Franklin Academy Staff

Courtney Berthiaume, Lower School Classroom Teacher

Courtney Berthiaume is the Gooseberry classroom teacher in our Lower School at Franklin Academy. She earned her undergraduate degree at Minnesota State University Mankato as a Special Education Academic and Behavioral Specialist for students K-12. Courtney is currently in graduate school for her Masters in both Autism and Developmental Cognitive Disabilities.

Senamarie Bradley, Building Substitute

Senamarie is the Building Substitute and assisting with Owl’s Nest at Franklin Center. She comes with over 20 years of teaching experience. Prior to coming to Franklin Center, she worked in Freeport, Grand Bahama (The Bahamas) and South Florida.

 

 

Kelly CramptonKelly Crampton, High School Social Studies Teacher

Kelly is the Social Studies teacher in our High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth in Teaching Social Studies with a minor in coaching. Prior to working at Franklin Academy, Kelly worked at a Charter School teaching High School Social Studies.

Kade Drechsler, Manager of Curriculum and Instruction

Kade is the Manager of Curriculum and Instruction for Franklin Academy. Kade has been at Franklin Academy since 2016 and was selected as the Minnesota Independent Schools Forum (MISF) 2019 (K-8) Teacher of the Year. They received their Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from ACU in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Kade holds a Minnesota Teaching License in Elementary Education and is passionate about STEM Education. They have presented at multiple STEM conferences and also received several STEM Grants from MISF as a member of the STEM grant team.

Andy DreherAndy Dreher, Middle School Teacher

Andy is a Middle School Teacher in our Temperance River Classroom.  He was previously the Building Substitute and Enrichment Program Assistant Manager at Franklin Center. He received his BA in Psychology with a focus on neuropsychology from UW-Milwaukee. Prior to coming to Franklin Center, he worked with younger clients providing early intervention therapy.

Colleen FarleyColleen Farley, High School Math Teacher

Colleen is the Lake Superior case manager and teaches high school math. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Rochester with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science. Prior to working at the Franklin Academy, Colleen worked in day & job programming for adults with disabilities. She is currently working towards attaining her Masters in Special Education at Minnesota State University – Mankato.

John GabrielJohn Gabriel, Middle School Teacher

John graduated from the University of Minnesota – Morris with an Education License focusing on Social Studies. Prior to working at Franklin Academy, he was employed by a private school that focused on students with learning differences.

 

 

Tobias Griffen, Behavior Therapist

 

 

Anita Haas, Lower School Classroom Teacher

Anita has been with the organization since 2013, in various teaching and leadership positions within the Academy. She holds a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies and Theatre, Masters degree in Special Education with teaching licences in birth-adult Autism Spectrum Disorders and K-12 Developmental Cognitive Disorders. Before getting her Master’s degree, she served as a paraprofessional and special education teacher in a K-5 charter school for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Hannah Jacobson, High School ELA Teacher

Hannah serves as our high school English Language Arts teacher. She’s originally from North Dakota and moved to the Twin Cities to attend the University of Minnesota, where she received a B.A. in English and a minor in Creative Writing.

Maggie JensenMaggie Jensen, Primary Classroom Teacher

Maggie Jensen works as the classroom teacher and behavior therapist for lower school students in the Wolf Creek classroom. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from UW-River Falls and began working in the behavior therapy field upon graduation, providing 1:1 services with early intervention clients. Maggie returned to earn her graduate degree from Bethel University and graduated with a Master’s in Special Education and her ASD teaching licensure.

 

Mikki LucciMikki Lucci, Student Support Specialist

Mikki graduated from the University of Minnesota Morris with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and holds a 5-12 social studies teaching license. She completed part of her teacher training program in New Zealand. After joining the Franklin Academy team as the building substitute at the beginning of this year, she has taken on the role of Student Support Specialist and now works with high school students and families to prepare them for what comes after graduation.

SueAnn MacLachlan, Math Teacher

SueAnn MacLachlan is the High School Math teacher at Franklin Academy. She earned her undergraduate degree at St. Cloud State University in Speech Communication and Business. She earned a Master’s degree from St. Cloud State University in Autism, Developmental Cognitive Disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities, and Emotional and Behavior Disorders.

Tina San MiguelTina San Miguel, Spanish and CTE Teacher

Tina serves as our Spanish and CTE teacher at Franklin Academy. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Bilingual/Bi-Cultural Education from Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in Puerto Rico and a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. Tina is an experienced ESL teacher from Puerto Rico and fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Nancy ShelledyNancy Shelledy, Art Specialist

Nancy is an Art Specialist. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Morris with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Arts, with a focus in Painting and Textiles. Prior to working at Franklin Academy, Nancy was a Program Coordinator for adults with disabilities and mental health diagnoses. In that role, she supported individuals in learning independent living skills in the home and community.

Mike SmithMike Smith, Physical Education Teacher

Mike serves as our Physical Education Teacher. Prior to coming to Franklin Academy, he taught Physical Education full-time for 4 years. Mike’s current Minnesota teaching licenses include Physical Education (K-12), Health Education (5-12), and Developmental Adapted Physical Education (PreK-12).

Kim Strandemo, Principal

Kim serves as the principal of Franklin Academy. She graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and then acquired a Masters’ degree in Educational Leadership from Moorhead State University in 2013.

Over the past 20 years, Kim has been a world traveler, living and working in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou (China), and Doha, Qatar.  She has taught at the International School of Beijing, Hong Kong International School, and the American School of Doha.  During her second stint in Doha from 2013-2015, she served as elementary principal at the Middle East International School where she helped the school become accredited in less than two years.  She also has teaching and administrative experience in Minnesota and Virginia.

Behavior Department

Austin CroteauAustin Croteau, Behavior Therapist

Austin is a Behavior Therapist in middle school classrooms. He graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a B.S. in Psychology. Austin’s previous work experience has been within the ABA field, working with kids ages 3 – 18 in a 1:1 clinic setting.

 

 

Grace FitchGrace Fitch, Intervention Specialist

Grace supports Behavior Therapists (BTs) in the classroom with developing and monitoring progress with social and emotional learning objectives, completing assessments, developing behavior intervention plans, and coordinating with teachers. Grace also assists BTs with monitoring effectiveness of behavior plans, data collection, and teaching strategies. Grace graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences and has worked in the behavior field with children with Autism and other neurodiversities for over 5 years. She has been a Behavior Therapist, Lead Therapist, and ABA treatment supervisor. Grace has experience providing 1:1 individual skills training, facilitating family skills training, and supporting group skills.

Austin Gumbiner, Behavior Therapist

Austin is a Behavior Therapist in the middle school classrooms. He graduated with an A.A. from Normandale Community College, with a focus in Music and Performing Arts. Prior to Franklin, Austin spent nearly five years as a lead preschool teacher, working with children ages 3-5. 

 

 

Alyssa KohorstAlyssa Kohorst, Behavior Therapist

Alyssa is a Behavior Therapist in the Gooseberry Falls, Lower School Classroom. She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a BA in Exercise Physiology. Prior to working at the Franklin Academy, Alyssa worked in a setting for school with at-risk children.

 

Ellie LeonardEllie Leonard, Behavior Therapist

Ellie is a Behavior Therapist in our High School classrooms. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Psychology. Previous to Franklin Academy, Ellie worked as a Mental Health Practitioner, guiding adults with mental health disabilities to live independently.

Amy LincolnAmy Lincoln, Clinical and Safety Trainer

Amy received her Bachelor’s degree from The University of Minnesota and her Master’s degree in Public Health from London Metropolitan University in London, England. Amy has been working in the autism field since 2012 and has experience working as a behavior therapist, a lead behavior therapist and a treatment supervisor. Prior to that, Amy worked in Shanghai, China as a classroom teacher. She has provided 1:1 skills training, family skills training and behavior management in homes, schools and in a clinic setting with children from 2-18 years old.

Kate SandsKate Sands, Behavior Therapist

Kate is a Behavior Therapist in our High School classrooms. Kate is currently working on her Master’s of Special Education, with a focus on ASD. Kate has worked with diverse learners in a variety of spaces; from volunteering with Special Olympics to teaching at City Elementary.