Our People: Staff

Alison Drummond

Alison Drummond grew up in lovely Richfield, MN.  She graduated college from Winona State University with a degree in Social Science/History Education.  Alison has substitute taught for the past 2 years and this is her second year at Quest Academy. She teaches social studies. She will also be assisting across subjects and grade levels.  Alison became a teacher to share her love of learning with others. When she is not teaching she enjoys biking, being outdoors and spending time with her friends and family. Alison is also the head coach of the Richfield High School Dance Team. Alison loves to explore the world through travel and likes nothing more than to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.

James Engler

email: jengler@questacademymn.org

James grew up right here in beautiful St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He graduated from The University of Minnesota and later the University of Phoenix where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Elementary Education. He works with Quest students across grade levels and subject areas.  He teaches a Top 20 course that guides students to understand and incorporate attitudes and behaviors that exemplify those of the top twenty percent of students. James has been teaching for 11 years and this is his fourth year at Quest. He had two amazing teachers in high school that inspired him to become a teacher. There is a lot more to it than reading, writing, and arithmetic!  When he is not teaching, James enjoys golf, running, and coaching youth sports. He is the veteran of nine marathons (at a penguin’s pace). He also enjoys spending time with his family. He has been married to Sue for 28 years and has two children, Sara, 21 and Tyler, 18.

Paul Graversen

email: pgraversen@questacademymn.com

Melody Herbst - School Social Worker, Special Education Coordinator

Nate Leckband - English

Nancy Maupin - Art

email: nmaupin@questacademymn.org

Nancy was born in New York but grew up in different cities around the world. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.S. degree in Art Education and Special Education. This is Nancy’s fourth year at Quest. She works with students in grades 6-12, helping them achieve successful academic studies. Nancy became a teacher because she believes every student can be successful if they have the right tools. When she is not teaching Nancy is busy with art, gardening, and being a full-time mom to two great kids.

Tracey Peterson - Math

email: tpeterson@questacademymn.org

Tracey grew up in Hastings, Minnesota. She graduated from Evangel University in 2001 with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and Middle School Mathematics. Tracey has taught for ten years and this is her fourth year at Quest Academy. She is guiding the math instruction at Quest and supporting throughout subject areas.  She and Ms. Thorson lead the homeroom for middle school girls.  Tracey became a teacher because at the age of eight she was already making her three younger siblings sit in desks and write sentences, so she figured she could make a career of it as an adult. When she is not teaching, Tracey enjoys lake kayaking, reading Jane Austen books, visiting her nieces and nephews and volunteering at a Somali adult literacy program. Tracey has a large Marvin the Martian collection and knows everything about the Gilmore Girls.

Tim Popp - Science

email: tpopp@questacademymn.org

Tim grew up in Long Island, New York, just a 10-minute ride from the salt water he misses so dearly. He graduated from the City University of New York at Lehman College with an M.S. in Secondary Science Education. Tim has taught for five years, and this is his third year at Quest Academy. He teaches Earth, Life and Environmental Science to middle- and high-school students. Tim became a teacher because he enjoys spending time with children as well as teaching and learning about science. He enjoys strumming his guitar, birding, and generally being outside as much as possible. Tim spent three years in the Peace Corps teaching subsistence aquaculture to rural villagers in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mike Roll - School Counselor, Dean of Students

Mike graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. in Theology and Social Justice.  While living with his family in Arizona, he received an M.A. in School Counseling at the University of Phoenix.  He worked as a School Counselor for at-risk students at Hope Middle School and Hope High School.  This is his first year at Quest Academy.  Mike has two dogs, an 85 pound golden retriever and a 14 pound Chihuahua/Rat Terrier.  The size difference in the two dogs seems to put smiles on people's faces when he is outside enjoying their evening walks.  Mike is a big fan of most sports and his favorite team is the Minnesota Twins.  His favorite thing to do is spend time doing just about anything with his family.

Joe Steinert - Health

Joe teaches Health and Physical Education and this is his first year at Quest Academy.  Joe grew up in Maple Grove.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin River Falls in December 2010 with a major in Physical Education and Health and a minor in Adapted Physical Education.  Joe was a long-term sub at Lucy Craft Laney Elementary in Minneapolis. This is Joe's first year as a full-time teacher.  Joe also coaches football at Osseo Senior High. This is his second year coaching at Osseo.

Jana Thorson

email: jthorson@questacademymn.org

Jana Thorson earned her B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota - Morris Campus in English Education with a minor in music and a coaching certificate. After 20 years in the engineering field, she made a career change. Jana has enjoyed working with middle school and high school students in English and Special Education for three years. She is currently earning her Master's Degree in Special Ed from St. Cloud State University. When Jana is not teaching, she enjoys being with her husband and two young girls. They enjoy biking, fishing, four wheeling, and being outside. Jana has also taught piano for more than two decades and has played in a bell choir for years too. She loves sports, music and reading a good book.

Amy Zabel - Social Studies

email: azabel@questacademymn.org

Amy grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin (the brat capital of the world). She graduated from the University of Minnesota with an M.Ed in Social Studies Education. Amy has taught for two years and this is her second year at Quest Academy. She teaches grades 9-12 History, Geography, Civics, Economics and a 20th Century Course and is also a Student Council Advisor. Amy became a teacher because she loves learning and wants to create life-long learners that are engaged in the world around them. When she is not teaching, Amy enjoys reading, walking around the lakes and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. Amy is a worldwide traveler, having visited 23 different countries on 5 continents.