Primary Team | Intermediate Team | Upper Team | Support Team

Kristine Fishbach, Kindergarten
I have been working in the field of education for 14 years. During these years I had experience in early childhood, school readiness, before and after school care and most recently Title I reading and math. I also enjoy educating parents and early childhood professionals by conducting daycare workshops, community education classes, and speaking at local and national conferences.
In addition to being a kindergarten teacher, I am a parent to my son Zak and a wife to my husband John. In my spare time I enjoy watching my son play hockey, baseball and football. As a family, the three of us enjoy golfing, water activities, hockey, and sharing stories while roasting marshmallows over a bonfire.
I embrace the Centerpoint philosophy and continue learning everyday.

Judy Ross, Kindergarten Plus

Centerpoint has been an important part of my life since my two oldest children enrolled when it opened in 1976. My husband, Jim, and I have five daughters who have all graduated from Centerpoint and then from White Bear Lake High School…two of them are also teachers. Being a parent volunteer like so many of our parents are now, and helping out in my children’s classrooms or in the Centerpoint office, was an opportunity to meet other parents and be a part of our children’s educational experiences. When my youngest daughter was in third grade, I went back to the University of Minnesota, graduated in 1991, and began teaching kindergarten at Centerpoint that fall. I feel privileged to work with young children and especially enjoy the opportunity to see them often as they move through the grades.

My interests outside of school are my family, including three incredible grandchildren who are 4, almost 2, and 10 months, running (often with one or more of my daughters), camping, canoeing, and exploring the forests and lakes of northeastern Minnesota near our cabin nestled next to the BWCA up the Gunflint trail. I also like to relax with a good book, a camera, a sketchbook and pencils, or with good friends whenever the opportunity arises.

Dawn Maple, 1^st Grade

This is my first second teaching at Centerpoint Elementary, but I have worked in education for over 15 years, primarily in Early Childhood Education. My past experience includes teaching in a private kindergarten setting, working as an administrator in an Early Childhood Program, and staff development and training for early childhood educators. I also have worked as a Parent Educator in ECFE.

Although this is my second year teaching here at Centerpoint, I am no stranger to the program. My own children have spent their elementary school years in this program. Throughout their years at Centerpoint, I have had many exciting volunteer experiences within the program. I am very honored to be part of the wonderful team of teachers here at Centerpoint!

Outside of school, my husband Tim and I enjoy camping with our four children, Danica, Drake, Alex, and Erika. I also enjoy reading, traveling, visiting new places around town, playing games, and gardening.

Pam Winkler, 1^st Grade

I have worked as an educator in the WBL School District for 17 years. I have taught in every grade 1st-6th, except 5th grade. I am married to Bob Winkler and have two children, Sarah and Zach, who attend Sunrise Park Middle School here in White Bear. We have a dog, named Tipper and a bird named Skittles. I have a Bachelor's degree in French, a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Teaching and Learning. I am passionate about being a teacher, especially in the areas of reading, writing and social studies. I believe teamwork is the way to accomplish anything that you set your mind to whether it is in or out of school. Getting to know my teammates is very important and I try and set up my classroom such that we all work together in our learning. Besides teaching, I enjoy canoeing, camping, knitting, crafting, singing and traveling. I am excited to be a teacher at Centerpoint and look forward to getting to know all of you even better. Have a wonderful year and stop by to say hi!

Intermediate Team, Grades 2 and 3

Kari Balliet

Jeanne Mack

I am thrilled to be teaching and learning alongside the Centerpoint community and its children. I have a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Microbiology and Education from St. Cloud State University. I was also fortunate enough to receive a Masters in Administrative Services from Northern Michigan University. Before teaching at Centerpoint I worked with adult students at a college level in the Student Services department. I am married and the parent of two elementary aged boys. My interests include hauling my boys around to various activities (hockey, religion, swimming etc.) reading and exercising.

Susie Mahoney

Upper Team, Grades 4 and 5

Karla Harding

This will be my seventh year teaching at Centerpoint Elementary School. Prior to that I received my undergraduate degree in education from Saint Cloud State University. Recently I graduated with a Master’s in general education from Hamline University with focus in communications. When not teaching I enjoy spending time hiking, biking, running, pumping iron, reading, writing, and shopping with friends and family.

I am a proud and happy newlywed in my fourth year of marriage. My husband Steve recently went back to college for journalism at St. Cloud State. In my spare time I have been working on editing and sending out a children’s chapter book which I finished last summer. I also love to work out at the gym, read all kinds of books, sit out on the rocky shores of Lake Superior, stargaze, and visit with family and friends. I am truly excited about the upcoming school year and all of the opportunities I have to help my students develop their potential.

Sandy Harthan

Sandy Harthan
I am so glad to be coming back to Centerpoint for the fifth year! This is my eighth year in the White Bear Lake school district. I taught a 4/5 class at Lakeaires Elementary for two years, and was a Project Extend teacher at Hugo Elementary the previous year. I also taught an elementary gifted and talented program for three years in Gaylord, Minnesota. My undergraduate degree was at St. Cloud State University. This past spring I completed my master’s degree from Hamline University.
Some of my interests include music, creative writing, computers, crafts, and reading. I am a big Disney fan and used to work part-time at the Disney Store. I also enjoy drama and this past summer I performed in two plays, The Twelve Dancing Princesses and A Rose's Other Name. I love teaching because it is always changing and I'm always learning new things!

Sandy Kriz Herbert

Support Team, (Office, Spanish, Principal)

John Leininger, Coordinator

My teaching experience began in the late 1980’s as I worked with various organizations as an environmental educator. I was, in fact, an instructor/naturalist at Widjiwagan where our 4/5 team goes every other year. I worked two years here at Centerpoint before taking a leave of absence to work at the International School of Stavanger in Norway. I was fortunate enough to return to Centerpoint in 1993. My undergraduate work was done at the University of Minnesota and I have a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas and Adminstrative Degree from Hamline University. My wife Jennifer and I are the proud parents of Alexander and Tyler who are both Centerpoint Students. Our family loves to spend time traveling, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, and camping.

Becky Berkas, Principal

Gayle Chapman, Volunteer Coordinator

Alejandra Moncayo Lozano, Spanish

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