School Board

Matheu Weidenbach, Board Chair
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I am happy to have the opportunity to serve the Beacon Academy community as a member of the board.  Representing the best interests of our students, families, and staff is an honor.  My family has been a part of the Beacon community since 2019, and my wife Angela and I have a son in second grade.  In my professional life, I have experience in various aspects of project/financial management and business operations, and I actively volunteer for several non-profit organizations.  In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, traveling, and being outside.

We joined Beacon because we were drawn to Beacon's focus on community and a rigorous, character-based curriculum, and have been excited to see the growth our son has experienced within this caring and thoughtful educational framework.  I firmly believe in taking a student-first approach that balances the needs of the broader community in order to drive the best outcomes for our kids.  I look forward to contributing to both maintaining and building upon the foundational principles that make Beacon so great.         

Parent seat, term expires June 2024

Melanie Spall, Vice Chair
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I have been involved with Beacon Academy for over 15 years. This has been as a middle-school teacher, parent, and board member. As your Vice-Chairperson, my mission is to ensure we make smart financial decisions that benefit our students and teachers alike. 

I am an advocate for equity. This encompasses various aspects, from closing the achievement gap to promoting cultural competence in our school. I believe that by celebrating our differences and cultivating an environment of understanding and respect, we will achieve this.  

Outside of school, I spend the majority of my time reading with my three cats, cooking for my amazing family, and exploring our wonderful, local bike trails.  

Teacher seat, term expires June 2026

Aaron Price, Board Treasurer
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I am the proud parent of three wonderful children.  Two of my children currently attend Beacon Academy and one more will attend when old enough.  I have been a licensed foster parent for Hennepin County and have participated on several for-profit and non-profit boards.  I feel very privileged to serve the Beacon Academy community in this way.  My wife, Johanna, and I are strong proponents of Beacon’s approach to education, character-building, and community.

Parent seat, term expires June 2024

Elizabeth Brobeck, Board Secretary
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I began working at Beacon in the fall of the 2017-18 school year and am proud and passionate about our wonderful, supportive community. I am currently our Q-Comp Coordinator and was previously a 3rd-grade teacher. In my role as Q-Comp Coordinator, I provide instructional coaching for our teaching staff.  I also oversee our professional development opportunities and Professional Learning Communities (PLC). I am honored to be serving my second term on Beacon’s school board, currently as the Secretary. It is vital to me, as a member, to support our school’s values and missions, from Character Education to upholding our strong community of learners, staff, and families. Each decision made is focused on keeping Beacon a unique gem of a school in the Twin Cities.

Outside of my many roles at Beacon, I enjoy exploring my beautiful and always exciting South Minneapolis community, reading, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family.

 Teacher seat, term expires June 2025

Norah Antil, Board Member
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I have been with Beacon for 7 years now, teaching PE for grades k-8 and Health for grades 6-8. I came to Beacon after time spent in other schools and never fully felt the love and passion that you feel within these halls. Beacon staff is truly something special and I am humbled to serve as a representative for them and for our families to keep Beacon going in the right direction. I truly believe in the students-first approach, while still honoring the main concepts of Beacon that make this place truly one of a kind.

While not telling jokes with students, and playing games with them, I can be found coaching out in White Bear for JO volleyball, in the kitchen trying new recipes, and spending time with my husband Louis, and our two-year-old son Raiden by going to parks, hitting some trails, and occasionally with a book in my hand…occasionally.

Teacher seat, term expires June 2026

Wendy Terry, Community Member
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My family and I have been part of the Beacon community since the fall of 2006 when my eldest daughter started kindergarten here. My daughters have both graduated from Beacon, and we have two sons that we expect to have enrolled until they graduate 8th grade as well. Over the years, I have volunteered in multiple capacities, including serving as moving day logistics point person for the move to Crystal and serving twice on the PTO Board. I have almost 20 years of experience serving on non-profit boards in 3 states and currently work part-time as a member of the fund development team at a local church. In my free time, I enjoy reading, working logic puzzles, and watching sci-fi and comic book movies with my family.

Our family came to Beacon because of the rigorous curriculum and daily Spanish. We stayed through 2 moves and 3 suburbs because of the amazing community we found here. My goal is to continue to see our founding principles of rigor, character, and community grow and thrive in our new home.

Community member seat, term expires June 2025

Matthew Goodman, Board Member
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 Teacher seat, term expires June 2024

Breanna Felske, Board Member
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I am very excited for the opportunity to serve on the Beacon Academy School Board. Last year I was a fifth-grade teacher at Beacon and this year I am teaching 7th and 8th grade English.  While my time at Beacon has not been extensive, it is easy to see the special community that Beacon encapsulates. During my time here, I have been involved on the yearbook committee, finance committee, and volunteered on various occasions throughout the school year. Alongside teaching, I am very passionate about creating a classroom that is full of intrinsically motivated students. As a member, I am committed to upholding the principles and values that make Beacon a place where all students are given the opportunity to succeed. 

Outside of Beacon, I enjoy reading, traveling, running, sports, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Teacher seat, term expires June 2024

Open, Community Member

Community seat, term expires June 2024