Meet Our Team

Ms. Dayton focuses on pension policy for the State of Minnesota and lives and works in the Twin Cities. She attended Avalon School, a chartered school in Saint Paul, and continued the path of personalized learning by completing an individualized Bachelor's degree in Environmental Communication and Public Policy through Metropolitan State University.

Rhonda Dean has been an educational leader for over 30 years. As a retired superintendent, Rhonda has extensive experiences as an educational leader in urban, rural and suburban school districts. She continues to serve on various community and civic organizations dedicated to supporting the needs of K-12 students.

Haben Ghebregergish is the Lead Math Facilitator at the High School for Recording Arts. Haben is an alum of the University of Chicago and a current student at the Hamline University Graduate School of Education. Haben has the pleasure of facilitating social justice mathematics courses at HSRA. She also coaches for Bridgemakers, a nonprofit, youth-led organization that works on issues such as education reform and economic justice for marginalized Minnesotans ages 14-25. One of Bridgemakers’ most recent victories was passing a law that made high school students in Minnesota eligible for unemployment benefits.

Steve Kelley is a Senior Fellow at he Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He teaches classes related to science and technology policy, public budgeting and education law and policy. Before joining the Humphrey School, he served in the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives where among other roles he served as chair of the Senate Education Committee. Steve also practiced commercial litigation in Minneapolis for many years and has served on the boards of several civic organizations

Robin Manthie is Managing Director of Kitchen Coalition and Enterprise Impact at Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank. She spent most of her career in corporate marketing and strategy. She serves as Site Council Secretary and a PTA member at her children’s Minneapolis Public School.

Dr. Pekel is the Executive Director of Educational Leadership at the University of Minnesota. She leads the Minnesota Principals Academy, co-coordinates the Executive Ph.D. cohort for educational leaders within the department of Organizational Leadership, and co-directs the U of M’s Urban Leadership Academy.

John currently serves as the BrightWorks Education Service Cooperative Executive Director. John Schultz has served as Superintendent in both Hopkins and Edina Public Schools. He spent the first 13 years of his career teaching junior high science and had opportunities to teach students with special needs and adjudicated youth. In 1999, John entered school leadership, and has served as a Science Curriculum Coordinator, associate principal, and Director of Teaching and Learning. John is passionate about providing children a dynamic and engaging school experience. As Superintendent, he is committed to engaging communities in education and developing a culture of innovation for all students and staff. John works closely with leadership teams to build efficiencies so resources can be maximized for student learning. John holds a bachelor’s degree in Religion and Biology from Augsburg College (Minneapolis, Minnesota), a Masters in Soil, Water, and Climate Science from the University of Minnesota (St. Paul), and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis).

Tash Van Lieshout is an attorney with the law firm of Fredrikson & Byron who helps companies with strategic planning that often involves acquisitions, mergers, and financial transactions. She also supports companies with their general corporate needs and governance related matters.

Bennice Young is the former principal of Elizabeth Hall International Elementary School in the Minneapolis Public School District. She is a skilled instructional coach supporting the Catalyst Approach, which supports teachers with classroom management techniques centered around equitable practices that create spaces where students can be surrounded by adults who understand, nurture, inspire, and support them.

Harry Adler has over 30 years of experience in education, financial and program management. His efforts as the Executive Director of a Minnesota Charter School led to significant growth in fund balance, enrollment, retention and the successful delivery of the school’s mission. He served in leadership roles at several Minnesota Private Schools and an education related non-profit. He taught math, science, and experiential electives for eleven years. Prior to earning his education licensure at University of St. Thomas, Harry held financial management and systems engineering roles at FMC. He holds undergraduate and advanced degrees from the University of Virginia.

Luli has more than 16 years of experience in education and leadership. He has worked with a number of High Quality Charter schools as the IT Manager, Consultant, and School Director. He spent his last five years as the Executive Director of Star of the North Academy charter school where he started the school successfully. Under his leadership at Star of the North Academy, the school received the “Reward School” from MDE after completing the very first year and also received the “High Quality Charter School” award from MDE in the 3rd and 4th year. He has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in St. Paul and a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from St. Mary’s University of MN in Minneapolis. He is the Owner / President of Leading Educational Services, LLC. He contracts with charter school authorizers and charter schools providing educational services. He has extensive knowledge and expertise with Integrating Technology in Education, School Start-Up, Operations, CSP Grant, Facility, Budget, Finance, Audit, Governance, School Assessments and Data Analysis, and Compliance.

Charmagne E. Campbell-Patton is an independent evaluator with over fifteen years of experience evaluation and assessment across a range of fields, including K-12 education and youth-focused programming. Formerly, she served as the National Program Manager at World Savvy, a global education non-profit. She holds an MA from American University and a BA from Grinnell College.

Emily Edstrom Moore has worked with another authorizer, Pillsbury United Communities, for over five years. Her time there has included managing evaluation processes, acting as a school liaison, executing governance reviews, advancing policy and advocacy work, and monitoring compliance. Prior to entering the world of authorizing, Emily worked at a charter school, various non-profits, a law firm, the Minnesota House of Representatives, and many youth programs. She has a Master of Public Policy in Education Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a BA in History from Beloit College.

Currently the Academic Director at DaVinci Academy, Amy Erendu has had experience in four charter schools and with four different authorizers. Over the past 20 years, she has held various positions in education including teacher of grades 3-6, Elementary Director, Principal of Teaching and Learning, Executive Director, and adjunct student teaching supervisor. She is licensed as a K-8 teacher and K-12 principal.

James has been working at Stenmark Financial Services in Bloomington for over 5 years. Stenmark is a finance and payroll company helping charter schools with all of their accounting needs. He also owns a Farmers Insurance agency in Chaska and Belle Plaine which provides insurance needs for personal and business clients.

Traci Hess has over 20 years of experience working in education. She holds a 7-12 English license, a K-12 reading licence, and a K-12 administrative licence. Traci is grateful to have started her career as a preschool teacher and the practical understanding of how a child's formal education journey begins. While she has spent most of teaching years at the middle school level, she has worked with every level of learners. Traci has a passion for literacy and a commitment to both the art and science of teaching. She currently works in the metro area as an instructional coach.

Julie Hill has over 20 years of teaching experience in elementary education, from district schools to charter schools and from traditional settings to progressive and democratic school models. She has also supervised teacher candidates with the University of Minnesota since 2011. Julie’s focus and expertise is in critical pedagogy and critical literacy, narrative and authentic assessment, developmental movement, and building liberatory educational spaces grounded in the lived experiences of students, teachers, and the broader school community. Julie has an MA in Social Justice Education from Goddard College and an MS in Literacy from Fordham University.

Bonnie Jorgenson was one of the founding staff members of Duluth Edison Charter School (DECS) in 1997. In August 2000 she became the Head of Schools for DECS -- a role she served in until her retirement in August 2021. During her tenure the school doubled in size, was one of the first 12 Q Comp schools in MN, and formed a building company that built a new building for the schools. Bonnie provided leadership for ADSIS, PBIS and restorative justice initiatives at the school. She has served several terms on the MN Association of Charter Schools (MACS) Board. Prior to her work at the school Bonnie worked in public relations and religious education.

After 22 years in the corporate field, Paul returned to the classroom to obtain his MA in Education. Upon his completion he spent 11 years working as a SPED teacher with at-risk youth and then the next 7 years as a director of two charter schools in the Metro area. Paul presently does consulant work for non-profits focusing on financial management and expansion.

Bruce is currently the Director of Business Services for Marshall Public Schools. Bruce oversees the budget, finance, HR/payroll and general operations of the school district. He is the current chair of the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative School Group Insurance Pool Advisory Committee. He has been an active member of MASBO (Minnesota Association of School Business Officials), serving on the board from 2009-2015 and as the MASBO president during the 2013-2014 school year.

Lora Lepisto Brown is starting her 44th year in education. She has taught at all elementary levels in various schools in the Midwest. She taught kindergarten – second grade and later served as an instructional-literacy coach and RtI Coordinator at Milaca Elementary. She earned her MA in Education in 1998 and her doctorate in 2008. She has also served as a School Improvement Specialist and Grant Writer through MDE grants. Her most recent ‘SIG’ school was New Discoveries Montessori Academy in Hutchinson, Mn. For the past 7 years Lora served as a ‘Master Coach’ for Minnesota Reading Corps, ensuring accountability and fidelity in the interventions implemented for students’ reading success. Lora and her husband Jerry live just east of Foley. They have recently converted 18 acres into natural Minnesota wild flower & grass! The wildlife is outstanding! Jerry and Lora enjoy 7 grandchildren and 5 adult children. Life is good on the ‘ranch’!

Michael has over 42 years of experience in Education. He has been a Teacher, Athletic Director, Dean of Students, and Principal. He has served on numerous accreditation teams, and has done independent school consulting. He is currently the Director of Education Clinical Practice, and Associate Professor of Education at Bethel University in St. Paul.

Sawsan Natsheh is a highly motivated and dedicated educator experienced in preparing and implementing school start up and improvement plans. Over 10 years of experience in the academic landscape, with expertise in school operations, and providing leadership in staff recruitment, finance, advancement and community partnership. Previously, she was a co-founder and head of international school for 6 years. She values the mission of charter schools in general, which is focusing on the individual needs of the students and preparing them for future success. Presently, Sawsan is the Executive Director for MACSA (Minnesota Association of Charter Schools Authorizers ) and serves as a board member at Global Academy.

Susie is a veteran educator with over 20 years of teaching experience, special education monitoring and compliance, teacher training, staff evaluation, and curriculum design/development. Susie values student-centered learning and relationship building and is committed to both academic and social/emotional success for all students, especially those from underrepresented and marginalized groups.Susie is licensed in the following areas: 5-12 Social Studies, K-12 EBD and DCD in Special Education, Adult Basic Education, and administrative licensure as a Principal. She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and a BA in Sociology / Anthropology.

Kristi has worked as a Spanish teacher for ten years. She has taught grades K-6 and 9-12, developed language curriculum and was trained in the International Baccalaureate Primary Year Program. Kristi facilitated international academic opportunities for high school students in Guatemala, El Salvador, Chile and Spain. In addition to teaching, Kristi is a licensed Social Worker. She has experience within the field of domestic violence, as a Bilingual Home-School Liaison and as a School Social Worker. Kristi holds a Bachelor's Degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish. As a graduate student, she earned a Masters in Social Work and Public Policy at the University of Minnesota and her teaching license through the University of St. Thomas.

Jolene Pearson has 40 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. Jolene began her career as an ECFE teacher during the pilot phase of the program in Minnesota in 1976. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica serving as an early childhood teacher trainer, a lead teacher in Mount Holyoke College’s child development center, spent twenty -seven years in early childhood education in Minneapolis Public schools including serving as an Interagency Facilitator in early childhood special education. For the past ten years she has served as an associate professor of early childhood education at Bethel University. She excitedly joins the IQS team to support the early childhood programs and their staff.

Rochel graduated from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management with a degree in Business Administration, earned her CPA and became licensed through a local accounting firm. She has 29 years’ experience in school finance in traditional and charter school settings with 15 years as a Business Manager and is currently a financial consultant. Rochel has been an active member of MASBO for 29 years and has served on the MN Trust Board of Trustees. Rochel's passion has always been with small companies and school districts where variety is the fare of the day.

Tracy Quarnstrom has served as the director of Wolf Creek Online High school since 2003. Wolf Creek is Minnesota’s only hybrid online high school which offers students an online experience while still offering the advantages of face to face interactions several days per week. Quarnstrom has been very involved in the creation of online learning legislation in the state of Minnesota as well as in organizations that promote quality online choices for students and families. She currently serves as secretary for the MNOLA K12 Online Learning Alliance and works as an adjunct professor for administrative leadership courses at Hamline University.

Larry Ronglien is a retired high school principal, teacher and coach. Larry has been getting up to go to school for 59 straight years! Larry's undergrad and Masters is from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. He completed his Ed Specialist from Minnesota State Mankato in 2009. Larry's experience includes 13 years as a special education teacher for Northeast Metro Intermediate School District, 7 years as the coordinator of the St. Louis Park Area Learning Center, 2 years as the Academic Services Coordinator at Hazel Park Middle School in St. Paul. His administrative experience includes one year as an administrative dean at Hazel Park, then 3 years as principal in the Onamia School District and 3.5 years with Minnesota Transitions Charter School. Since "retiring" in December, 2016, he's worked as a school consultant for Success Academy Charter School in Bloomington and St. Cloud from 2017 - 2022. Larry joined IQS in 2018 and serves as one of the new school mentors.

Walt brings both education and business experience to the IQS cadre team. He has over twenty years of experience as a teacher, administrator and consultant and twenty-five years of experience in the private sector in training, instructional design, marketing, and management. His education experience includes both traditional public and charter public schools including serving as executive director at two charter schools in Minnesota. He has an MBA from St. Thomas University, St. Paul and Superintendent License from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Kayla Tessmer has over 15 years of experience as an educator. She has a passion for alternative education and helping teachers/schools best serve their unique students. Kayla earned her masters in Curriculum & Instruction, with a reading emphasis, from Concordia University. She holds a 5-12 Communication Arts & Literature License. Her expertise includes: innovative curriculum, equitable education, project based learning, school data evaluation, and mission-centered education.

Ansell is a secondary school science teacher and school board member at City Academy High School, where he has over a decade of experience teaching and developing curriculum. Ansell is passionate about student-lead inquiry and meeting students at their various readiness levels. In addition to teaching and school governance, Ansell participates in yearly action research through the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota. Conducting this research directly impacts school policy and teaching practices. Ansell is licensed in 9-12 Life Science. He holds a Master of Education in Science Education, Master of Education in Learning Technologies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Art.

Co-Founder of the Avalon School; Current Advisor/Program Coordinator at Avalon; Project Based Learning; EdVisions Cooperative; Developed Curriculum and Training Modules to support start-up schools; Expertise: (1) Project Based Learning (2) Teacher Led Schools, (3) School Design

Krissy is the director at Jennings Community School and serves on the boards of Education Evolving, Edvisions Cooperative, and Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs. She is also a MN Network Co-Leader for Teacher Powered Schools.

Jim Zacchini is an educator and consultant who has worked throughout the United States and the Pacific Rim.Most recently Jim served as the Manager of Special Projects for World Savvy, and as the Project Manager for theGlobal Competence Certificate Program, a graduate-level program in global competence education, developed in partnership with Teachers College and the Asia Society. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Program Director at the Minnesota Humanities Center focusing on cultural programming throughout the state’s diverse communities.Jim also serves as Treasurer on the Board of City Stay, which works to break down cultural and economic barriers through experiential education, and is the 2017 Minnesota Council of Nonprofits recipient of the Anti-Racism Initiative Award. Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and American Studies from ProvidenceCollege, a Masters in History and American Foreign Policy in Asia from Marquette University, and an EdD inOrganizational Development and Leadership from the University of St. Thomas (Minneapolis). Expertise areas include: project based learning, experiential learning, design thinking, evaluation, mission/strategic development, appreciative inquiry and strengths based change, and mindfulness leadership.