Drew has led River Grove since its founding in 2017, guiding it to becoming one of the most successful new charter schools in Minnesota. Drew has significant experience in the charter school world, with over twelve years in school leadership. He has been instrumental in the success of charter school start-ups, including Mission Heights Preparatory High School. Mission Heights earned several awards, including the highly sought “A rating” from the Arizona Department of Education. Drew is excited for the future of River Grove as it seeks to become a top institute of environmental learning. His past experience also includes work as a guidance counselor, teacher, coach and athletic director. Drew grew up in the Twin Cities and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in strategic communication and history. In his spare time he enjoys playing and watching sports as well as spending time with his wife and two girls. Drew is also a proud River Grove parent!

Jessica serves the school in a variety of capacities including instructional leadership, staff development and daily programming. Jessica has been integral to our school’s start up, continuation and success as a former teacher and Board Chair. She has over 25 years of experience in a variety of public and private educational settings, including her role as an area preschool Director. She is skilled at designing innovative curriculum, nurturing student strengths and creating a cheerful school culture. She has a psychology degree from Bethel University, holds a K-12 ELL License and Master of Education Degree from the U of M. Jessica and her family have lived in the St. Croix Valley countryside since 2007. She grew up on a 3rd generation farm and enjoys gardening, caring for animals and exploring beautiful places. As a former school parent, she can attest to the exceptional gift of a River Grove education!

Shelly Vrambout holds a degree in Academic Behavioral Strategy from Augsburg University. Prior to joining the River Grove team in 2019, she spent six years working in the special education department at Stillwater Area High School. She believes that experiential hands-on learning not only promotes academic growth but essential life skills. She takes pride in developing genuine relationships with parents and students in order to provide intentional interest-based lessons, keeping students engaged and excited about learning. Shelly enjoys spending time with her three children and dog Charles Bartowski. Shelly is proud to be a part of River Grove and is looking forward to the days ahead filled with exploration and discovery. She adds, “I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing caring, supportive, and talented community!”

Madison Boesel is a graduate of Bethel University in St. Paul with education degrees in K-6, Early Childhood, and Preprimary. She is a school board member and long-time River Grove teacher. Madison loves to travel and experience new things! Prior to coming to River Grove, she spent time volunteering and learning about outdoor schools in England and Italy. Madison enjoys having fun and laughing with her students. She is committed to having a student-centered classroom and is excited to share her love of the outdoors with her students to create a hands-on learning experience. Outside of school, Madison enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, camping, hiking, and exploring new coffee shops!

Alice Williams holds a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy from University of Colorado-Boulder. She is currently working on her Master Gardener Certificate from the U of M. Alice has taught several of our grades at River Grove, in addition to teaching in Minnesota and Colorado, working as a Special Education paraprofessional and Title I teacher. She has a passion for the outdoors and the benefits that nature-based learning can bring to the classroom! She strives to create a welcoming, inclusive classroom community and is dedicated to building relationships, helping students embrace challenges and achieve their goals. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys gardening, reading, traveling, hiking, climbing, fly fishing, and hanging out with her husband and two dogs.

Meghan Ondracek is a Stillwater native, a University of Minnesota graduate, and a River Grove parent. She earned her B.S. in Foundations of Education and holds licenses in Elementary Education and Communication Arts and Literature (5-8).  Meghan has a wide variety of teaching experience at the elementary level, including academic support in reading and math, inquiry based instruction, and Montessori experience. Along with bringing her passion for children’s literature and child-led discovery to the classroom, Meghan loves motivating students through hands-on, high interest educational experiences.

After graduating from Bethel University in 2019 with BA’s in Elementary Education and Spanish, Kathryn spent four years teaching 1st grade at a local Spanish Immersion school. She has spent extensive time traveling in Spain and Jordan, while also completing an MA through Bethel Seminary. She is passionate about intercultural competency, traveling, and learning new languages. Kathryn loves being outside in any capacity, especially hiking, kayaking, gardening, skiing, skating, and playing broomball, and combines her heart for teaching with her love for being active in nature. She is committed to student-centered learning and finds great joy in partnering with students and their families in a time of significant cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development. Kathryn works to model grit, growth-mindset, and curiosity both in and out of the classroom.

Born and raised in rural northwest Minnesota, Aaron loves teaching in a rural setting at a school that is focused on connecting young people with the land. Aaron received a B.A. in History from Carleton College in 2019 and later went on to obtain a M.A.T. in Elementary and Middle School Education from the University of Chicago. He has worked as a naturalist on the Gunflint Trail (feel free to ask him about moose), and taught at an outdoor-based summer camp near St. Paul, where he worked with kindergarteners and 1st grade students. In his free time he enjoys reading and writing, playing country and folk songs on his guitar, golfing, canoeing, fishing, hunting, playing hockey, and taking part in just about every Minnesota winter activity you can imagine.

Adam Johnson has taught at River Grove since our first year. Prior to joining River Grove, Adam taught fifth grade in Maplewood, MN, and first grade in Roseville. He received an Elementary Education degree from Augsburg College in 2013. Adam is originally from up the river in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and has been very familiar with the area his whole life. Adam regularly brings his class into nature (he once took his school’s entire fifth grade on a multi-day camping trip!) and the greater St. Croix River Valley community. He enjoys getting to know the students who will make up our classroom community and welcomes any communication regarding the educational journey together. He added, “Bringing the world to your child is a fantastic responsibility and joy.” Outside of teaching, Adam enjoys playing guitar, trivia, biking, running, cooking and camping.

Sara Misner is honored and overjoyed to be the School Counselor (LSC) at River Grove. For Sara, being a school counselor is the perfect culmination of her desire to help students succeed in all areas of their life while being with them in the school setting. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Masters in School Counseling from Adler Graduate School. Being in the outdoors has always been a passion and source of joy. She has taken graduate classes in outdoor education at the University of Minnesota and was a part-time naturalist for the City of Minneapolis and Three Rivers Park District. As a former piano teacher, she discovered that establishing strong relationships and connecting well with students and families was at the core of her teaching and personal philosophy. Sara’s interests include listening to and playing music and spending time outdoors hiking, camping, biking, and gardening with her husband, two children and their dog.

Shelly graduated from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls with a Bachelor of Science in Broad Area Art Education (K-12) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting. She taught early childhood at a Reggio inspired Montessori in St. Paul for four years before coming to River Grove. She started her journey at River Grove in 2018 as a paraprofessional in Special Education and began teaching Special Education in 2021. Shelly is dedicated to building collaborative relationships with staff, families, and students to ensure the best possible educational experience for all students. Shelly, her husband, and their son enjoy spending time together on their hobby farm in Shafer, MN. In her free time Shelly enjoys running her small art business, Orr Acres Farm LLC.

Derek Petersen is delighted to be working with the students and staff of River Grove. Having graduated with a Bachelors in Studio Art and a Masters in Architecture, he came to the school through a unique route. His concern for the life of children has always been strong, having written his thesis on designing our neighborhoods to nurture child-directed play, “Back on the Streets: Architecture for Adolescent Leisure in the City.” After practicing as an architect for a decade and teaching drawing in the university, he has come to River Grove initially as a paraprofessional and now in Special Education. Outside of school, Derek enjoys wearing overalls, reading (mostly nonfiction, but he can be persuaded otherwise), drawing houses, going on bike rides or walks with his family, storytelling, and laughing as loudly as the setting permits.

Kaitlyn Carlson lives in Franconia, MN with her husband and four kids on the bluffs of the St. Croix River. Her children have all attended River Grove. She holds a BA in Teaching English as a Second Language from Northwestern College as well as a masters degree in Reading. She began her teaching career as a Title 1 reading teacher. She combines her 17 years of teaching experience with this unique learning setting and committed team of educators to provide students with an educational experience they will carry with them the rest of their lives. When she is not at school, you can find her listening to a good audiobook with knitting and coffee or playing games with her family.  

Brent has twenty years experience coaching health, fitness and sports. He holds a M.Ed. in Applied Kinesiology with advanced coursework in human development, behavioral science, anatomy and physiology. Brent has worked with people of all ages, and he loves working with youth. “River Grove Elementary is such a special place. Everyday is an opportunity to shape kids' attitudes toward the outdoors, play, and physical activity. My hope for every student is that positive experiences at River Grove will set them up for success as confident, capable kids.”

Sandi Bonarski is an integral member of River Grove’s office team as the Business Manager and Nutrition Director. She holds a Certified Food Protection Manager license and a ServSafe certification. She has a 29-year background in Nutrition Services, starting her career in Forest Lake, MN. She was the Nutrition Manager at an elementary school in Michigan and the Nutrition Director for the Amery Medical Center before joining the River Grove team in 2019. Sandi has two sons, one grandson, one granddaughter, and two Pomeranians. She enjoys golf, gardening, and organizing spaces, but mostly spending time with family.