Sharon Owens
Special Education Director

I started teaching in 1968 in Richfield Public Schools.  Since then, I was the special education director for Richfield and Eden Prairie Public Schools;  the middle school principal in Merrill, Wisconsin;  a special education teacher and instructor at the University of Phoenix on Maui.

I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with a minor in art from St. Cloud State University;  my doctorate is from the University of Minnesota.

Special education is such an exciting field because each child is unique and our job is to find the methods and materials that work for that individual child.  It is never boring! In my spare time, I paint, take care of my mother, and travel.

Zac Holm
Special Education Teacher

Hi, I am Zac Holm, I am a Special Education teacher at Paideia. I also work as the Gifted and Talented coordinator, a new position at Paideia this year.  I thoroughly enjoy helping students reach their fullest potential and looking at new ways to solve problems students may have in their learning. I came to Paideia because I enjoyed the idea of a year-round school where the students wear uniforms.  I previously taught as a preschool teacher with St. Paul Public Schools. 

I have worked closely with students, who have varying disabilities, for three years. I have a B.A. in elementary education with a minor in pre-primary education as well as a second major in Bible knowledge. I am currently attending school to receive my masters in Special Education, EBD and LD. I am married and we have one beautiful daughter. I love my family!

Lynda Cavanaugh
Special Education Teacher

Joelle Buth
Special Education Teacher

Becky Audette
Special Education Assistant

Katie Daugherty
Special Education Assistant

My name is Katie and this is my first year at Paideia Academy.  I recently vacated a position as a Director at Huntington Learning Center.  After four years there, I was eager to get back into the classroom and put into practice what I studied in college. I still work at Huntington as a tutor in the evenings. I graduated from Winona State University in 2004 with an education degree.  I am currently attending Saint Mary's University to get my Masters as a K-12 Reading Specialist.  In my spare time I enjoy reading, walking, golfing, and spending time with my family.

Hi! My name is Susan Edmonson.  I am very excited to be a part of Paideia this year.  I feel lucky to be a part of such a wonderful special education team.  My job as an assistant has a
lot of variety and I get to work with the upper and lower academy.  I teach some small groups and am also in the classroom helping students learn.

I graduated from Mankato State University in 2004 with a degree in elementary education and middle school social studies.  I worked as a preschool teacher, nanny, and substitute teacher before I started at Paideia.

Presently, I live in Farmington with my husband, Jeff and eight month old son, Logan.  When I have free time, I love going on walks with my family and dogs, watching “The Office”, and going shopping.  I am excited for this year and seeing the students’ progress and grow.

Lisa Rolle
Special Education Assistant

Nicole Rudolph
Special Education Assistant

Sheri Simpson
Special Education Assistant