Gentry Academy's Staff
Administration
Jennifer Kurth, M.Ed
Education Director
Jennifer has her master's degree in education administration from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and boasts a K-12 administrative license, as well as a special education director license. Jennifer has been an educator for 14 years and has been designated as highly qualified to teach K-12 reading and math in the state of Minnesota. She worked for the Anoka Hennepin School District, Mounds View School District and the Minneapolis Public Schools. Jennifer creates a safe and positive learning environment for her students and implements quality teaching methods that help her students excel.
Heidi Larson
Licensed School Counselor / Admissions Director
Heidi boasts an impressive background with over a decade of experience as a licensed school counselor. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Concordia University - St. Paul and her Master of Science in education from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls.
Passionate about working with high school students, Heidi has extensive knowledge assisting students in exploring educational and post-secondary opportunities. She has developed solid NCAA programs and curriculum to prepare students and athletes educationally and mentally for their post-secondary options. Heidi was also recognized as a Leadership in Educational Excellence recipient in 2016. She has served as a student council advisor and senior class advisor, and has assisted students with developing leadership skills and being actively involved in their community through her role as an advisor.
When she is not working with students, giving back to the community is important to Heidi. She also enjoys working as a volunteer with her own children's athletic teams.
Megan Stone, M.Ed
Leadership Director
Megan is the founder and president of Stone Foundations of Learning, Inc. and has been working with students and faculty members across the country for over 17 years. With a bachelor's degree in human biology and a master's degree in life science education from the University of Minnesota as well as hands-on classroom experience, Megan is highly qualified in the field of education. Early in her career, she taught science in the highly ranked Edina Public Schools before launching Stone Foundations of Learning, Inc. Megan walks alongside students and provides the tools they need to achieve success inside and outside the classroom.
Morgan Underwood
Athletic Director
Academics / Athletics
Alex Ziegler
Physical Education
Paige Jahnke
Girls Hockey
Director of Girls Hockey Paige Jahnke joined Gentry Academy in December 2018. Born and raised in Maplewood, Minnesota, Paige began her hockey career playing for Roseville High School. From 2008 to 2011, the teams Paige played on compiled a 76-11 record, winning the 2009 Minnesota State Championship along the way. Additionally, Paige played for the Minnesota Junior Whitecaps during the summer club seasons of 2010 and 2011, and played fall hockey for the Upper Midwest Fall Elite League, where she guided her team to the 2010 league championship and was a finalist for USA Hockey Advanced 15, 16, and 17.
Paige was a four-year letter winner at Penn State and an inaugural member of the Nittany Lions team that transitioned to a Division I program. During her four years playing for the Nittany Lions, Paige was honored with multiple academic awards that included College Hockey America All-Academic Conference, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten Honors.
Along with her playing career, Paige has an impressive coaching resume. Before joining Gentry, she spent five years as the Mounds View High School Girls Head Coach, and also served as an assistant coach for numerous camps, including the 2017 CCM High Performance U14 Development Camp, Penn State Girls Hockey Camp, and OS Girls Hockey Camp.
Andrea Kirkman
English
Andrew Lecker
Lacrosse
Andrew is the founder and director of the STX Minnesota Shootout Lacrosse Tournament and founder of the Lacrosse Monkey Club. Andrew began coaching girls' lacrosse in 2006 as the inaugural varsity head coach for Cretin-Derham Hall (CDH) high school in St. Paul, MN. Prior to working at CDH, he taught physical education in Dallas, TX to elementary and middle school students. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from the University of North Dakota and a master's degree in sports administration from the University of St. Thomas. Andrew works alongside the athletes to teach them teamwork, respect for others, and the importance of using their talents every day.
Audry Hinds
English
Brian Nelson
Social Studies
David Donohoe
Math
David graduated from the University of St. Thomas where he majored in Mathematics and Secondary Education. He has taught math for the past five years at Inver Grove Heights and Mahtomedi Middle Schools. David has a passion for showing students how to apply what they are learning within his classroom to the outside world. In addition to teaching, David has coached high school basketball for more than six years. He also enjoys golfing, traveling and spending time with his friends and family. David creates a positive classroom environment where all students can achieve their highest potential.
Deb Ropers
Science Teacher
Ellie Neumann
Language Arts and Dance
Ellie has her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and English as a second language (ESL) from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She has two years of experience working with kindergarten through fifth grade students. She previously taught in the South Washington County School District. Ellie has a passion not only for education, but for sports as well. She grew up participating in many sports, including hockey, and continued to play into her first year of college. She has been teaching dance for four years, working with groups of children in K-12 grade. Ellie works to build a safe and fun learning environment for her students so that they can succeed in many ways!
Emily Transburg
Social Studies
Eric Hartzell
Physical Education
Eric Puncochar
Math Teacher
Ingri Bertsch
Spanish
Jackie McClees
Math Specialist
Jackie has over 40 years of experience in math education and math curriculum development with the Minneapolis School System. She also directed a math project, Equals Minnesota, at the University of Minnesota. She has a math education degree from the University of Minnesota and has a current Minnesota teaching license. Jackie has consulted with and given math services to a variety of school districts in the Midwest.
Jennifer Parenteau
Support Teacher
Kyle Follmer
Physical Education /
Boys Hockey
Lynette Rasmussen
Middle School Math
& Language Arts
Nancy Anderson
Office Manager
Serrenah Johnson
Middle School Teacher
Tiffany Saltness
Reading & Math
Specialist/Gymnastics
