Contact Us
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You may contact the School Board at board@tcgis.org.
Currently, the Board email goes to all Board members and the Director. |
Meet the Board Members
Kelly Laudon - Board Chair & Parent Community Member
Seated June 2016
Term ends June 2019
E-mail: klaudon@tcgis.org
As a parent of four young children with plans to send each of them to TCGIS, I have a tremendous interest in seeing the school thrive. I am a partner at the law firm of Lindquist & Vennum LLP in Minneapolis, and represent companies in court actions, arbitration, and mediation in a wide variety of business disputes. My experience as a business litigator gives me insight and experience in how conflicts arise and how to navigate through and resolve conflict in a healthy and productive way. Having lived in Berlin, Germany for two years, among other places, I appreciate how different cultures approach issues differently and believe that diversity of opinion and experience leads to stronger organizations. I have strong communication and negotiation skills that enable me to identify issues and problem-solve with people in a positive and constructive way. I am also committed to listening, and believe that listening to and considering the perspective of all stakeholders in an organization is important to its stability and growth. The teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members are all valued members of the TCGIS community, and it is critical to consider all of their viewpoints in making decisions that affect the school and its community. TCGIS is a special place with a strong community of people, and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve and help shape the place where my children learn and grow.
Term ends June 2019
E-mail: klaudon@tcgis.org
As a parent of four young children with plans to send each of them to TCGIS, I have a tremendous interest in seeing the school thrive. I am a partner at the law firm of Lindquist & Vennum LLP in Minneapolis, and represent companies in court actions, arbitration, and mediation in a wide variety of business disputes. My experience as a business litigator gives me insight and experience in how conflicts arise and how to navigate through and resolve conflict in a healthy and productive way. Having lived in Berlin, Germany for two years, among other places, I appreciate how different cultures approach issues differently and believe that diversity of opinion and experience leads to stronger organizations. I have strong communication and negotiation skills that enable me to identify issues and problem-solve with people in a positive and constructive way. I am also committed to listening, and believe that listening to and considering the perspective of all stakeholders in an organization is important to its stability and growth. The teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members are all valued members of the TCGIS community, and it is critical to consider all of their viewpoints in making decisions that affect the school and its community. TCGIS is a special place with a strong community of people, and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve and help shape the place where my children learn and grow.
DIANNE BELL - Fundraising & DEvelopment committee chair, PARENT COMMUNITY MEMBER
Seated October 2017
Term Ends June 2020
Email: dbell@tcgis.org
I have always been passionate about German and education, because German matters! I live in SW Minneapolis and both of my sons (3rd and 5th grades) are at TCGIS. I'm a native speaker with a BA in German Literature and the equivalent of a minor in Spanish from Carleton College. After graduation I spent a year at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg on a Fulbright Scholarship studying German dialect literature. I also have an MBA in Marketing from the University of St. Thomas. Professionally, I have over 20 years of corporate sales and marketing experience working for global engineering companies, including 3 years working at Honeywell's German headquarters outside of Frankfurt.
As a board member I look forward to applying my experience in marketing and communications in ways that will help and support the TCGIS community continue to grow and thrive.
Term Ends June 2020
Email: dbell@tcgis.org
I have always been passionate about German and education, because German matters! I live in SW Minneapolis and both of my sons (3rd and 5th grades) are at TCGIS. I'm a native speaker with a BA in German Literature and the equivalent of a minor in Spanish from Carleton College. After graduation I spent a year at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg on a Fulbright Scholarship studying German dialect literature. I also have an MBA in Marketing from the University of St. Thomas. Professionally, I have over 20 years of corporate sales and marketing experience working for global engineering companies, including 3 years working at Honeywell's German headquarters outside of Frankfurt.
As a board member I look forward to applying my experience in marketing and communications in ways that will help and support the TCGIS community continue to grow and thrive.
Nic Ludwig - Facilities Chair & Parent Community Member
Seated August 2017
Term Ends June 2019
Email: nludwig@tcgis.org
I am excited to be supporting TCGIS by serving on the Board. I have one son in 1st grade here, and his younger brother started Kindergarten this fall. Our family has been very pleased with our strong school community and the excellent opportunity to have the boys learn a second language through an immersion program. My heritage is 50% German and I want my kids to learn more about their heritage. We live in the Como area, and appreciate that TCGIS plays a part in creating a vibrant neighborhood here. I have a professional background in finance, entrepreneurship, non-profit board experience and childcare. I hope to bring a fresh, common-sense approach to Board conversations and decisions.
Term Ends June 2019
Email: nludwig@tcgis.org
I am excited to be supporting TCGIS by serving on the Board. I have one son in 1st grade here, and his younger brother started Kindergarten this fall. Our family has been very pleased with our strong school community and the excellent opportunity to have the boys learn a second language through an immersion program. My heritage is 50% German and I want my kids to learn more about their heritage. We live in the Como area, and appreciate that TCGIS plays a part in creating a vibrant neighborhood here. I have a professional background in finance, entrepreneurship, non-profit board experience and childcare. I hope to bring a fresh, common-sense approach to Board conversations and decisions.
KRISTIN HELLING - Parent liaison & PARENT COMMUNITY MEMBER
Seated June 2016
Terms Ends June 2019
Email: khelling@tcgis.org
I have two girls attending the TCGIS who will be entering 6th and 4rd grade for the 2016/2017 school year. We moved to Minnesota in 2014 from Hamburg, Germany where we lived as expats for 3 years. I have a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and have worked in leadership development, as a consultant, for many years in areas such as effective teamwork, coaching, and strategic thinking. I am passionate about creating an open environment where honest, thoughtful and respectful dialogue is expected. I am excited to be on the board during this time of new opportunities and growth. I will strive to work with the board, administration and community in creating a positive environment while setting a clear vision and strategy for the school moving into this new chapter.
Terms Ends June 2019
Email: khelling@tcgis.org
I have two girls attending the TCGIS who will be entering 6th and 4rd grade for the 2016/2017 school year. We moved to Minnesota in 2014 from Hamburg, Germany where we lived as expats for 3 years. I have a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and have worked in leadership development, as a consultant, for many years in areas such as effective teamwork, coaching, and strategic thinking. I am passionate about creating an open environment where honest, thoughtful and respectful dialogue is expected. I am excited to be on the board during this time of new opportunities and growth. I will strive to work with the board, administration and community in creating a positive environment while setting a clear vision and strategy for the school moving into this new chapter.
Seated February 2017
Term Ends June 2018
Email: fliesner@tcgis.org
I was born and raised in Germany and after studying and working in different education-related fields across the globe, I have found my home in Minnesota where I started working at TCGIS in 2015. Over here, I have taught grade levels 4-8 in German Language Arts, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health, and Technology so far. Additionally, I have helped incoming 5th graders with their transition into the Middle School as a homeroom teachers in the past two years.
Apart from my regular teaching duties, I am currently serving as intern spokesperson for the Middle School, school development team spokesperson, Professional Learning committee co-chair and Middle School representative on the staff council, an institution that brings forward staff input to the Executive Director. Being immersed in the school on this many levels, I feel I can bring a valuable and varied perspective to the Board and hope to be able to help the school during the transition time with our new director.
Term Ends June 2018
Email: fliesner@tcgis.org
I was born and raised in Germany and after studying and working in different education-related fields across the globe, I have found my home in Minnesota where I started working at TCGIS in 2015. Over here, I have taught grade levels 4-8 in German Language Arts, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health, and Technology so far. Additionally, I have helped incoming 5th graders with their transition into the Middle School as a homeroom teachers in the past two years.
Apart from my regular teaching duties, I am currently serving as intern spokesperson for the Middle School, school development team spokesperson, Professional Learning committee co-chair and Middle School representative on the staff council, an institution that brings forward staff input to the Executive Director. Being immersed in the school on this many levels, I feel I can bring a valuable and varied perspective to the Board and hope to be able to help the school during the transition time with our new director.
WolfGang Koch - Board member & Elementary School Teacher
Seated June 2017
Term Ends June 2019
Email: wkoch@tcgis.org
I am a native Austrian with a diploma in elementary education from the Pedagogical Academy of Graz, Austria. I have been teaching at TCGIS for over 5 years now. My priorities for board work would be meaningful policies that support learning and academics and a stronger focus on the German language immersion and making the school a high achievement environment again that readies students for international colleges.
Term Ends June 2019
Email: wkoch@tcgis.org
I am a native Austrian with a diploma in elementary education from the Pedagogical Academy of Graz, Austria. I have been teaching at TCGIS for over 5 years now. My priorities for board work would be meaningful policies that support learning and academics and a stronger focus on the German language immersion and making the school a high achievement environment again that readies students for international colleges.
Seated June 2015
Term ends June 2018
Email: joosterhoff@tcgis.org
I am a native of the Netherlands and came to the US in 1991. I received my PhD in German literature from Washington University in Saint Louis in 1998. I have since been teaching at the University of Minnesota as a lecturer in Dutch and German. I have a lot of experience in teaching, mentoring and training beginning teachers and curriculum development. I care a lot about teaching excellence and innovative teaching methods. As a teacher liaison on the board of the Twin Cities German Immersion School, I hope to connect with teachers, get to know teaching practices and learn about curricular decisions. I hope to be a valuable connection between TCGIS and the Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch at the University of Minnesota. The vitality of German programs in K-12 education is important for the survival of German at the college level. Bridging the gap between eighth grade and PSEO (post-secondary enrollment option) at the University of Minnesota is one of the issues I would like to address. To that end, I would love to connect with parents of graduates who want to continue their German studies.
Term ends June 2018
Email: joosterhoff@tcgis.org
I am a native of the Netherlands and came to the US in 1991. I received my PhD in German literature from Washington University in Saint Louis in 1998. I have since been teaching at the University of Minnesota as a lecturer in Dutch and German. I have a lot of experience in teaching, mentoring and training beginning teachers and curriculum development. I care a lot about teaching excellence and innovative teaching methods. As a teacher liaison on the board of the Twin Cities German Immersion School, I hope to connect with teachers, get to know teaching practices and learn about curricular decisions. I hope to be a valuable connection between TCGIS and the Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch at the University of Minnesota. The vitality of German programs in K-12 education is important for the survival of German at the college level. Bridging the gap between eighth grade and PSEO (post-secondary enrollment option) at the University of Minnesota is one of the issues I would like to address. To that end, I would love to connect with parents of graduates who want to continue their German studies.
Seated June 2017
Term Ends 2019
Email: sforsland@tcgis.org
My twin daughters both attend TCGIS and have spoken German and English since they were toddlers. I lived in Stuttgart and attended the Waldorf Schule for a number of my elementary school years. I studied German in high school (Chicago-area) and at Macalester College, returning to Baden Württemberg for a semester of study at the University of Tübingen. This past summer (2017) was my twelfth year on staff at Concordia Language Village’s German-immersion summer camp, Waldsee. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Geography, a Master of Urban Planning, and a secondary school teaching license. I have professional experience in urban planning and design, historic preservation, journalism, and graphic design. Since 2000, I have been an Advanced Placement teacher at St. Anthony Village High School. In my free time, I volunteer with Circus Juventas, Pas de Deux ballet studio, and Girl Scouts. I am an avid distance runner and practice yoga, and put my carpentry, painting, and design skills to work while restoring historic furniture and our home, a 1904 eclectic neo-colonial Foursquare.
Term Ends 2019
Email: sforsland@tcgis.org
My twin daughters both attend TCGIS and have spoken German and English since they were toddlers. I lived in Stuttgart and attended the Waldorf Schule for a number of my elementary school years. I studied German in high school (Chicago-area) and at Macalester College, returning to Baden Württemberg for a semester of study at the University of Tübingen. This past summer (2017) was my twelfth year on staff at Concordia Language Village’s German-immersion summer camp, Waldsee. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Geography, a Master of Urban Planning, and a secondary school teaching license. I have professional experience in urban planning and design, historic preservation, journalism, and graphic design. Since 2000, I have been an Advanced Placement teacher at St. Anthony Village High School. In my free time, I volunteer with Circus Juventas, Pas de Deux ballet studio, and Girl Scouts. I am an avid distance runner and practice yoga, and put my carpentry, painting, and design skills to work while restoring historic furniture and our home, a 1904 eclectic neo-colonial Foursquare.
Seated June, 2015
Term ends June, 2018
Email: cvelureroholt@tcgis.org
I am a parent of a 3rd grader (2016-2017) TCGIS student and live in NE Minneapolis. I have been a school board member for 1 year and involved at TCGIS through the PTO previously and helping out in small ways at school events and in the classroom. I bring a number of perspectives and experiences that support the work of the board including; parent, former English Language Learners teacher for 10 years (K-12 in St. Paul Public, Northern Ireland, Japan), language learner (Japanese & Spanish), researcher (corporate, non-profit, & educational settings), international living and working experience for 6 years (Japan, Northern Ireland, Jordan), knowledge and implementation of leadership frameworks as a University of Minnesota faculty in the Leadership Minor for 8 years, and practice of working in complex systems. I care deeply about supporting the personal, social and academic success of students, the professional development of and a supportive environment for staff, and a deepening sense of belonging among the families connected to the school. I will use my skills to serve as a liaison between the TCGIS community and the school board to communicate questions, concerns, and ideas related to board issues. It requires us collectively holding the board and school administration accountable to TCGIS’s vision, mission, policy decisions, goals, growth, and budget. My previous work in different sectors and roles allows me to hold multiple perspectives in discussion and decision making while supporting a clear direction for the school.
Term ends June, 2018
Email: cvelureroholt@tcgis.org
I am a parent of a 3rd grader (2016-2017) TCGIS student and live in NE Minneapolis. I have been a school board member for 1 year and involved at TCGIS through the PTO previously and helping out in small ways at school events and in the classroom. I bring a number of perspectives and experiences that support the work of the board including; parent, former English Language Learners teacher for 10 years (K-12 in St. Paul Public, Northern Ireland, Japan), language learner (Japanese & Spanish), researcher (corporate, non-profit, & educational settings), international living and working experience for 6 years (Japan, Northern Ireland, Jordan), knowledge and implementation of leadership frameworks as a University of Minnesota faculty in the Leadership Minor for 8 years, and practice of working in complex systems. I care deeply about supporting the personal, social and academic success of students, the professional development of and a supportive environment for staff, and a deepening sense of belonging among the families connected to the school. I will use my skills to serve as a liaison between the TCGIS community and the school board to communicate questions, concerns, and ideas related to board issues. It requires us collectively holding the board and school administration accountable to TCGIS’s vision, mission, policy decisions, goals, growth, and budget. My previous work in different sectors and roles allows me to hold multiple perspectives in discussion and decision making while supporting a clear direction for the school.
Sam Walling - Finance Chair & PARENT COMMUNITY MEMBER
Seated October 2017
Term Ends June 2020
Email: swalling@tcgis.org
I am the parent of two children who have attended TCGIS since Kindergarten, and who will be entering 2nd and 4th grade for the 2017/2018 school year. Given the impact that TCGIS has on my children and hundreds of others, in the form of day-to-day experiences and a lifelong education, I am strongly committed to ensuring that the school thrives in the present and prepares for the future.
I bring with me the experience of having studied German through college, and lived and travelled abroad throughout Europe and Asia. This allows me to appreciate the value of diverse experiences, and the power of providing children with fluency in a second language that will stay with them forever. I also bring with me the experience of having represented corporations and individuals in courts across the country for the past ten years. These experiences allow me to appreciate the importance of listening, collecting different viewpoints, and collaboratively arriving at a strategy for successfully resolving complex disputes that involve numerous stakeholders.
I believe in supporting and investing in the institutions that matter most in our lives. TCGIS is such a place. As a result, it is my mission to ensure that TCGIS provides each student with a superior learning experience, with German immersion at its core, that prepares students for success in high school, college, and life. It is my honor to be entrusted with such a task.
Term Ends June 2020
Email: swalling@tcgis.org
I am the parent of two children who have attended TCGIS since Kindergarten, and who will be entering 2nd and 4th grade for the 2017/2018 school year. Given the impact that TCGIS has on my children and hundreds of others, in the form of day-to-day experiences and a lifelong education, I am strongly committed to ensuring that the school thrives in the present and prepares for the future.
I bring with me the experience of having studied German through college, and lived and travelled abroad throughout Europe and Asia. This allows me to appreciate the value of diverse experiences, and the power of providing children with fluency in a second language that will stay with them forever. I also bring with me the experience of having represented corporations and individuals in courts across the country for the past ten years. These experiences allow me to appreciate the importance of listening, collecting different viewpoints, and collaboratively arriving at a strategy for successfully resolving complex disputes that involve numerous stakeholders.
I believe in supporting and investing in the institutions that matter most in our lives. TCGIS is such a place. As a result, it is my mission to ensure that TCGIS provides each student with a superior learning experience, with German immersion at its core, that prepares students for success in high school, college, and life. It is my honor to be entrusted with such a task.
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HoursM-F:
7.30am - 4pm |
Tel & Fax651-492-7106
651-330-2270 |
Address |
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Authorizer:
University of St. Thomas 2115 Summit Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105 dana.peterson@stthomas.edu Phone: 651-962-4372 |
