Together, we are raising up a generation of passionate,
self-directed learners who find joy in exploration and discovery…
because it truly does take a village.
Once upon a time…
In the center of a village, there stood a school. This was no ordinary school. This was a place where wonder, dreams and imagination were embraced. Where classes such as cooking, art and movement were center stage rather than tossed to the side or altogether gone. The children spent ample time in the fresh air with the grass beneath their feet. They felt both at peace and excited to learn. After all, they had arrived not through crowded hallways but by way of a walk in the woods. The families adored this place because it allowed them opportunities to enrich their child’s education. Rather than driving all over town, pursuing an overwhelming amount of activities, they found it all in one place. Finally their children could dabble in watercolor, practice mindfulness in yoga, and learn about healthy eating without crisscrossing the metro.
Sound to good to be true?
Our Village School was born out of this fairytale and strives to make it a reality. We are redefining “school” as we create a fresh space to inspire a generation of lifelong learners. Our program encourages exploration in areas that are relevant, fun, and foster a love of learning. All while providing ample time outdoors in a beautiful natural setting.
We strive to provide a place where the traditional model and homeschool model can coexist in harmony. Homeschool at your own pace in core subjects, enjoying the freedom and personalization of that model. Then come visit Our Village School two days a week for community, socialization and a deeper dive into the finer things of life. Finally a balanced model with the best of both worlds.
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Meet Our Guides
Our talented guides are the heart of Our Village School.
They are the best of the best in our community – the Village Experts. This is a dedicated team of
individuals passionate about helping to raise up a generation of lifelong learners.
Maria Stalsberg
Founder/Director/KIds Inc. & Forest Play Guide
Our Village School is the fairytale I've been dreaming about for years. Holding my Master's degree in teaching, I adored my time in the classroom until it was time to step away and raise up my own tribe of Littles. However, after sending my eldest to traditional school for K, I found myself longing for a fresh approach to education. One that embraced the wonder of childhood and existed to cater to the individual learner—all while providing ample time outdoors. With the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, I stumbled into the fresh approach I'd been craving—homeschooling. Identifying with the fears of isolation and inadequacy when it comes to schooling at home, I set out to finally bring that fairytale to life.
Aaron Strawn
Drama
Aaron is an entrepreneur with a passion for drama. His 14-year career working with children and theatre inspired him to launch Drama Lab, an after school program that has enrolled over 1000 students in 40+ locations. Drama Lab is committed to helping kids grow in confidence and find acceptance all within an interactive and fun environment! When Aaron isn’t dreaming up new ideas, he loves to be home with his family, watch hockey, DJ weddings, and hunt down the most current techie toys.
Jess Ferris
Explorer Anchor (T/Th)
Jess is a MN native who has been in the homeschool community since 2007, where she spent several years running a co-op in addition to educating her 6 neurodivergent kids. Two of her kids have graduated, two have transitioned to public school, & two are currently homeschooled and attend OVS as Adventurers. Jess is passionate about seeing the potential in each student & creating an environment that empowers them to be curious about the world around them. She spends her time as a licensed contractor, encouraging families through her education consulting firm, loving her kids, & traveling the world with her partner.
Rita Ryan
Art
Rita Ryan is a local artist who has showcased her pieces locally at the Lakeville Area Performing Arts Center. She is also a retired Lakeville teacher and most importantly a grandmother. Her passion is helping children unleash their creative spirit through art. She has a knack for developing and coaching budding artists to help them discover and refine their unique artistic abilities.
Sarah Lang
Cooking
Sarah is a homeschool mom, personal chef and business owner. Sarah graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in Strategic Communications, and she finished college in Italy, where she completely fell in love with food. In 2014 she started A Simple Kitchen, which provides families with freshly prepared meals in the comfort of their homes, along with dinner parties and special events. Sarah loves to talk about food and is a regular guest on many local TV shows. She has partnered with local and national brands as a recipe developer. Sarah is excited to guide the kids at OVS in the joy of preparing and enjoying healthy and delicious foods. She also looks forward to helping expand horizons to appreciate food from around the world.
Liz Markel
Explorer Anchor & Forest Play Guide (M/W)
Liz is a former teacher turned homeschooling mom. She has a Master’s in Teaching, has experience nannying, working with children with autism, teaching preschool, kindergarten, and first grade, and most recently taught kindergarten/first grade for a homeschool co-op. Liz loves being outside with her husband and three children, reading, and learning to Irish dance.
Kim Kvasnicka
Explorer Anchor and Site Lead (M/W)
Kim is a registered nurse and homeschooling mama who has been a part of the OVS community for two years. She enjoys being outdoors - hiking, biking, camping, running, and attempting to canoe correctly. Exercise and holistic health are also a few of her passions along with her darlings Mac and Morgan.
Megan Henning
Science (Th)
Megan is an environmental educator with a variety of teaching experience. She has a Bachelors in Biology and Environmental Studies and a Masters in Teaching. Megan has taught biology in public and private schools and nature programming to preK-adults and works as an Intermittent Interpretive Naturalist nearby. Megan is passionate about connecting kids to nature and hopes to inspire them to take action to help conservation. She enjoys hiking, camping, bird watching, coffee and visiting her cabin in Grand Marais with her husband, 2 kids and 2 dogs.
Erin Steinhibel
Connect
Erin is a homeschooling mama of 2 & holds a degree in conservation biology and a master's certificate in environmental education. She loves travel & adventure, and has lived abroad in Kenya, Costa Rica, and South Korea!
Erin has classroom experience working with large multi-age groups. She taught in an immersion program, zoo camp programs, and educational and public outdoor programming. She also provides educational and recreational programs with the National Park Service.
Erin loves being outside, and can be found camping, hiking, kayaking & playing with her kids in her free time.
Kayla Ragborg
Movement
Kayla is a homeschool mom of 2 girls, Hazel and Violet. She is a registered nurse and has worked on an inpatient adolescent/child mental unit for 12 years. Kayla has been involved in sports all her life and has a passion for teaching kids about health and how movement is fun! In her free time she loves learning about all things health and fitness, mental health, and doing any activities outside!
Jessica Sieh
Music
Jessica is a private piano and voice teacher. Before OVS, she taught K-8 music in both the Lakeville and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school districts. She lives in Apple Valley with her husband, their baby boy (born in July 2023), and pooch.
Dave Stalsberg
Shop (T)
Dave is considered the OVS handyman and a skilled maker! When he's not working his day job as a commercial real estate broker, he can usually be found tinkering with some sort of building project. As a former Young Life leader and dad to 4, he has a knack for connecting with kids and is passionate about equipping them with real life skills for their futures. He enjoys spending time with his family, their dog Jack, fishing & golfing.
Stephanie Millard
Explorer Anchor (T/Th)
Stephanie has a degree in early childhood special education, but pivoted into a role as an ASL interpreter after college. She worked as an interpreter for 11 years in the education setting, and loved the opportunities that came with that profession. In 2020, her career shifted into one of the most important positions she’s ever had...a homeschooling mama. Stephanie and her darling fam live in Northfield and have been a part of the OVS village for years.
Sarah (Lulu) Kjellsen
Team
Sarah has worked with children her whole life as a babysitter, nanny, and counselor. She has a BA in Child Development & Family Consumer Sciences. She earned her Yoga certification and co-created a children’s yoga camp. Before moving to Minnesota she was an Assistant Teacher for 6 years at a small Montessori school in the mountains of Colorado; this experience inspired her love for Forrest education. She finds awe during all seasons of the year and fosters a child’s love of nature through encouraging a calm, loving, and peaceful environment.
Brittany Simpson
Makerspace
Brittany is a homeschooling mom to 2 OVS explorers. She has a Bachelors in Human Services and worked as a job coach and mental health worker in a youth residential facility prior to staying home. She has a passion for inviting others into deeper connection with themselves and the world around them and creating is a large piece of that process! She has a fiber arts business that highlights her love of houseplants with macrame plant hangers, various macrame creations, and woven wall hangings. She looks forward to fostering confidence and fun in students as they lean into their inner creative spark! It is a joy and inspiration witnessing the wonder of a child’s imagination coming to life through their own hands.
Bridget Benson
Drama (W)
Bridget Benson works in the Twin Cities as a professional theater actor, director, choreographer & teaching artist. She has worked with a variety of theaters all over MN such as Lyric Arts, Artistry, Ashland Productions, Lakeshore Players Theater, 4 Community Theater, Children's Performing Arts, & The Phipps Center for the Arts. She has taught hundreds of children ranging from grades pre-K to 12. She loves seeing students break out of their shell while learning theater practices. Watching her students express their creative ideas is the biggest highlight of her career. Outside of the theater, you can catch Bridget trying local restaurants, coaching high school speech, or teaching preschoolers dance.
Zach Secrist
Shop (W)
Zach is a licensed school psychologist and father of two girls in the OVS program. Zach and his family have been living, working and traveling overseas for the last 14 years and are now settling back down in Minnesota to be closer to family. Zach does the primary homeschooling with his girls, enjoys mountain biking, camping, and gardening. His interests also include natural health/nutrition, biohacking and home renovation projects.
Jenna Gorman
Cooking
Jenna has a degree in Chemistry and a Master's in Education. She has used these degrees in multiple careers as a food chemist at General Mills and as a chemistry teacher at Shakopee High School. When she and her husband decided to start a family, Jenna chose to stay home with their two boys (now 8 and 11). Five years ago, she started her food blog, Land of 10,000 Recipes, with the hopes of sharing her love of food and cooking with her kids. Her blog has grown into something more than she could have ever dreamed! She has made multiple appearances on Twin Cities Live, WCCO and Fox9. She loves getting kids involved in the kitchen and teaching them skills they can bring into adulthood.
Jen Demetriades
Science (M)
Jen is a former licensed public high school teacher turned homeschool mom. She taught chemistry and coached soccer for 6 years, and loves all things science, music, and art. Of all the daily adventures with her three boys, she enjoys traveling, camping, frisbee golf, and board games the most.
Heidi Fish
Assistant Director - Trailblazers
Heidi is a homeschool mom with a passion for business and wellness. With a Bachelor's in dance and her master's in business administration, she has experience with growing several of her own businesses as well as teaching fitness classes at Orangetheory and Lifetime. She is the proud mom of 11 year old twin girls. In her free time she enjoys traveling, artistic hobbies and doing puzzles. She is honored to be a part of the OVS community and can't wait to see the future unfold for the upcoming Trailblazers cohort.