The Board meets the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm at the school
Board of Directors include:
Dave Conrad, Parent/Community Member/Educational Administration/Ex-Officio Member
Dave is currently the Director of our school, serving students (and their families) in grades K – 6 and was an integral part of its start-up and continued success. Prior to New Discoveries, Mr. Conrad served as a public school educator for 10 years for Hutchinson Public School District #423. While at District #423, Dave was principal at West Elementary School, a pre-school, kindergarten and first grade building, and at Park Elementary School, a second through fifth grade building. Prior to his administrative experience in Hutchinson, Dave taught first, second and fourth grades in Orlando, Florida and Cannon Falls and Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. Dave currently holds a Minnesota elementary teaching license, an elementary principal’s license and a superintendent’s license.
Dave is well-versed in all aspects of school operation, from curriculum development and implementation to school policy development and implementation. Human resources, from hiring and staff development, payroll and benefits, are areas of strength for Dave. Dave’s experience with all aspects of budget development and accountability are also an asset as it relates to the pre-operational and ongoing involvement with the school. Having been a part of the planning, development and implementation of a successful charter school start-up will serve Dave well in terms of his role in the creation and development of the New Discoveries Montessori Academy.
Kirsten Kinzler, Parent/Community Member/Educator
Kirsten has over 15 years classroom experience as a specialist teaching music, technology and gifted and talented in both public and private schools in Hutchinson. She has a BA in Music Education from the College of St. Benedict and a Minnesota teaching license. Ms. Kinzler was the Project Director at New Century Charter School in Hutchinson. From April-August 2002 she was responsible for continuing the efforts of the founding group to ensure a successful school start in the Fall of 2002. Kirsten was responsible for all start-up phases of opening a charter school and this was completed in 5 months! Some of the areas include: developing all of the marketing materials, setting up the public Family Information Meetings, creating the advertising for the local papers, recruiting by delivering application materials, meeting with students and families, locating facility possibilities, participating in 10 local parades for PR purposes, shaking hands and sharing charter school information with local business owners, contacting the State of MN to be certain we had the necessary documents completed and training needed to operate, among many other duties. All aspects completed, NCCS achieved full enrollment with a waiting list. Kirsten continues to actively serve on the New Century Charter School Board.
There isn’t a single aspect of the development of New Discoveries Montessori Academy that Kirsten is not familiar with. In terms of the pre-operational phase, Kirsten’s experience is priceless. Kirsten’s long-term involvement with the school could include a variety of roles, from board membership, to instruction to administration.
Derek Niemeyer Parent/Special Education Para-Professional
Derek and his wife, Tari, are the parents of two boys which whom both attend NDMA.What attracted them to NDMA was the lower child to adult ratio as well the Montessori philosophy within the school.
After a working career in the manufacturing field during which he obtained a diploma degree in Machine Tool Technology, he decided to make a career shift and pursued an Associate of Arts degree From Ridgewater College. Upon the completion of this endeavor, he was blessed with the opportunity to work with young people at NDMA and assist in building their lives.. Derek is one of the newest members to the NDMA board, (July 2010). What led him to be on the board was a desire to know more about the school and decisions which ultimately will impact not only the education of his children, but also the education of other children that are fortunate enough to attend NDMA.
Rick Larson, Vice Chair
My wife, Theresa, and I have lived in Hutchinson for over twenty five years. During that time we raised three children who are all products of traditional education. Our youngest son did experience some of the Montessori methodologies in a setting which helped him in several ways. We found the use of manipulative reinforcement for skill sets combined with a self paced format stimulates learning styles.
l am a graduate of Crown College With a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Ethics and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership. I have thirty years experience on Facility management in the electronics industry and am currently the Director of Facility Services at a private Christian college. My experiences include twenty years of working with youth in the AWANA program at two different churches and currently other programs at Hunters Ridge Community Church. I currently serve on the National Education and Development committee for the Association of Facilities Engineers and am a cotrack leader for Process and Reliability at the Society of Maintenance Reliability Professionals National Conference.
My desire to be part of the board at New Discoveries Montessori Academy is to learn ways that facilitate the student objectives, enable changes if needed and add Value to the programs holistic needs. My experience can help with organization, communications and program development as opportunities arise. Every person has a unique learning style which the Montessori approach makes them aware of which allows them to succeed. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders who critically need to be able to make changes in all facets quickly, effectively, and with limited information that is why they need to be priority one.
Aaron Stolp, NDMA Educator
Aaron is currently the E2 classroom teacher at New Discoveries Montessori Academy. Mr. Stolp previously taught in Phoenix, Arizona for five years, teaching history and geography to seventh and eighth graders. Mr. Stolp and his wife are happy to be back in Minnesota, and he is enjoying teaching in a Montessori environment. Aaron has an elementary education degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and is currently working on receiving his Montessori certification in both E1 and E2 from the University of St. Catherine. After Mr. Stolp takes his oral examinations in June, he will have his certification in Montessori curriculum. Aaron will also be working on his Master’s degree from the University of St. Catherine starting in the spring term of this year, and will be continuing his Master’s work through the 2008-2009 school year.
Upon learning more about the Montessori approach and meeting some of the staff and families of New Discoveries Montessori Academy, it was a natural fit for Shari to become a member of the NDMA board as part of her journey as a life-long learner.
Karen Olson, Parent/Community Member/School Volunteer, Chair
Karen and her husband, John, are the parents of two boys who have attended New Discoveries Montessori Academy from its beginning in 2006. The smaller school environment and personalized attention attracted their family to NDMA. The Montessori philosophy of education intrigued them and as they have begun to understand it more through their experience they have resonated with many of the principles. The multi~age grouping in the classroom, the use of hands on learning materials, the delay of the abstract in order to develop understanding, and the opportunity for students to progress at their own pace are assets that have impacted the education of their children.
Karen has bachelor’s degrees in Christian Education and Youth Ministry and has been involved in work with children and youth for over 20 years. She is currently is employed as an education assistant at Hutchinson Middle School.
Karen is an active member of the Hutchinson community. She has served as a volunteer at Oak Heights Covenant Church, West Elementary, Park Elementary, Hutchinson Park & Recreation, Cub Scout Pack 246 and New Discoveries Montessori Academy in a variety of capacities.
Karen joined the NDMA board in April of 2007 and views it as an opportunity to help lead an organization that makes a lasting impact on our children, our community, and in the process…our world.
Cynthia Vold, NDMA Educator, Secretary
Cynthia Vold is currently an educator at New Discoveries Montessori Academy, teaching Kindergarten and Preschool aged students. She holds a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education with a specialty in Early Childhood Education from Bemidji State University. Prior to New Discoveries, Cynthia taught pre-school for Early Head Start children aged birth to three and Head Start children aged three to six for two and a half years. She currently holds a Minnesota Teaching License and a Primary Montessori Credential obtained from St. Catherine University.
With Cynthia’s prior knowledge in Early Childhood Education and her growing passion for the Montessori philosophy, she has proven to be a dedicated and dependable board member and New Discoveries Montessori Academy advocate.
Chuck Herdegen, Ex-Officio Member
Jo Moore, Ex-Officio Member
Greg Robbins, Treasurer
The Board of Directors consists of four (4) teachers, two (2) parents and one (1) community member. This board make-up ensures that the NDMA Board of Directors will have a teacher majority board in compliance with M.S. 124D-10, Subd. 4(c). Ex-officio members will include the school director, administrative assistant and business manager. Teachers, non-teaching staff members, parents, and board members will be allowed to vote in Board elections.