Grades 9-12
Meet the Staff
Bill Potts
6-12 Physical Education and Health & K-12 Developmental Adapted Physical Education, High School
Certification: B.S. Physical Education
Education: Saint Cloud State University
Bio: I’m a father of two teenage daughters with my wife of over 20 years. My oldest daughter is going to college at a Community College in the Twin cities and my youngest daughter is a Senior at Blaine High School. I have taught in the Twin Cities for over twenty years and believe Physical Education and Health are two of the most important classes for students. I enjoy the challenges everyday that our students bring to the classroom and look forward to teaching at STEP Academy.
Room: Gym / #1225
Email: bpotts@stepacademymn.org
John Sooja
High School ELA Teacher, High School
Certification: B.A. M.A. and Ph.D in English Language Arts
Education: Hamline University; University of California-Riverside
Bio: John grew up in the Twin Cities, went to South High School, and graduated from Hamline University. He then finished graduate school in California before returning to MN to be closer to friends and family. He has over 10 years of teaching experience and loves being in the classroom! His interests primarily revolve around soccer, good music, good writing, books, tabletop gaming, and almost anything nerdy.
Room: 210 / #1210
Email: jsooja@stepacademymn.org
Wayne Nelsen
High School ELL Teacher, ELL
Certification: K-12 Language Arts and English Language Learner Education
Education: Saint Cloud State University
Bio: I began my ELL career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Hodeidah, Yemen. After that I taught at Ayutthaya Teachers College in Thailand. In the States I've worked as an instructor for a Family Literacy program, followed by many years of teaching ELL in Minneapolis and St. Paul. I've been with Step Academy for 10 years!
Room: 93 / #1093
Email: wayne@stepacademymn.com
Omar Fiqi
6-12 Math Intervention, High School
Certification: M. Ed. Mathematics; PGDIPL - Actuarial Science; B.S. Statistics
Education: University of Minnesota; University of Waterloo; King Saud University (Riyadh, Saudi-Arabia)
Bio: Fifteen years experience of teaching and tutoring mathematics for different grades (6-12). Collaborated and communicated regularly with families in making educational decisions and use family and community resources to support learning and collaborated with peers to develop, plan and implement best practices based on the needs/abilities of the students.
Room: 100 / #1001
Email: ofiqi@stepacademymn.org
Freedom Hunt
CCR Teacher, High School
Certification: 5-12 Social Studies
Education: University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Bio: My name is Freedom Hunt and I’m in my second year at STEP Academy. I’m really happy to work with students at STEP and to support them in fulfilling their goal to attend post secondary education.
Room: 214 / #1214
Email: fhunt@stepacademymn.org
Andy Tholen
Assistant Dean of Students Services, Administration
Certification: 5-12 Social Studies
Education: Mankato State University
Bio: I am the Assistant Dean of Student Services and I teach Philosophy and World History
Room: 207 / #1207
Email: atholen@stepacademymn.org
Fadumo Mohamud
9/10/12 ELA, High School
Certification: B.A. English - Secondary & Creative Writing
Education: I am, as Dr. Mustafa puts it, "the face of the school," a title I cherish. I appreciate the opportunity I have here at STEP Academy to be the face that greets anyone who walks in. I enjoy assisting others, and I have the opportunity to assist others on a full-time basis here at STEP Academy as an office staff member. I go by Fadumo, iido, or “aunti the office lady,” as the kids call me. Now I teach English Language Art of 9, 10 and 12th grade.
Bio: I am, as Dr. Mustafa puts it, "the face of the school," a title I cherish. I appreciate the opportunity I have here at STEP Academy to be the face that greets anyone who walks in. I enjoy assisting others, and I have the opportunity to assist others on a full-time basis here at STEP Academy as an office staff member. I go by Fadumo, iido, or “aunti the office lady,” as the kids call me.
Room: 214 / #1214
Email: fmohamud@stepacademymn.org
Chris Welter
Assistant Dean of Students, Administration
Certification: B.S. Kinesiology- Emphasis in Physical Education
Education: San Diego State University
Bio: The thing that I really enjoy about working at STEP Academy is the sense of community and teamwork that is present in the staff members, faculty, and students. What drew me to become an educator was the enjoyment that I had when I first started coaching sports. Being a source of positivity in someone's life is something that I look forward to everyday and something that I hope I can be for a long time. When I am not teaching I enjoy running, hiking, biking and really just being outside as well as staying in and watching my favorite sports teams (Vikings, Twins, and Oklahoma University).
Room: 201a / #1225
Email: cwelter@stepacademymn.org
John Ritchart
HS Science, High School
Certification: 9-12 Physics and Chemistry
Education: Murray State University
Bio: Science teacher, US Navy vet, fisherman
Room: 211&213 / #1213
Email: jritchart@stepacademymn.org
Luke Olson
HS Math Teacher, High School
Certification: 5-12 Mathematics & Coaching
Education: University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Bio: I enjoy the students' willingness to help each other learn at STEP. I integrate STEM into teaching every day! Math is 25% of STEM! I don't remember exactly what made me decide to be a teacher, but I am happy I am doing it. Outside of school I do woodworking and home remodeling.
Room: 212 / #1212
Email: lolson@stepacademymn.org
Marwa Borghol
Secondary Arabic, High School
Certification: B.S. Education; K-12 Arabic Education
Education: Al Mansoura University (Egypt)
Bio: Arabic language teacher for non speakers grades K12 in U.S. for about 13 years.
Room: 208 / #1208
Email: marwa@stepacademymn.org