Sarah Pasela – Biology, AP Biology, Honors Capstone, and Human Body Systems

Ms. Pasela loves the people at Saint John’s Prep. For her, the best part of teaching at SJP is the close-knit community of students, fellow teachers, staff, and families. Her passion for biology shines through in her teaching. She believes that seeing each student as an individual is key, whether they pursue science in the future or not. Ms. Pasela’s love for hands-on learning is evident in her classroom, where lab activities foster curiosity and exploration. She is also committed to incorporating real-world issues, like immunology, to make lessons relevant and engaging. Her connection with students goes beyond the curriculum; she deeply values the opportunity to know each student as a whole person, not just as a learner, but as an individual.

“Because we are such a small school, I get to know my students deeply. I can tell when they are having a bad day or when they haven’t gotten enough sleep. After teaching in a much larger system, I am so grateful for the class sizes I have here. Students have taught me that we each have our own unique light inside of us.  My job, and it is the best job in the world, is to help young people figure out what that light is. It isn’t always what your friends are doing or what your parents expect. It is wonderfully exciting to help young people find that spark.”

Sean Jacobson – Middle and Upper School Band, Middle School Choir, and Jazz Ensemble

Now in his second year at SJP, Mr. Jacobson has spent a total of 11 years teaching music. The students’ inquisitive and creative spirit, combined with supportive colleagues, makes teaching at Prep feel special to him. Mr. Jacobson is also a performer himself, and he believes staying active as a musician not only hones his craft but also provides relatable insights to share with his students.

He’s particularly moved by the transformation he witnesses in students over the years, from beginners to confident musicians. He finds it rewarding to watch students progress, mastering instruments and discovering their own musical voices. Mr. Jacobson also values Prep’s A2E program, as it challenges students to think critically and present their creative projects with maturity.

“As a relative newcomer to Prep, one of the things that struck me as unique to Prep is the maturity and rigor that we expect of our students. Students aren’t “just” students in our curriculum—they’re scholars, researchers, artists, and creators. This was particularly evident to me at the first A2E Scholarship Day last May. Listening to students’ expert presentations on topics and questions they selected and researched individually; watching them give expressive, artistically mature musical performances; seeing their original artwork displayed and reading about their reflective thought and process behind that work all made the day feel truly inspiring, and demonstrated how special what we do here is. As faculty, we place high-level expectations on our students that challenge them to think, do, and be beyond what most middle- and high-school students are called to, and time and time again, they rise to the occasion.”

Kris Fremo – Upper School Visual Arts

With 27 years of experience at SJP, Mrs. Fremo is passionate about guiding students through the creative process. She fosters a classroom environment filled with open dialogue and reflection, allowing students to express their thoughts and motivations behind their art. Mrs. Fremo’s teaching philosophy centers around skill mastery as a pathway to creativity. She encourages personalization in projects, helping students develop unique artistic voices. One memorable moment in her career is guiding students through the challenge of centering clay on a pottery wheel. The joy of mastering this physical skill brings pride and fulfillment to students, and Kris treasures witnessing these moments of accomplishment.

“Students have taught me that there is more than one way to solve a problem. Sometimes students respond to tasks in ways I would never have imagined. All of the different approaches over the years have helped me expand how I think about successful outcomes. There is a wild beauty in the many and varied solutions that students generate in approaching a visual task.  Our students inspire me every day, and I think they teach me as much as I teach them.”

Matt Young – Algebra 2 and AP Calculus

In his fourth year at Prep, with a total of 13 years of teaching experience, Mr. Young finds the SJP community’s dedication to student growth truly inspiring. An avid woodworker, Mr. Young applies lessons from his craft—patience, attention to detail, and learning from mistakes—to his teaching style. Mr. Young values seeing students grow academically and personally throughout their time at Prep. He appreciates the way the math department encourages not just academic success but also persistence and dedication. One memorable experience involved helping a student realize that their hard work, rather than just the final grade, was the most valuable part of the learning process.

“The most rewarding part of working with students at Prep is seeing how much they grow. In the math department, we are lucky because we typically get to teach students multiple times throughout their time at Prep. I love how this allows me to get to know students really well and to see how they grow over the years. I once worked with a student who had their heart set on getting a specific grade. This student was the hardest-working student I have ever worked with, and yet they were so focused on the end result (the grade) that they did not see the value and impressive nature of how much effort they were putting toward understanding the content. For a time, whether or not this student would receive the grade they wanted was up in the air, and eventually the student recognized that it was the amount of growth they had created, and not the end result, that was the most important. This recognition was HUGE for this student, and they did end up receiving the grade they had hoped for. How about that?!”

Saint John’s Prep: Growing & Going Beyond

At Saint John’s Prep, the Fine Arts, Science, and Math departments are more than academic disciplines—they are interconnected pathways that encourage exploration, creativity, and personal discovery. Our liberal arts approach ensures that students don’t just learn facts or formulas; they learn how to think critically, draw connections between subjects, and approach problems with curiosity and confidence. Whether performing music, creating visual art, investigating scientific questions, or tackling complex math concepts, students at Prep are empowered to explore the world through multiple lenses and develop a well-rounded understanding of themselves and their studies.

In our classrooms, students are more than just learners—they are innovators, creators, and deep thinkers shaped by an education that values both depth and breadth. We are proud to offer an environment where young people are encouraged to be their best selves, guided by teachers who are dedicated to making a positive impact every day. The diverse perspectives and skills our teachers bring to their roles make Saint John’s Prep a truly exceptional place to learn and grow. .

We would love for you to see our teachers in action! Schedule a tour below and check out before coming for a campus visit.

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Kelly Fitch – English

Ms. Fitch has been teaching at Saint John’s Prep for an impressive 18 years. She teaches American Literature for 10th graders, AP English for 12th graders, and the Honors Capstone course for seniors. One memorable teaching moment for Ms. Fitch was guiding her 10th graders through memoir writing, where several students, even those who didn’t consider themselves writers, produced beautiful and thoughtful pieces. To keep students engaged, Ms. Fitch treats them like family, building connections through honesty, humor, and genuine conversations. Her approach to teaching is shaped by her experiences as a parent of three children, which helps her understand the diverse ways students learn. Ms. Fitch’s favorite part of teaching at Prep is watching her community of learners grow throughout the school year. She finds joy in the personal connections she builds through small class sizes and one-on-one instruction.

“Creating a classroom atmosphere where students feel known, loved, and cared for is possible because my class sizes are small. I am able to really get to know each student. It starts with visiting with them. That’s it—visiting. I do this quite a bit, whether it’s before the bell rings or when students are engaged in small group work. There’s also the “Dear Ms. Fitch” letters. ?”

kami roth – spanish and global studies coordinator

Ms. Roth is in her first year at Saint John’s Prep but brings 12 years of teaching experience to the community. As the Director of Global Studies and Spanish teacher, she is passionate about fostering cultural awareness and creating hands-on learning experiences. Ms. Roth’s own travel experiences enrich her teaching, allowing her to make lessons relevant and engaging for her students. One of the unique aspects Ms. Roth highlights about the Prep curriculum is the opportunity for students to immerse themselves in cultural experiences, such as language exchanges and global studies projects.

“The best part about teaching and working at SJP is that the students are so incredibly kind and caring. At Prep, we get to do some really cool things that aren’t available at other schools, like provide multiple exchange opportunities, have student travel options, and go on amazing educational field trips. For example, local students love being able to interact with international students who attend our school and who speak the language they are studying here at Prep. There are so many opportunities for our students to become more culturally aware and genuinely practice what they are learning in the classroom out in the real world.”

RObert Erickson – English

With 34 years at Saint John’s Prep and 38 years of teaching experience overall, Mr. Erickson is a cornerstone of the English department. His teaching is enriched by his love of British literature and film, which he weaves into his classes, including the school’s first film studies course. Mr. Erickson values the strong sense of community at Prep, supported by caring administrators, dedicated staff, and enthusiastic students. Mr. Erickson particularly enjoys the interactive learning experience of his English 9 class performing the play Twelve Angry Men each spring. Through these immersive activities, students gain a deeper understanding of literary themes and group dynamics.

“I look out of my classroom window and can see a groomed walking trail through beautiful woods. I also see a pristine lake, which has a historic chapel on the opposite shoreline. I can walk out of my classroom and in a few minutes be in the Learning Commons at Alcuin or the coffee shop. If I’m hungry, I can eat at the Refectory on campus, which has a vast buffet, or go to the burrito bar at Sexton Commons. How many schools have woods, water, trails, and a wonderful university at their doorstep? I can walk the halls of our school and encounter citizens from over a dozen countries. Again, what school has that? These are elements you can rarely find anywhere in the world and certainly nowhere else in Minnesota.”

Yahui Shi – chinese

Known affectionately as “Shi Laoshi” by her students, Ms. Shi has been teaching Chinese at Prep since 2021. Her love for travel and global experiences shapes her approach to language instruction. Ms. Shi tailors her teaching to meet each student’s needs, from foundational language skills for beginners to advanced conversational practice. She believes that connecting language learning with real-life experiences helps students retain knowledge and stay motivated. Ms. Shi encourages her students to become global citizens and critical thinkers through immersion.

“My students have taught me the importance of being creative in my teaching. They inspire me to find new and engaging ways to make learning Chinese fun, whether through music, games, or hands-on activities. I incorporate outdoor and experiential learning by taking students on field trips to places like the Chinese and American Friendship Garden, where they can experience Chinese culture firsthand. After the visit, we enjoy authentic Chinese food, allowing students to connect language learning with real-life experiences.”

Aspire to Excellence (A2E) Curriculum: A Unique Learning Experience

What makes Saint John’s Prep truly stand out is the A2E academic program. It allows students to dive deeply into subjects they are passionate about while maintaining a well-rounded liberal arts education. From rigorous research projects to hands-on cultural explorations, the program fosters critical thinking, creativity, and personal growth.

Our teachers at Saint John’s Prep go above and beyond to make learning meaningful, relevant, and engaging. Their dedication and passion create a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to grow both academically and personally. We are grateful to have such talented educators guiding the next generation of leaders. .

Interested in learning more about to student-focused learning?

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The thought of sending your child to a Catholic school, when your family practices another faith, might be scary. You might also have some questions about what the experience would look like for your child.

With the help of our current families, we’ve pulled together a list of frequently asked questions that you may have as a non-Catholic family considering Saint John’s Prep.

Do you still have questions? Are you ready to learn more? Fill out the form below to schedule a visit with the ������ Team!

Request a Tour

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These qualities of an effective leader are not innate, but rather, skills that are honed in over time. And the foundation of all of these skills is curiosity.

What Is Curiosity?

Curiosity is an eagerness to explore, discover, and gain a better understanding of the world around us and the people in it. Fortunately, it’s a quality that children have in abundance! 

And while it’s tempting to believe that our natural curiosity decreases as we age, that’s actually not the case. As we move into adulthood, we have as much, , curiosity — just about different things. 

Why Is Curiosity Important to Learning and Leadership?

Curiosity inspires us to think outside of our own experiences and drives us to seek explanations for things that are confusing or beyond our understanding. It rewards us for being open to new ideas and gathering different perspectives. It helps us imagine new ways to solve problems, and it helps us see things not just as they are but how they could be. 

As educators, we get to see the correlation between curiosity and learning every day we’re in the classroom! When our students are driven to ask questions, getting answers to those questions is a rewarding experience that we hope leads to a lifelong love of learning. 

Open-mindedness, problem-solving, perspective, and vision…these are also important leadership qualities! And educators are not the only ones who see a direct parallel between curiosity and leadership. In fact, Forbes Magazine recently published an article about how curiosity is now viewed as a by thought leaders across various industries. 

Why Curiosity Appears To Fade as Children Age

Humans are naturally curious, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be stifled. Some schools may unintentionally do this by not allowing students to explore topics that interest them or putting a singular focus on grades or test scores. Encouraging conformity and discouraging challenging conversations are also common at many K-12 schools — public and private. 

Children are very perceptive. If they are punished for asking questions and rewarded for simply repeating answers that have been given to them — and there’s little room to explore different viewpoints or explore what makes them unique — they might not express as much curiosity in the classroom or at home. But curiosity can always be encouraged if it’s cultivated and given room to grow. 

At Prep, our teachers welcome tough questions! We believe it’s one of the biggest reasons why our students are so engaged in what they’re learning that they can’t wait to discuss it further with their peers or with their families at the end of the day. 

How To Develop Leadership Skills and Encourage Curiosity

It’s never too late to reignite a spark of curiosity. In fact, many of the following tips are just as helpful for parents as they are for students! 

Model Curiosity

You and your child may have different hobbies and interests, but talking about what makes you curious and what you enjoy learning about is a great way to model curiosity. Share what makes you curious and the topics you’re interested in, and ask open-ended questions, like “How would you solve that problem?” or, “What would you do if…?” 

As a parent, you will always be your child’s . So even if your child’s school isn’t able to provide all of the , you can still make your home a safe place to explore different cultural traditions and have open conversations about religion, philosophy, and opposing world views.

Take Advantage of Local Resources

Science museums and cultural festivals provide amazing opportunities for children to explore and get more immersive, hands-on experiences. If you have a local arts scene, take them to an art show or a play! Unlike TV or movies, your child can take a more active role as an audience member and choose which characters to focus on at any given moment.  

Reading books is a great way for children to imagine themselves in another person’s shoes and be exposed to cultures and ideas that open up entirely new worlds of questions. Many local libraries also offer programs that cater to a variety of interests, like arts and crafts, STEM topics, music, storytelling, cultural heritage, wellness, and more. 

Get Outdoors

It’s almost impossible to quantify when it comes to the development of young minds. At Prep, we are truly fortunate for our shared with Saint John’s University. Depending on the time of year, you may find our teachers holding their classes outside or students reading in the woods. Nature provides unlimited opportunities for discovery, inspiration, and exploration. So whether your child prefers nature walks or spending time in a local park, there are endless ways to encourage their curiosity — right outside your door.

Support Your Child’s Interests

Your child may express excitement about a certain topic only to lose interest after a short time. That’s okay! However, we understand that when it comes to , the , other , and special interest clubs, parents also want their children to stick with an activity that allows them to develop some of their unique gifts. 

Most families don’t have unlimited time and resources, but we also believe it’s important to try new things at every age. We will often encourage our students to join an athletic team or try a new activity because it gets students out of their comfort zone. If they discover a new talent, all the better! If your child tends to , encouraging them to participate in activities they aren’t immediately good at can help them build resilience and focus on incremental improvement.

Don’t Focus Solely on Achievement

There are many inspiring quotes about learning from mistakes, but we love this quote from Irish writer James Joyce: “Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” Watching your child make a mistake — even a minor one — can be hard for parents. But as long as that mistake won’t jeopardize their long-term health or their ability to find a rewarding career, it will help them learn. Additionally, allowing your child to make mistakes also shows them that you’re confident in their abilities to correct them. 

That’s important because leaders who are too afraid to make mistakes aren’t effective leaders. Not surprisingly, James Joyce isn’t the only successful writer, artist, athlete, or business leader to credit their mistakes for their eventual success. Former CEO of IBM Thomas J. Watson said, “You can be discouraged by failure, or you can learn from it, so go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because that’s where you will find success.”

Why Are Leadership Skills Important?

While we believe in the importance of developing the entire person, as a prep school, we are ultimately tasked with helping our students succeed in the next phase of their educational journey. For our students, that’s typically attending a college or university. 100% of our students who apply are accepted to a college or university!

Leadership skills are , and not because every child is destined to become an entrepreneur or a CEO. College admission professionals look for leadership experience because it suggests that a student is likely to be confident in their abilities and possess communication and collaboration skills needed to be successful. It also suggests that a student has developed a greater understanding of some of their and has found ways to overcome them. 

Leadership experience, when paired with strong test scores and academic performance, quickly paints a picture of a student who’s highly likely to succeed at some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the world.

Our Commitment to Developing Leadership Skills

As an arts and sciences world school in the Catholic Benedictine tradition, call us to be respectful and inclusive inside and outside the classroom, and they guide everything we do. However, you don’t have to be a person of faith to attend our school. In fact, the majority of our students don’t identify as Catholic. Our teachers are free to discuss different faiths and philosophies and other challenging topics, and if you were to walk our halls, you might be surprised at the level of creativity and self-expression you’d find. 

While is something we’re known for, we believe one reason you’ll frequently find our former students at is that we offer a number of ways that students can develop and demonstrate their leadership skills. 

Our students are encouraged to form their own special interest clubs — with the help and mentorship of our staff. In the past, these clubs have focused on anything from tea appreciation to classical music, and their longevity or “success” isn’t nearly as important to us as the experience our students receive in creating, leading, and participating in them. Our campus also houses the new Benedictine Leadership Center, which provides resources, space, and additional support to students who want to, for example, organize a food drive to support the local community. 

Ultimately, parents are going to be the single biggest influences in their children’s lives. But if you’re interested in the opportunities a prep school can provide, we encourage you to . You also might find one of our recent blogs especially helpful. 

Click the link below to access it! 

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Boarding schools aren’t the right fit for every child or every family, but they offer a few unique advantages that make them attractive to families around the world. Unfortunately, there are a few common misconceptions about boarding schools that can get in the way, so we’d love to take the opportunity to address some of the most common myths.

Top 5 Boarding School FAQs

Every boarding school is different, and it’s understandable that many families have assumptions about them based on how they’re depicted in films and television. If any of these questions are in the back of your mind, you’re not alone!

1. Aren’t Boarding Schools for Kids Who Get Into Trouble?

There are some boarding schools in the US that serve this purpose. However, that’s not why we’re here! Our boarding school students often have more opportunities to take part in more activities, make lasting friendships, and gain independent living skills. And while our 7-day boarding students join us from many different parts of the world, we also offer 5-day boarding opportunities for families in Greater Minnesota. 

2. Are Boarding Schools Overly Strict?

As a prep school, we do expect a lot from our students in terms of their academic performance and their conduct. We are guided by our , both inside and outside of the classroom. Bullying is not tolerated, nor is behavior that persistently disrupts the learning experience of other students. Our students are also given a great deal of freedom in how they spend their time and the path they’d like their education to take. Our Dean of Student Life and Director of Residential Life, Manon Kuzara, sums up our approach to boarding like this:

“Our vision within the SJP Residential Life program is to foster an environment that allows students to grow into their best selves, learn to live in community peacefully, and prepare for life after high school. This environment incorporates logical procedures and expectations that have a clear ‘why’ that can be understood by students. The life skills taught in the dorm setting are skills that our students will take into their lives after SJP. We think of it as an extension of the classroom — a place where students can learn and grow. It is a safe place to make mistakes and be guided by the caring adults who work and live in the dorms.”

3. Is it Difficult To Maintain Family Relationships?

It’s natural to worry that your child will occasionally miss living at home, especially at first. But we find that family connections often grow stronger when teenagers are given a bit more independence within a safe and nurturing environment. 

That may sound counterintuitive, but it’s common for parents of children in upper school to have more conflicts around making sure homework is completed, getting to school on time, and maintaining focus. Our boarding school parents are allowed to let go of the “enforcer” role and, instead, they can start to shift some of those responsibilities to our team of qualified adult boarding staff, counselors, and educators. Parents can focus more of their time and attention on their child, and spend less time worrying about their child’s homework.

In fact, one Prep parent recently said, “I noticed my child appreciating more, and not taking our relationship for granted.”

4. Do Students Have To Wear Uniforms?

Some boarding schools require uniforms. We don’t at Saint John’s Prep, and many first-time are surprised to see the variety of ways our students feel comfortable to express themselves.

We feel it’s especially important during this transitional time to let our students explore who they are as people and what they’re passionate about. We’re delighted to see them start to make their own choices about how they present themselves to the world!

5. Are Boarding Schools Only for Wealthy Families?

Some boarding schools can be quite expensive, and others are completely free. At Saint John’s Prep, we are committed to providing a quality education that to all qualified students and their families. No Prep family pays the full cost of their student’s education, but we do believe that all of our families should join us in investing in it.

We frequently hear from Prep families that we’ve hit the right balance. “The opportunities boarding school has provided makes everything worthwhile,” one Prep parent recently commented. “We were pleasantly surprised at the variable tuition that SJP offers, and our award far exceeded our expectations.”

What Is Boarding School Like?

No two boarding schools will feel or look the same. Our boarding school students live in — a newly renovated facility that features a community lounge, indoor recreational space, study areas, flat-screen TVs and computers, washers and dryers, and multiple areas to prepare food. Full-time adult staff are responsible for maintaining a safe, nurturing environment while helping students gain independent living skills. 

Boarding school at Prep is anything but boring! During breaks in our academic calendar, our boarding students can remain at Saint Michael Hall, connect with a host family, or travel. We also offer a variety of trips throughout the year, including sporting events, concerts, skiing, camping, ethnic restaurants, professional theatre, and shopping.

The Benefits of Boarding School

Living primarily on campus throughout the school year offers a few unique benefits that make it a very attractive option for our local and international families.

Students Can Participate in More Activities

It’s often easier for our students to when they’re already here, and their schedules don’t put additional strain on busy families. We always encourage our students to try new things and participate in co-curricular activities — including , , and much more — regardless of where their natural abilities lie, and consider it an important component of . 

While we build in additional time during for some of these activities to take place, many will take place during evenings and weekends. 

It’s Easier To Gain Independent Living Skills

Our boarding students always have access to adult guidance and mentorship while they’re on our campus, while they start practicing the skills they will need to live independently, like managing their time, preparing meals, and keeping up with laundry and other chores. 

Our resident staff are highly experienced with young people and understand how to gently guide them when needed while allowing them to discover strategies that work best for them.

Boarding Students Experience a Smoother Transition TO COLLEGE

In many ways, our school offers a more natural way for our students — boarding and day — to start experiencing what life at college will be like. Our students can take college-level courses and use many facilities at our partner institutions — the . Not surprisingly, our alumni frequently tell us that they felt than their peers in a few key areas, like navigating a larger campus, feeling comfortable talking with their professors and asking for help, and handling more challenging coursework. 

Our boarding school students, however, have also already experienced living with a roommate. When they ultimately go on to college, it isn’t their first time living away from home or living with people . They also already understand what they need to do to manage their time, so they can get off to a great start, which is especially helpful for those students interested in graduate or medical school.

Preparing Students for Success in College and Beyond

Our are part of the reason that our students who apply have However, we believe that the biggest reason at some of the most prestigious universities and colleges around the world is that they have they need to be successful, including resilience, emotional maturity, and strong relationship skills. Our also work with each student and their family to identify schools that will be a great fit, so students are more engaged in the application process.

By the time they’re ready to take their next steps, they know themselves very well and understand how their choice of major and school will ultimately affect their ability to pursue meaningful and rewarding careers. 

At Prep, it is our greatest honor to watch our students grow into the leaders, thinkers, artists, and innovators they were born to be. And if our school proves to be a good fit, we would be honored to help your child do the same. If you’re interested in learning more about our boarding opportunities, click the button below!

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