Meet our Staff
Meet our Teachers and Staff
Jill Dougherty
Kindergarten Teacher 
I am excited to be the Kindergarten teacher at Magnuson. I joined this amazing team in 2017. I have a degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato in Elementary Education. My husband and I live in Hudson, WI with our two children, Gracie and Gabe. I enjoy taking trips on our Harley, tending to my flower gardens, sitting by my pool and living life with our small group Bible study friends. Having the opportunity to teach Kindergarten academics and partnering with parents in teaching faith foundations, is an honor and a blessing. I love sharing Bible stories and encouraging students to live like Jesus and learn from Jonah! (that was one big time-out!) I am looking forward to another great year, and I can assure you that it will be filled with lots of learning, laughing, and loving the Lord!
Erika Sawyer
First Grade Teacher
I joined Magnuson Christian School in 2018. It’s a joy to be a part of the Magnuson team! I’m a graduate of the University of Northwestern–St. Paul in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Bible. I decided I wanted to be a first grade teacher when I was in first grade, so I am thrilled to be serving this community as the Magnuson first grade teacher. When I am not teaching, you can find me illustrating books, going to coffee shops with friends, and singing my heart out at home, at church, or in choir.
Kristy Coleman
Second Grade Teacher
I am overjoyed to be part of the Magnuson School family! I received my bachelor’s degree from Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota. Minot is where I was born and raised, started my own family and started my teaching career. We moved to Lincoln, Nebraska when our first-born was 2. I had the privilege of staying at home to raise our kids until they went off to school. We have two children, Lynden and Leah, who have blessed us with so much joy and keep us running. God has always been my rock, and my solid foundation on which I stand. I look forward to sharing my love of learning and love for our Lord with the amazing children and their families at Magnuson!
Carissa Buss
Third Grade Teacher
I am thrilled to join the Magnuson community this year as the 3rd grade teacher! I graduated from Winona State University in 2014 with a major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. I also am completing my Master’s degree from the University of MN: Mankato in Reading. I am from a small town in Wisconsin, attending Catholic school growing up and now an active member at Eagle Brook Church in Woodbury. God has always been instilled in my life and I cannot wait to instill Him within the students’ daily lives as well.
Jennifer Ahrenholz
Fourth Grade Teacher
I joined the staff at Magnuson in the fall of 2013, after 12 years of teaching in Christian schools. Having grown up in Christian Education, I was blessed to be able to read and memorize scripture at school, and to apply it to my learning and understanding of the world. Jesus is my Lord, and I feel overjoyed that I can share my love of God with my students. I believe that God has created each student in His image. As a Christian educator I am given the privilege to teach, love, and nurture these precious children of God. My goal is to live and love as an example of Christ. My prayer for each student is that they will know Jesus better after spending a school year in my classroom.
Susan Johnson
Fifth Grade Teacher
I joined the Magnuson staff in 2009 and absolutely love spending my days with 5th graders! These students delight me with great creativity, excitement for learning, fun humor, and hearts open to the Lord. Engaging in interesting discussions and praying together make each day a blessing to me. Our unique 5th grade learning experiences include a three-day Audubon nature center trip in the spring. I have a B.S. in Elementary Education, a B.S. in Bible, an M.A. in Biblical Studies, and have been on five Israel study tours. I also enjoy coffee, puzzles, Bible studies, and spending time with family. My husband Ronn and I live in Andover and have three wonderful adult children.
Diana Frick
Middle School Teacher
I have been teaching middle school at Magnuson since 2016 and love sharing my faith with my students and their families. My family and I moved here from the East Coast and have totally enjoyed transitioning to life in Minnesota. My teaching background goes back to 1998 and has always been in Christian schools. My faith in Jesus is the driving force in my life, allowing me to relate every subject I teach to the principles of the Word. My family and I enjoy sports, movies and spending time outdoors around all the beautiful lakes and parks in Minnesota. Magnuson gives me the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, which is such a great blessing!
Ashley Brown
Middle School Teacher
In August of 2016, my husband and I moved to Minneapolis, MN from Columbus, OH. Prior to calling Minnesota home, I gained teaching experience in both private and public schools, and with different age groups. I am a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University where I earned my degree in Middle Childhood education with the addition of a K-12 reading endorsement. I live in Minneapolis with my husband, Justin and son, Judah. I am thankful to be a part of the MCS teaching team and community. I am excited for all the growth God has in store for the middle school in the years to come, believing the best is yet to come!
Shelley Hendershot
Music Specialist
I have a degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire majoring in bassoon with minors in clarinet and piano. My teaching career began in WA in 1994 and I returned to the Midwest in 1999. Since then, God has blessed me with a husband, boy-girl twins and a beautiful home in Brooklyn Park. Much of my career has been spent teaching in public schools, but I have been blessed to work in Christian Schools in recent years. I also serve as organist at Redeemer Lutheran in Maple Grove. It is such a joy to share my faith and train young musicians to enhance worship into the future.
Logan Radle
Physical Education Specialist
I was called to Magnuson in 2018. The previous three years were spent teaching and coaching at Benilde St-Margaret’s as a Health and Physical Education Teacher. The faith based curriculum and Christian community led me towards this phenomenal school. My wife and I moved to White Bear Lake in 2016 and feel so blessed to call this lovely city our home. I have always had a passion for living and teaching how to live a healthy and active life. It is my privilege and honor to serve the Magnuson community. During free time, I enjoy hiking in the outdoors, running with my dog, Oakley, and spending time with family.
Leslie Arroyo Garcia
Spanish
Joli Kohnen
Art Specialist
I joined the Magnuson family in 2017. Art has always been a passion of mine and I love seeing children light up when they experience a new way of creating art. Because God is the master creator, I believe we are honoring God when we use our creativity. I am blessed to be used by God to love and serve Him by helping children discover art and use their imagination. My husband Jon is also an educator and we have three beautiful children Shaley, Drayton and Kaia. I earned my masters in Education at the University of St. Thomas. I am passionate about allowing children to experience art in a way that gives them freedom to explore, be creative and learn to love art. I look forward to exploring, creating and having fun with the students!
Roslyn Deitz
Kindergarten Assistant & Extended Day Staff – Morning
I joined the Magnuson Christian School family in 2005. It has been a blessing working with the teachers, students, and families at Magnuson Christian school. Being part of a faith-based community has been an amazing experience. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, and antique shopping. Doug and I have been married for 38 years and we have two daughters, Jackie and Becca. We also own a very mischievous Bichon Frisé called Snickers. I am so thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to work at Magnuson Christian school.
Kathy Schneider
First Grade Assistant
Tiffany Lemke
Administrative Assistant & Health Aid
It is such an amazing blessing to support families as they seek to make Christ the center of their lives. It is a privilege to work at Magnuson to support children, parents and staff as we collectively seek to serve the Lord and teach the next generation about him. Becoming a believer as an adult has taught me the truth of my life verse of Isaiah 43:1 (ESV) “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!” It is my greatest desire to show and teach children how deeply our Heavenly Father and Christ loves each and every one of us.
Karen Siedschlag
Teacher Assistant & Extended Day Staff
I had the privilege of joining the Magnuson family in 2006. I love working with children and families! The only thing that I love more is sharing my Christian Faith with them. I love seeing how God’s teaching work in the lives of our students! My experience includes working as a TA and EA in the St. Paul School District for 9 1/2 years. I was involved with the Head Start program for 3 years. I currently work as co-coordinator of the Community Of Grace nursery, so I get to work with the Littles too! The Lord has blessed me with 4 amazing children. I have 2 cats, a dwarf hamster, a snake, a bearded dragon and a fish. Needless to say I am always busy, happily!
Jen Schloe
Food Service
I started as lunch lady in September 2017. My family has been involved with MCS since 2008, when our oldest started Kindergarten. Magnuson has been such a blessing for both of our girls. Patty graduated from 8th grade at MCS in 2018 and Kate is in middle school here. My husband and I got married in 1999 in the Church in which I grew up. My faith is important to me because I know He doesn’t give me more than I can handle. It keeps me grounded. My family and I enjoy record shopping, spending time together and being silly. In my spare time I like to crochet and dabble in adult coloring books.
Kerri Anderson
Accounting
I joined the Magnuson Staff in 2018. Prior to that, I was an MCS parent for one year. We are grateful for the amazing experience and education my daughter has received at MCS. In addition, we love that she is learning more about God and growing in her faith. I have a business degree from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Prior to staying home with our oldest, I worked for 15 years in a variety of finance related positions. I am excited to use my skill sets to support the work God is doing at Magnuson! Outside of work, I enjoy reading, running, being active, volunteering with kids at our church, and spending time with my husband and our two kiddos. And I love coffee!
Rachel Pickerign
Marketing Director
I became involved with marketing at Magnuson in 2014 because I am passionate about the way a Christian Education can shape the lives of children. My family and I lived in Atlanta for 14 years where my 4 children attended a school just like Magnuson and I personally experienced the positive results of an environment filled with Faith, Family and an Excellent Education. I received my B.A. in Communications from Wheaton College and my M.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Minnesota. I worked at a television station for 7 years before taking a break to stay home with my children. I enjoy photography, cheering on my girls in tennis, gymnastics and theater, and attending every Golden Gopher Football game, where my son is #19!
Come see us for yourself.
Hello, we’d love to meet you! The best way to get to know us is through a personal visit. We’d love to show you around and introduce you to our staff.
School Address
4000 Linden Street
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Phone
(651) 478-7317