Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN 

Currently Live in: Maple Grove, MN 

My Family: Phil, Sunny (3), and Scout (1) 

Personality in 1 word: Caring 

Hobbies: camping, skiing, yoga, reading, coffee dates with friends 

Fun fact: I’m a certified yoga teacher and teach at retreats in the summer!

My ECFE experiences so far: We have done several different classes including birth-12M, 1-2’s, 2-3’s, birth-5, and love the playtimes too!

Why I serve on ECPTO: I joined ECPTO in order to give back to a program that has provided so much for our family. I am grateful to have ECFE as an option in our community and truly value the classes, teachers, and other parents/children we have met along the way. I want to be an active participant in my children’s education, and believe serving on ECPTO will allow me to further understand how it all works and better advocate for my own children’s needs as well as other students in our community.

Hometown: South Florida

Currently Live in: Brooklyn Park

My Family: Ben(husband), Meyer(son) 3.5

Personality in 1 word: outgoing 

Hobbies: travel, spending time with family/friends, trash tv

Fun fact: I recently got into sourdough and love making all my own breads and baked goods 

My ECFE experiences so far: We had such a great experience in the 2-3 class ECFE class (shout out Ms Sara & Ms Candy who we LOVED) that we are currently in preschool M/W/F with Ms Annika and love it!

Why I serve on ECPTO: I wanted to be involved because we’ve had such a great experience here over the last year+ I wanted to help keep it that way for both current and future students, parents and teachers. 

Hometown: Hibbing, Minnesota

Currently Live: Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Family: Husband Sam, sons Henrik (Feb ‘21) and Kasper (Oct ‘23), and our black cat, Ramsey

Personality in 1 word: Sisu (Finnish for resilience/determination/grit)

Hobbies: supporting all the Minnesota sports teams, alpine skiing and other winter sports, traveling, reading, gaming, going to the lake, playing saxophone, dancing, crafting, and time with loved ones

Fun fact: I have been to every Minnesota Golden Gophers football home game since August 2013 with one exception, because it was the day after Kasper was born!

ECFE Experience: Sam and I both grew up going to ECFE in Robbinsdale and Hibbing school districts, respectively. We joined Osseo ECFE virtually when Henrik was a baby during the pandemic and have been active ever since, now with Kasper, too. From baby massage to nature Pre-K, ECFE has helped our family grow closer.

Why I serve on ECPTO: I’m an accountant at the University of Minnesota and enjoy bringing my professional expertise to support ECPTO families, teachers, and staff. With a Master of Education in educational equity, I’m passionate about inclusive education from the very beginning all the way to adulthood. Willow Lane and Arbor View are among the most welcoming communities I’ve known, and I’m grateful to serve alongside such a wonderful group.

Hometown: Florida

Currently Live in: Brooklyn Park, MN

My Family: My lively preschooler keeps me on my toes. She’s hilarious, full of personality, and being her mom is my greatest joy.

Personality in 1 word: Compassionate

Hobbies: Cooking, sewing, walks in the park, movies, and community events. I enjoy education and embedding learning activities into everyday moments with my daughter. Together, we also make cards to brighten the day for people who are sick or celebrating something special.

Fun fact: I was given a beautiful orchid as a gift a few years ago. Shortly afterwards it looked like it had died (I don’t have a green thumb). I later visited a “plant doctor” and learned that orchids just need time and TLC. I followed the directions, and eventually it came back to life and is thriving today. It reminds me that with a little faith and care, even the hardest seasons can bloom into something beautiful.

My ECFE experiences so far: I’ve enjoyed learning alongside my daughter, connecting with other parents, and watching her grow in such a positive, playful space.

Why I serve on ECPTO: To connect families, support our community, and give back to ECFE.

Hometown: Austin, Texas 

Currently Live in: Maple Grove, Minnesota 

My Family: Husband- Cameron, son, Cassian almost 2 

Personality in 1 word: adaptable

Hobbies: making clay jewelry, attempting to cook 

Fun fact: I traveled to 18 countries in one year. 

My ECFE experiences so far: amazing! Loved seeing  these littles growing into the little humans and sharing our experiences with other parents going through similar journeys. 

Why I serve on ECPTO: meet other parents interested in learning how early education is impactful and ways to raise awareness in our communities.

Hometown: Rio Claro, Trinidad 

Currently live in: Maple Grove, MN 

My Family: Zach and Emma (Aug. '22)

Personality in 1 word: Adaptable 

Hobbies: reading/watching anything sci-fi and baking

Fun Fact: I'm a "do-er", whether that means constantly reorganizing my home or traveling the world.

My ECFE experiences so far: We started ECFE when Emma was 6 months old and we have been having a blast since then!

Why I serve on ECPTO: ECFE has substanially shaped my approaches to parenting. The resources, both in and out of the classroom, and supportive teachers have been a pillar for raising my Emma. I serve on ECPTO so that I can give back to the community. I'm looking forward to meeting you and your family!

Hometown: Brooklyn Park, MN

Currently Live in: Champlin, MN

My Family: Myself, Sara (wife), Aurora (3.75 year old daughter), and Baby Pretzel (in wife's tummy, she is week 15 for pregnancy)

Personality in 1 word: Thoughtful

Hobbies: Video Games, Board Games, Meditation and Mindfulness, Korean BBQ

Fun fact: I volunteer every year at 2 camp programs which I absolutely love. Camp Odayin (Kids with Heart Disease) and Camp Hand in Hand (Kids with Special Needs). The kids call me Ninja and 2026 will be my 14th year!

My ECFE experiences so far: I've attended ECFE since Aurora was 1 going to drop in classes and Birth-2 classes. I work as a special education teacher and have taught a vast amount of ages including 0-5 with special needs.

Why I serve on ECPTO: I feel that it would be nice to be involved with the school that my daughter would attend at some point in her life and see how I can support not only her, but other families as well. I also find volunteering