Information

Director & Language Arts Instructor

jane.davin@academic-arts.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 a 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 suppertime opportunities with close friends and family.

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!

Information

Math Instructor

andrew.ng@academic-arts.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.

Information

Social Studies Advisor and Jr. High Advisor

nick.ryan@academic-arts.org

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 November.

Information

Administrative Assistant

shoua.yang@academic-arts.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.

Information

Special Ed. Instructor

nikky.scheffler@academic-arts.org

Nikky Scheffler is excited to be the special education teacher here at AAHS. She is a graduate from Bemidji State University with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education and holds a multi-categorical license in special education in the areas of SLD and EBD. This is her 12th year as a special education teacher. Ms. Scheffler lives on a farm in rural Zumbrota with her husband and three children.

Nikky enjoys the outdoors, family time, 4-H, attending her children's sporting events and going for walks. Nikky is currently working on her Masters degree in special education from Minnesota State University, Mankato and would like to eventually obtain a license in autism.

Information

Science Instructor

jon.abu-saba@academic-arts.org

Jon is returning to Academic Arts High School after a year away in Japan with his fiance'. After serving RHCS students in '07-'08 and '08-'09, Jon is starting his third year at AAHS in West St. Paul. Jon received a bachelors degree in Biology from UW-Eau Claire and he holds a master's degree from UW-River Falls in Secondary Education.

Entering his tenth year as a public school teacher, Jon continues to evolve and explore new strategies to reach students and help all students achieve their full potential. In his free time, Jon enjoys travelling, camping, playing tennis and golf, taking in the arts (plays, museums, concerts, etc...), and spending quality time with family and friends free from cell phones, PCs, and TVs. You won't find Jon on Facebook but he'd love to sit down with you and have a face-to-face chat so that he can better understand you and all of your future hopes and aspirations.