Center for Learning and Teaching

Tristan Gavin, Lower School Learning Specialist, comes to SPA from the Bertschi School in Seattle where he worked as a learning specialist. He loves learning students' strengths, challenges, and motivations for succeeding in school, and working with teachers to give students the support that they need to succeed. At SPA, Tristan is responsible for tracking student growth, making plans for their support, and providing resources to teachers and families. Tristan holds a bachelor's from Whitman College and a master's from Relay Graduate School of Education.

Ethan Bergeson, serves as the Middle School Learning Specialist and supports students in their academic endeavors and helps them navigate the intellectual changes that are characteristic of the Middle School years. Ethan provides direct academic support to Middle School students both individually and in small groups, and teaches the Grade 6 Compass class, which is required of all students and focuses on developing strong academic habits. Ethan holds a master's in teaching from Whitworth University.
 

Emily King serves as the Upper School Learning Specialist for the Center of Learning and Teaching. Emily came to SPA from Hastings High School where she taught various subjects in Grades 10-12, and worked on academic data tracking and interventions as a lead behavioral and academic intervention specialist for Grades 5-6 students. In the Center for Learning and Teaching, Emily is responsible for tracking student growth, making plans for their support, and providing resources to teachers and families.

The four-person counseling staff supports individuals and small groups of students when social, emotional, or behavioral challenges may arise. Counselors can offer assistance in problem-solving and conflict resolution, guidance on developing and maintaining healthy relationships, and self-esteem. Counselors collaborate with students, teachers, and families to create supportive learning and social environments for students.

Our counseling staff does not replace the role of individual therapists, although counselors do offer brief, time-limited therapies in school adjustment, self-regulation, stress-management, social skills development, and self-care. Counselors can support the ongoing work of individual therapists by providing context and support at school that enhances the ongoing work of the primary individual therapist with a student outside of school.

The counseling staff includes:

Ally Youderian, Lower School Counselor: Ally Youderian, is a resource for Lower School students, families, and faculty. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and her master's degree in School Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ally joined the SPA community in 2020 after serving as a school counselor in New Richmond, Wisconsin for seven years. “Mrs. Y” provides short-term individual or small group counseling for any student at the Lower School. School counseling referrals may come from teachers, families, or as a student self-referral. Common topics include self-regulation, managing strong emotions, friendship/social skills, coping with change/transitions (e.g. family changes, moving, or other major transitions), and grief support. Mrs. Y also works with all students through monthly wellness lessons and other school-wide programming. Wellness lesson topics are determined by the CASEL Framework, ASCA (American School Counselor Association) Student Standards, and student needs assessment data, and are designed to complement the skills students learn through the TOOLBOX curriculum.

Jennifer Prestegaard, Middle & Upper School Counselor:  Jennifer Prestegaard, joins SPA after a very successful career in the Stillwater Area Schools District where she served as both a Middle and Upper School Counselor, as well as an AVID coordinator. During her time with the Stillwater District she served on multiple committees addressing various social-emotional needs of students, and served as the advisor for the International Exchange Club and Students Promoting Asian Awareness diversity club. Jennifer earned her master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota. 

Clare Roney, Upper School Counselor: Clare Roney joins SPA as an Upper School Counselor. She has served as a School Counselor at Champlin Park High School since 2018 and from 2008-13. With a caseload of over 400 students, Clare was responsible for what we would call advising at SPA, as well as social-emotional counseling and 504 Plan implementation. At Groves Academy in St. Louis Park, Clare was the Career and Post-Secondary Counselor. Previous experiences included teaching and counseling in Buffalo, MN, and in Paraguay. Clare studied Political Science at Creighton University and received her MSE in School Counseling from UW-River Falls. Clare has extensive leadership and service in schools as well as in her parent community.

Jake Turnbloom, Upper School Counselor: Jake Turnbloom comes to SPA from Robbinsdale Area Schools, where he has served as a school Social Worker since 2020. Jake brings extensive experience in counseling individuals, groups, and families. Prior to working in schools, Jake worked as a Multisystemic Therapist with The Family Partnership and as a Case Manager with St. Stephen’s Human Services. Jake earned both his Bachelor’s degree in Family Social Science and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. His counseling experience includes utilizing a variety of therapeutic approaches to support students.