OUR STAFF
Saul Alvino
Paraprofessional
saul.alvino@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies?
What are you most passionate about?
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
What do you love about working at AHA?
Ryan Bauer
Social Studies Teacher
ryan.bauer@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? Long boarding/snowboarding and going to hockey games
What are you most passionate about? Other than education, St. Cloud State hockey and spending time with friends and family
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red, favorite color (SCSU ;)
What do you love about working at AHA? Working in a smaller school has been nothing but amazing. Being able to connect with all staff and students is something very special. Its truly a well connected community who cares for and respects each other. With smaller class sizes, I am able to connect with students on a higher level both academically and emotionally.
Aaron Buergi
Social Studies Teacher
aaron.buergi@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? I absolutely love musical theatre and doing make up.
What are you most passionate about? I am very passionate about drag as an art form, and then my new streak on Duolingo as I’m relearning French!
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Gold because I love how gold sparkles and it also means you’ve won first place.
What do you love about working at AHA? Although many challenges can be faced throughout the day, having support from co-workers and students helps me because the smaller environment helps prepare me for success. Smaller class sizes help students learn how they can learn the best!
Michael Bustamante
Paraprofessional
michael.bustamante@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? Two of my favorite hobbies at the moment are building Lego Star Wars, and Drag Brunches.
What are you most passionate about? I am passionate about Real Housewives and discussing it with friends.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? If I were a color I would be blue.
What do you love about working at AHA? I have been watching and listening to the students discuss their interests. How diverse it is.
Hannah Couch
Special Education Case Manager
hannah.couch@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? My two favorite hobbies are watching sports with friends and family and music!
What are you most passionate about? I am currently working towards my masters in social work and that came from previous jobs and learning through them that my passion is setting adolescents up for bright futures no matter where they come from
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? I would for sure be a sage green- love neutral colors
What do you love about working at AHA? I enjoy the small community and building meaningful relationships with students
Jinan Foss
Paraprofessional
jinan.foss@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? I love to take my new puppy Mily on walks, with my son Howie. I also like spending time in Hayward, Wi at our family cabin.
What are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about being a good mother.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? I would probably be a green crayon, because it is my son's favorite color.
What do you love about working at AHA? I love the small community at AHA, making relationships with students is a very rewarding feeling.
Davi Hicks
Administrator
davi.hicks@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? Ceramics and Sudoku
What are you most passionate about? Learning and Education
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Pink
What do you love most about working at AHA? Being able to make a difference in the lives of our youth
Sage Lindusky
Receptionist
sage.lindusky@academicarts.org
Two favorite hobbies? Arts & crafts and hammocking
What am i most passionate about? Family and Loved ones
If I were a crayon, what color would I be? Fuchsia
What do I like most about working at AHA? The Environment
Marty Mendez
Paraprofessional
marty.mendez@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? My two favorite hobbies would have to be Coaching and going to family sporting events, If I could choose a third it would be taking the family up north to go four wheeling and ATVing.
What are you most passionate about? I would say I'm extremely passionate about raising my three Sons (Marty III, Maximiliano and Matthias), and coaching youth sports for the West Side Boosters.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Black for many reasons, particularly because it goes with everything and matches well with all the other colors of the spectrum.
What do you love about working at AHA? Working at AHA has helped me with my own characteristics in myself, such as Patience and Understanding these I can take from the classroom and bring home and use in everyday situations I come across in life, working here has motivated me to help Motivate and that I love.
Jake Murphy
Language Arts Teacher
Jake.murphy@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies?
What are you most passionate about?
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
What do you love most about working at AHA?
Bess Nguyen
Science Teacher
bess.nguyen@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? My two favorite hobbies are yoga and snorkeling/swimming.
What are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about serving others, being a role model for my children and educating youth about our natural world.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? If I were a crayon, my color would probably change everyday based on how I feel. I love blues, hot magenta and pink flamingo (Crayola).
What do you love most about working at AHA? I love that I can make a difference in students' lives. The smaller class sizes and flexibility allow me to connect with students, as well as make it so there is differentiated instruction. I love that AHA is a school that is filled with hands-on, real world experiences that make learning accessible and fun.
Netta Penland
Special Education Coordinator
netta.penland@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? My two favorite hobbies are shopping and traveling.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about getting students prepared for their futures. I love to see their progress from the beginning of the school year until the end of the school year.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Turquoise because it reminds me of the ocean
What do you love most about working at AHA? The different personalities of the students, and learning about their passions for their future. Working in a small community makes it so much more meaningful!
Mariah Puffer
Paraprofessional
mariah.puffer@academicarts.org
What are your two favorite hobbies? Quilting and watching movies!
What are you most passionate about? friends, family and communicating with others in all aspects of life!
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Maroon - I love this color and it makes me think of fall colors which is my favorite season!
What do you love about working at AHA? I love the mission that AHA serves! "Learn by doing. Embrace your place in the world. Prepare for the future. And make friends along the way."
David Sorenson
Art Teacher
david.sorenson@academicarts.org
Two favorite hobbies? Painting and Canoeing
What are you most passionate about? Family
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Forest green. The color of trees and plants
What do you like most about working at AHA? The students and staff of AHA