacher assistant since 2015. I absolutely love children. They make me happy and every day they make me smile. And The Berry Patch is the warmest and most welcoming place!
Mary Lamb
I earned my Master of Fine Arts degree at Cornell University in Ithaca N.Y. My love for children brought me to the Berry Patch in 1997, and fostering a love for learning in these amazing little ones has been a privilege and joy for me ever since.
I especially love the close relationships with the families that are formed with the one-to-ten
ratio of the Pre-K program!
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
After many years of my own three children attending The Berry Patch and substitute teaching here, I am delighted to now be part of the staff. I love teaching the Huckleberries and look forward to seeing the children's sweet faces every morning! It's wonderful watching them learn and grow. I have been an active volunteer at my children's school and am happy to be where I am now.
Kathy Pope
Prior to having and raising children of my own, I taught kindergarten in the Minnetonka School District. Now I am back teaching and loving working at The Berry Patch. The children are awesome, the community is stellar, and using my creativity to help shape these little lives feeds my soul on a daily basis!
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
My 6 children- Claire, Reilly, Maggie, Brigid, Tommy and Norah- are all
Berry Patch graduates! Now I have the joy of being a Huckleberry and
Raspberry teacher! Previously, I was an Elementary teacher in Minnetonka,
El Paso, Texas, as well as in the International Schools in Cairo, Egypt and
Munich, Germany. I love witnessing how much these Berry Patchers grow as
they explore, play and interact with each other.
Andrea Sollie
I live in Minneapolis with my husband and three children, ages 12-17. 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.
Kathy Sommerville
I've been teaching the 3-year-old Blueberries at The Berry Patch since 2006. My degree is in Elementary Education from the University of MN but my experience has been in Early Childhood Education. I love watching the growth in each child from the beginning of the fall to the end of the school year. It is a special time in childhood!
Our Learning Team
Colonial Location
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.
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 as a Raspberry teacher. For eleven years I was a Blueberry teacher and I loved every minute of it!
I love spending time with my husband, our four college girls and our dog Cassidy at our cabin and here in Minneapolis. In addition to time with my family, I love yoga, tennis and biking everywhere!
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 Raspberries and Strawberries. It is a joy to be able to help build the important foundations of learning that the children can carry on into kindergarten.
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 am excited to join The Berry Patch staff this year as a Huckleberry teacher! I was a substitute teacher last year and was lucky to work with all age groups at both locations. I love the energy the children and teachers bring every day and look forward to getting to know more families. I worked at a Montessori preschool for a number of years after graduating from the College of St. Benedict with a MA in Studio Art. I live in Eden Prairie with my husband and we are officially empty nesters as we send our fourth daughter off to college this year!
Elle Puett
This will be my fourth 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!
Dawn Quimby
I have worked with young children for over 25 years and began teaching at The Berry Patch in 1998. I received my B.S. degree from Mankato State University. The hugs, smiles and stories from the children, the kindness and support from parents and families, and the caring and professional staff are what make The Berry Patch a special work place. The privilege of guiding and nurturing young children is the most rewarding job in the world.
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!
Our Learning Team
Staff and Support
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.
Quay Mitchell, Assistant Director - Program Administration
As the Administrative Coordinator at The Berry Patch since 2009, I have had the privilege of working closely with the entire Berry Patch community—incredible families, talented staff members and dedicated leaders. It is a joy to see the children learning and growing while having so much fun each day, and to work alongside so many truly amazing colleagues. After teaching third grade for 12 years then spending several years at home raising our three daughters, The Berry Patch was a wonderful place to combine my love for young families and administrative responsibilities!
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 School Coordinator at the 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 have been a Blueberry and Strawberry teacher, Colonial librarian, Camp Sizzle Berry teacher, P.M. teacher, and am now the Calvary School Coordinator. When I'm not at The Berry Patch, I love cooking, playing tennis, and laughing with my family—including my husband Mike and two children, Charlie and Alice, who are Berry Patch graduates. It's a joy and a blessing to be part of The Berry Patch Family!
Carrie Lounsberry, Director of Student Accounts / 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 Student Accounts 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.