A Catholic School of Academic Excellence

Mrs. Tina Buss is in her fourteenth year teaching at Cedarcrest Academy. She currently serves as the Pre-K Three/Four teacher at the Kinder Campus.  Prior to teaching at Cedarcrest Academy Mrs. Buss taught kindergarten at Saint Bartholomew’s Catholic School in Wayzata. Mrs. Buss also taught a kindergarten readiness class at Saint David’s Early Childhood Center in Minnetonka. Mrs. Buss has a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and received her Elementary certificate from the College of Saint Catherine’s in Saint Paul.

Mrs. Jennie Carlson is in her 8^th year working at Cedarcrest Academy as Pre-K aid. She and her husband Doug have been married for 25 years and have been a part of the Cedarcrest family for 10 years. They have enjoyed taking advantage of many CAPA opportunities. Jennie and Doug have two daughters who are alumni.  Alicia graduated in 2005 and Sophie in 2010. The Carlson’s belong to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Brooklyn Park.

Miss Madalyn Backstrom is currently a teacher's aid for the Pre-K 4 students. She is a 2006 graduate of Cedarcrest Academy and a 2010 high school graduate of Immaculate Conception Academy in Rhode Island. As well as helping out at Cedarcrest this year, she is enrolled at the University of St. Thomas to receive her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Catholic Studies.

Mrs. Cathy Lahr, B.A.
Kindergarten Teacher
c.lahr@cedarcrest.org

Mrs. Cathy Lahr is in her twelfth year of teaching kindergarten at Cedarcrest Academy.  She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State University, along with a kindergarten licensure. Mrs. Lahr has a great love for the little ones and a strong commitment to teaching the Catholic faith and incorporating virtues in daily life. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Lahr has taught religious education classes for many years. Mrs. Cathy Lahr and her husband Joe have been married for 27 years and they have three children. 

Mrs. Karen Michal, B.A., M.Ed.
1st Grade Teacher
k.michal@cedarcrest.org

Mrs. Karen Michal is starting her 7th year with Cedarcrest Academy and her fourth year teaching first grade.  Mrs. Michal has also taught Pre-K and technology.  Prior to joining Cedarcrest, she substitute taught in Minneapolis/St. Paul archdiocese schools.  Mrs. Michal also taught Preschool Sunday school for six years.  She earned her undergraduate degree in Home Economics with a major in Dietetics from North Dakota State University.  After several years serving as a Nutrition Department Director, she returned to school for elementary education.  Mrs. Michal earned her master's degree in elementary education from the College of St. Catherine.

Mrs. Lisa Noetzel, B.A.
2nd Grade Teacher
l.noetzel@cedarcrest.org

Mrs. Lisa Noetzel is in her sixth year of teaching elementary education, and it will be her fourth year of teaching second grade at Cedarcrest Adacemy. Before teaching at Cedarcrest Academy, Mrs. Noetzel taught two years of fifth grade in the Spring Lake Park school district. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in Social Science. Mrs. Noetzel was married at The Church of Saint Timothy in 2007 and resides in Blaine with her husband John.

Mrs. Rebecca Wahl, B.A., M.Ed.
3rd Grade Teacher
b.wahl@cedarcrest.org

Mrs. Rebecca Wahl is in her eleventh year teaching third grade at Cedarcrest Academy. Mrs. Wahl received her Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2000 and has a Masters degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She is also licensed in Special Education (Learning Disabilities). She currently lives in New Brighton with her husband, Jason, and their daughter Veronica.

Mr. Glen Blomgren, B.A., M.Ed.
4th Grade Teacher
g.blomgren@cedarcrest.org

Mr. Glen Blomgren is in his 10th year as the 4th grade teacher at Cedarcrest Academy. Before becoming the 4th grade teacher he taught gym at Cedarcrest and also substitued in St. Paul and Fridley. Mr. Blomgren received his undergratuate and master's degree from the University of Minnesota.

Miss Kathy Webb is teaching fifth grade this year at Cedarcrest Academy.  Prior to joining the staff at Cedarcrest, Miss Webb served as a missionary with NET Ministries in West St. Paul.  After her missionary year with NET she continued on to serve as team supervisor for two years.  She offers a well rounded perspective and an enthusiasm for teaching about the Catholic Church because of this experience.  Miss Webb recently moved to St. Paul, Minnesota from Lexington, Kentucky and has previous experience teaching second grade at a Catholic school in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as fourth grade in Richardsville, Kentucky.  She graduated from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky with an undergraduate degree in elementary education.  Miss Webb is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be teaching at Cedarcrest Academy and hopes to encourage her students to pursue truth and achieve their greatest potential this year.      

Mrs. Katie Danielson, B.A.
6th Grade Homeroom,
History & Technology Specialist
k.danielson@cedarcrest.org

Mrs. Katie Danielson will begin her third year teaching at Cedarcrest Academy. She began as the fifth grade homeroom teacher and subsequently moved on to teach the fifth through eighth grades. She teaches primarily history courses, including Ancient Civilization, American History, and World Geography. She also teaches the eighth grade section of Algebra I. Mrs. Danielson received her undergraduate degree in Catholic Studies and International Relations from the University of St. Thomas. Being a student of history and having studied in Europe and Africa, she is able to offer a well-rounded perspective for students. Mrs. Danielson also has extensive experience working with kids in this age range. For five years she led middle school aged children on lengthy canoe trips in northern Minnesota and Canada. Through these experiences she has learned how to assess a student’s potential, help them become part of the team, and encourage them toward excellence.

Mr. Scott Kielty, B.A., M.Ed.
7th Grade Homeroom,
Science Specialist
s.kielty@cedarcrest.org

Mr. Scott Kielty is in his fourth year of teaching at Cedarcrest Academy. He currently serves as the Middle School Science Specialist as well as teaching seventh grade pre-algebra and primary grade's gym classes. Prior to joining Cedarcrest Academy, he taught life and physical science at Maple grove Junior High in Maple grove, MN and earth and physical science Brooklyn Junior High in Brooklyn Park, MN  for one year. He has assisted with extra-curricular activities such as student council and coaching football and diving. His undergraduate degree in biological sciences is from North Dakota State University, his teaching certificate is from St. Cloud State University and his Master's degree in Education is from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. He is a proud parent of five children, three of which are Cedarcrest students who have attending the school for seven years.

Miss Victoria Franzese, B.A.
8th Grade Homeroom, 
Language Arts Specialist
v.franzese@cedarcrest.org

Miss Victoria Franzese is beginning her fifth year as the fifth – eighth grade Language Arts Specialist at Cedarcrest Academy.  Prior to joining the staff at Cedarcrest, Miss Franzese taught Middle School Language Arts for five years at a private Catholic school in Naples, Florida. While she often misses the Florida sunshine, she loves Minnesota and is extremely happy to be a part of the Cedarcrest family. Miss Franzese graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida with an undergraduate degree in elementary education with a concentration in exceptional student education. 

Mr. Justin Shay is the religion, math and Latin teacher here at Cedarcrest Academy.  He graduated magna cum laude from St. John Vianney College Seminary at the University of St. Thomas with a BA in philosophy and Catholic Studies.  Justin spent four summers working with junior and senior high age youth as a youth ministry intern at St. Joseph the Worker parish.  He is also currently working on a MA in Catholic Studies.   

Mrs. Elena Gandia, B.A., M.Ed.
Spanish Teacher
e.gandia@cedarcrest.org

This is Sra. Elena M. Gandía's fifth year teaching Spanish, Pre-K through 8th grade, at Cedarcrest. Senora Gandia was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and graduated from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD. She has also lived in Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil. She has been in Plymouth, MN since 1998 and teaching Spanish since 2005. This is also her 7th year teaching at Que Tal Spanish Language program, servicing Wayzata elementary schools. Senora Gandia loves having the opportunity to share her Hispanic culture and is very excited to be part of the Cedarcrest family.

Miss Mary Larson, B.A.
Music Teacher
m.larson@cedarcrest.org

Ms. Mary Larson is in her fifth year of teaching and her fourth year at Cedarcrest Academy. She currently serves as the music specialist, middle school choral conductor and drama coach. Prior to joining the faculty at Cedarcrest Academy Ms. Larson was the music specialist at St. Michael's Academy in St. Paul. She first began and was inspired in her music education career in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela. There, at the Mission Parish of Jesuchristo Rescucitado she helped to found an afternoon music school for the children of the Parish. Ms. Larson obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of St. Thomas in 2007. After graduation she conducted an independent study in the Kodaly Method of Elementary Music Education. Her emphasis in Vocal Performance has led her to perform Nationally, Internationally and more recently for the Cathedral of St. Paul as a section leader and soloist. Ms. Larson also instructs private voice and piano for beginning and intermediate students.

Ms. Amie Kieffer, B.A.
Art Teacher
Marketing & Communications
a.kieffer@cedarcrest.org

Miss Amie Kieffer teaches art at Cedarcrest Academy. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas cum laude with a double major in studio arts and art history and minor in philosophy. As an artist who recently started her own business, Miss Kieffer works with a variety of media, focusing on drawing and painting. She has over ten years experience engaging youth in educational, spiritual, athletic, social, and artistic endeavors through tutoring, coaching and instruction. She enjoys working with students of all ages and teaches private as well as group art lessons. Miss Kieffer is also currently working in marketing and communications for Cedarcrest Academy.