Meet the Elementary Mosaic StaffEight highly experienced and credentialed teachers staff the Mosaic program at the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade levels. Here is background information on the Mosaic staff:

•    Zong Heng teaches grade three at Prairie View. She has a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota and is currently working toward her Gifted and Talented certificate through Hamline University. Zong has been teaching elementary students for over 16 years in grades 3, 4, and 5 in Eden Prairie. She has served as a key member on her school site Equity team and in other leadership capacities.  Zong is motivated by high expectation of herself and her students and is willing to take risks, try new and innovative ideas and collaborate with her peers to ensure the success of all her students.

•    Karen Oakes teaches grade four at Prairie View. She has a Master’s degree in education of the gifted and talented from the University of St. Thomas. Karen was an elementary gifted and talented specialist at Prairie View, and has worked in the district for over 22 years. Karen has served in many leadership roles in the district including Q-Comp Coach/Observer and NUA instructional coach. She has been actively involved in the planning and presenting of a wide variety of professional development opportunities promoting best practices for gifted learners, literacy instruction and strategies for differentiation.

•    Nate Gabel teaches grade five at Prairie View. He has a Master’s degree in education from Hamline University and earned his gifted and talented certificate program at Saint Mary’s University. Nate has worked in the district for over 15 years as an elementary teacher and was most recently the Classrooms of the Future coach at Prairie View. He has a strong background in the integration of technology into instructional practices. Nate is a strong believer in using dynamic teaching as a means of creating and nurturing lifelong learners.

•    Leslie Lohan teaches grade six at Prairie View. She earned her gifted and talented certificate from St. Mary’s University and her degree in education from the University of St. Catherine. Leslie interacts with her students by developing accelerated, inquiry based learning that provides her students advanced academic learning opportunities. Leslie has taught at Prairie View in various grades over the past years before joining the Mosaic team. She has been an equity team member, Q-comp coach and served in various leadership roles within the school.

•    Yen Nguyen teaches grade three at Eden Lake. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. Yen received her gifted and talented certification and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University. Yen has taught elementary students for 22 years. 21 of those years have been in Eden Prairie Schools in grades 2, 3, and 4. Yen has served on the math adoption committee, assisted with curriculum writing on the ELA team, and various leadership roles with the school. Yen is a strong believer in creating and fostering a respectful learning community within her classroom. She sets high expectations of herself and her students. Yen collaborates and tries innovative ideas, strives to provide an open line of communication, and uses goal setting to ensure student motivation and engagement.

•    Karen McGinley teaches grade four at Eden Lake. She attended the College of St. Catherine and received her Elementary Education Degree there, and earned her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. Karen also has her Gifted and Talented Certification from Hamline University. Karen began her years of teaching in Eden Prairie at Cedar Ridge Elementary teaching 3rd and 4th Grade, and also taught at Forest Hills teaching Gifted and Talented. Most recently, Karen has been teaching in Gifted Education Services as a Gifted Education Specialist and Young Scholars Specialist for the last five years for Edina Public Schools. She has been actively involved in Personalized Learning, and has received training in this area that has helped her shape her teaching and engage students in their learning. Karen believes in building strong relationships with students and families and meeting each student where they are at in their learning journey.

•   Megan Skogstad teaches grade five at Eden Lake. She has a gifted endorsement from the University of Cincinnati, and a Master’s degree in education from Ohio State University. She came to Eden Prairie with great experience. Megan has been a teacher for over 14 years and has taught grades 2-4 including grade 4 language arts in a classroom of gifted learners in Ohio. Previously Megan was the STEM specialist for grades K-5 at Chanhassen Elementary School. She has training in using William and Mary units for gifted learners, the online Renzulli Learning program and organized an Invention Convention for students.

•    Liz Dayton teaches grade six at Eden Lake. She has a gifted and talented certificate and her K-12 Administrative license through Hamline University. She also has a Master’s degree in Teaching & Learning through St. Mary’s University. Liz has over seventeen years of teaching experience in grades K-6 in Eden Prairie, Roseville Area Schools, Lanesboro Public Schools, and the Hurst-Euless-Bedford School District in Euless, Texas. She has also served in the roles of Q-Comp Coach/Observer, Gifted and Talented site coordinator, and Title One teacher.