Heidi Jaeger is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and joins Jennings as a contracted School Social Worker.  She has worked in a vary of roles and educational settings including early childhood education, private school,  adult community based education, charter schools and a university.

Perhaps most formative were her years working with women in prison, women transitioning from homelessness to stable housing, and teen parenting.  From this she grounded into the strengths perspective for client growth and has brought that perspective into every setting and age group that she has served.  Heidi earned her undergraduate degree from Hamline University and completed her Masters of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.  

She is a lifelong learner with special interest and additional training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens and is both a certified yoga instructor (RYT 200) and Kripalu Yoga in the Schools teacher.  She spends lots of times outdoors hiking, camping, kayaking, and snowshoeing with her husband and adventure dogs.

My name is Andrew Sletten (he/him) and I was born in Fergus Falls, MN, the home of the world's largest ceramic otter. I attended the University of Minnesota Morris and earned a degree in History. After I graduated I worked as a college admissions counselor for 9 years, recruiting students and reviewing college applications. In my time working in admissions I counseled a wide range of students from all over the world.

Through it all, my favorite part of the day was when I got to work directly with students. This motivated me to become a teacher and in 2024 I received my Masters of Education and teaching licensure from the University of Minnesota. I am excited to start my teaching career at Jennings. I love that it is a small community that is student-focused.

Outside of school I am an active musician (check out Ryan Gebhardt, Dayton Hollow or Gladden to hear me play drums), biker, nature lover, and cold brew coffee enthusiast.

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Hey Y’all! I’m Michelle (She/Her). I was born in Rochester MN, but moved to St. Paul before the age of 2 and have been floating around in this area ever since! I am a mother of 3 daughters and 1 pup-son. They are my favorite part of life. I have been working with young people in our community all over the metro area for 15 years and it absolutely fills my cup! In 2015, I graduated from the U of M Twin Cities with my bachelor’s degree in Youth Studies and then in 2019 I earned my master’s degree in k-12 Special Education.

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When I’m not at school, I’m with my family. My hobbies are being a chauffeur to my kiddos, watching them be involved with extracurriculars and taking them out into the community. My favorite books to read are children’s books to my kids at bedtime and getting outside for us means making sure our puppy gets to run his “zoomies” off. Cooking is a huge passion of mine, and we love to add new recipes in for our dinner rotations.

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Starting out my teaching career in the public school system was interesting. I tried my best to fit in, but time and time again I found myself wishing I could build deeper connections with students and colleagues. Finding Jennings was great for me because it is obvious that relationship/community building is a core principle here. The small setting here allows us to help guide students into their adult lives, one step at a time in a way that makes sense individually. It’s something special and I am lucky to be here.

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Micah Ruelle (they/she) is an educator and writer with a diverse academic background. They hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Texas State University, a CPTS in Theological and Pastoral Studies from Oxford University's Wycliffe Hall, and a BA in English from the University of Central Missouri. With experience as a college educator, Micah deeply values student-centered education. Beyond academia, they actively engage with the community by conducting creative writing workshops in the Twin-Cities area. A passionate creator in their own right, Micah enjoys experimenting with new recipes in their kitchen during leisure time. Micah's professional journey is marked by a commitment to education and a creative spirit that enriches both their teaching and personal pursuits.

Moti Lemu grew up in Saint Paul, MN, and graduated from Johnson High School. He earned a degree in Business Administration from Goshen College, Indiana, in 2015, and obtained his teaching license from Hamline University in Spring 2019. Moti has dedicated eight years to the field of education, including five years at Jennings Community School.

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Passionate about teaching Social Studies, Math, and Language Arts, Moti focuses on enhancing students' critical thinking skills through problem-solving, interpretation, and evaluation.

Alicia Chavez-Mena, a Saint Paul native, brings over 20 years of experience in education and a deep passion for her work. She’s an invaluable team member who looks forward to each new year with enthusiasm. Outside of her professional life, Alicia enjoys nature, camping, sports, and good food.

Alicia manages numerous roles within our community: she serves on the Board, travels with students, helps lead MAAP Stars, runs the community room, and is the main contact for community and family outreach. She also acts as a liaison for Latino communities, teaches classes, helps with recruitment, lunch duties, communication, and Spanish translation, among other tasks.

Her completion of Developmental Design Training and years of experience has enhanced her ability to foster equity, integration, and diversity in both school and community settings. Alicia is instrumental in creating and leading committees focused on anti-bullying, restorative justice, equity, and community involvement. Her work at Jennings has resulted in the development of important learning opportunities and support systems that extend beyond the school.

Liz graduated from the College of Saint Benedict in 2015 with a degree in psychology. Following graduation, Liz worked for Hennepin County, working with adults with severe brain injuries, helping them reintegrate into the community. Liz became connected with Jennings Community School in 2018 while working with various schools teaching healthy relationships/life skills education.

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Upon working with Jennings Community School, Liz knew it was a special place and found her desire to work with the students and staff full time. Liz has thoroughly enjoyed working in an experiential learning and more nurturing school environment. She looks forward to growing her own learning as she continues to work with students and staff at Jennings!

My name is Kristyn Martin, and I have been involved with alternative education since 2003. I am a big believer that one size does not fit all and I have been able to learn from and work with some amazing educators throughout my career. I started at Jennings CLC in the Fall of 2008 and during my experience here I have been able to take students on a variety of educational trips and MAAP STARS events. I enjoy guiding student learning in a variety of subjects but I take special interest in the areas of Physical Education and Career/Work Base Learning. I have been a member of MAAP (Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs) since 2004, and I am currently the Central Metro Regional Director for MAAP and Officer Coordinator for MAAP STARS. I believe in the Community Learning Center model and Jennings’ commitment to it. Engage, Inspire, Grow!

Valerie (Sutton) Honey (she/her) has been an advisor at Jennings Community School for over a decade. She holds a license in Language Arts from Northwestern University in Roseville, and certifications in gifted education from Hamline University and Work-Based Learning from Bethel University.

Originally rooted in small-town, farm-country Minnesota, Valerie’s journey led her through the suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul during her college and early career years. Now, in the heart of the city, she has discovered her passion for urban education. Valerie’s commitment to social justice and youth empowerment infuses her teaching approach. She has guided numerous Jennings students in planning trips that expand their understanding of people, history, and culture. She also thoroughly enjoys helping students customize their learning to guide them toward a rewarding future after high school.

In her spare time, Valerie enjoys her family, travel, walks with friends, podcasts, audiobooks, baking, and volunteering.