The Staff
Click a link to read about that staff member- Jane Davin (Director & Language Arts Instructor)
- Andrew Ng (Math Instructor)
- Nick Ryan (Social Studies Advisor and Jr. High Advisor)
- Shoua Yang (Administrative Assistant)
- Ruth Johnsen (Special Ed. Instructor)
- Eileen Devine (Science Instructor)
Jane Davin
- Information
- Director & Language Arts Instructor
- jdavin@riverheightscharter.org
Jane is beginning her fourth year as Director of Academic Arts High School in 2010. Jane holds a Master of Liberal Studies in Interdisciplinary Teaching from the U of M, Twin Cities, and her bachelor's degree in vocal music education from the U of M in Duluth, MN. Prior to her post as Director of Academic Arts, Jane taught classroom Language Arts, Communications, Music and Art History for 14 years in private and public schools in the Apple Valley and Burnsville area. Her experience in and commitment to teaching, curriculum development, staff advocacy, and team-building skills fit well into her leadership role at Academic Arts.
Aligned with education, Jane also enjoys her career in professional writing. She is the author of four SRA books from MacGraw-Hill: The Father of Television, Migrating Animals Great and Small, an adaptation of Swiss Family Robinson, and Earth Belongs To You. She loves bike riding, writing stories,...and creativity-rich supper-time cook-offs with her three children, Sebastian (25), Seth (20), and Gracey (18).
Ms. Davin hopes that each new and returning student is ready to roll up their sleeves and be prepared for a great and adventurous year ahead at Academic Arts!
Andrew Ng
- Information
- Math Instructor
- ljelle@riverheightscharter.org
Andrew Ng is the mathematics advisor at AAHS. He is a graduate of Winona State University with a B.A. in Mathematics and a B.S. in Secondary Education - Mathematics. He is excited and anticipating a great first year at AAHS. His hope is to not only have hard work and dedication, but to have a whole bunch of fun as well.
Classes will range from Pre-algebra through Algebra 2, with Geometry as well. As students earn their required targets, their coursework will help to prepare them for state standardized testing. We will incorporate real life scenarios and situations throughout our lessons and be as creative as we can be when approaching projects.
Nick Ryan
- Information
- Social Studies Advisor and Jr. High Advisor
- nryan99@gmail.com
Nick is excited to begin his first year at Academic Arts. He has three years of experience learning and teaching at other project-based schools. He has a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota, where he also studied archaeology, Chinese, history, economics, and a host of other topics he can't wait to explore more at AAHS.
Nick is a native of Apple Valley, and graduated from the 'Zoo School' in 1997. He currently resides in Shakopee with his wife, Kerrie, his dog Axel, and is expecting to add two yet-to-be-named children to the family sometime in early Novmeber.
Shoua Yang
- Information
- Administrative Assistant
- syang@riverheightscharter.org
You will be greeted by Shoua as you enter the doors at Academic Arts High School. She started working at Academic Arts in 2005. She works on MARSS reports, and is the school's Test Coordinator for all statewide and district assessments.
Shoua was born and raised in St. Paul. She is married and has one Child. You can find Shoua on the weekends at the St. Paul Farmers' Market where her family sells organic vegetables.
Ruth Johnsen
- Information
- Special Ed. Instructor
- rjohnsen@riverheightscharter.org
Ruth Johnsen is pleased to return to Academic Arts High School for her third year as the Special Education Advisor. She received her teaching license and master's degree in Special Education from Bethel University. At Academic Arts, Ms. Johnsen strives to serve students with a variety of disabilities by identifying their unique strengths and meeting their individual needs. Her goal as a teacher is to encourage and empower students to achieve their potential. In the past year at Academic Arts, Ms. Johnsen has partnered with students, parents and other staff resulting in several success stories and she looks forward to many more in the upcoming school year.
A native to Minnesota, Ms. Johnsen enjoys the beauty of nature, whether hiking in a state park, relaxing at the beach, or sitting around a campfire. Also, she takes time on a daily basis to relax with exercise, music, friends and family. She is "mom" to 2 wonderful children, Elena and Joe, both currently college students. Ms. Johnsen is committed to professional development and personal growth by maintaining a strong sense of faith, positive attitude, and sense of humor.
Eileen Devine
- Information
- Science Instructor
- edevine@riverheightscharter.org
This is Eileen Devine's first year at Academic Arts. After her graduation from Augsburg College with a Life Science and Chemistry Teaching Degree, she taught middle school life and earth science in Minneapolis. She then moved on to Hopkins High School where she taught biology and environmental science.
Ms. Devine holds a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and is currently working on adding a Reading Licensure through the University of Minnesota to her credentials. She is excited to incorporate reading strategies into her science curriculum for the students at Academic Arts.
Ms. Devine enjoys spending time with her family, which includes two dogs and two mini horses. She also loves teaching and getting to know the Academic Arts students.