Student Resources and Support

There are multiple resources within the Upper School for student support, which is most often a partnership between a student's teachers, the advisor, and the support staff and resources listed below. 

Visit the Center for LEARNING AND TEACHING 

Academic support

Upper School Learning Specialist Emily King supports students in their academic endeavors and helps them navigate changes and decisions that are characteristic of the Upper School years. Whether developing learning plans with families, collaborating with faculty to support students, or coaching students in executive functioning skills, she brings a nuanced understanding of neurodiversity and cultivates research-informed strategies that promote both academic success and personal growth. Prior to SPA, Emily worked in the Hastings public school district, where she taught social studies to 6th and 7th graders and served as an intervention specialist at their Alternative Learning Center. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Augsburg College and is a licensed teacher in secondary education.

For more information about academic tutoring, learning differences, or the work of the Center for Learning and Teaching, contact Karen Rassmussen.

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Counseling services

Adolescence is a time of enormous change and growth, and we recognize the need for social and emotional support for all of our Upper School students (and their parents) as they navigate the teenage years and the transition to college.

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 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. 

 

 

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DIVERSITY AND IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. SPA's Interim Director of Intercultural Life, is a nationally recognized thought leader, educator, and motivational speaker with a mission to inspire and equip individuals and organizations to confront and dismantle systemic inequities. With an impressive career spanning academia, business, leadership, and community service, Dr. Moore’s work has left a transformative impact on countless lives and communities. Dr. Moore holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Iowa, where his research focused on Black football players at Division III schools in the Midwest. He is also a Certified Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance) and a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI).