Our faculty are known statewide for great teaching.
LDA faculty members have a passion for training teachers and a proven record of doing it very well. They are experts with advanced degrees and several years of special education practice themselves, and they have developed far-reaching professional networks throughout the state.
Dr. Jennifer Christensen
Jennifer serves as a key faculty for the program and manages mentors who coach our teacher candidates. Jennifer comes to LDA with a variety of experiences in special education as well as an extensive background teacher preparation at several institutions of higher education including St. Cloud State University and Eastern Kentucky University where she taught courses in special education to teacher candidates. Jennifer has her Doctorate of Philosophy is Special Education from the University of North Texas.
Amy Madvig, MA
Amy teaches our Introduction to Special Education course. Amy, a full time special educator at SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288, has been on LDA’s faculty team since 2018, and has been teaching since 2013. Amy earned her BA and MA at Augsburg University and also received her Work Based Learning Coordinator Certification from St. Cloud State University.
Angela Schroetke, MS
Angela teaches LDA’s Assessment course, Classroom Management course, and School-to-Work Transitions course. Angela is a full-time Special Education Lead and Teacher with the Anoka Hennepin School District. Angela earned her MS in Special Education from St. Cloud State University and has been teaching in special education since 2003.
Amy Klausen Burge, MEd
Amy teaches our Math Strategies course. With over 20 years of teaching, Amy has a BS in Math Education and an MEd in Special Education (SLD) from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Amy current teaches at Perpich Arts High School.
Kayna Plaisted, MA
Kayna teaches LDA’s Reading & Writing Strategies course. Kayna currently is employed at Brightworks (formerly Metro ECSU) and has her MA in Literacy Education from St. Mary’s University and BS in Special Education from St. Cloud State University.
Stephanie Feakes-Young
Stephanie teaches LDA’s Educational Psychology course and co-teaches the IEP course with Sarah Olson. Stephanie has been with LDA’s faculty groups since 2018 and works as a full-time special educator in the Bloomington Public School district. Stephanie earned her BA and MA in Special Education from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and has taught special education since 2011.
Sarah Olson
Sarah co-teaches our IEP course alongside Stephanie Feakes-Young. Sarah is a special education teacher in the Wayzata Public School District and has taught in a variety of elementary sped positions since 2011. Sarah earned her BA and MA in Special Education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.