Meet Our Staff

Lisa M. Hoff ~ Co-Director

I am a 1994 Graduate of Red Wing Central High school and a 1998 graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree Bachelor Arts in Sociology a minor in Communications with a concentration in Human Resources. 

Since then, I have moved to the North Shore of Minnesota to Silver Bay with my husband.  I joined the Birch Grove TEAM in November of 1998 as the Birch Grove Foundation Director.  Since then I have had two children.  As part of the Foundation TEAM I assisted in the organization and founding of the Birch Grove Community School.  I have now moved into a Co-Director position of the Birch Grove Community School. 

The Birch Grove Community School is a very exciting place filled with wonderful initiatives and a strong community feeling.  I have known a gentleman that has guided me along in this process that has always ingrained in me that, "it is always about the children!"

Diane Blanchette ~ Co-Director

Miss. Natalie Shaw ~ K-1 Teacher

After graduating from the College of St. Catherine in 1993 with a BA in Elementary Education (MN K-6 License), I headed up to the BWCA and ended up staying longer than expected.  My first teaching position was at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary in Grand Marais as a long term Third grade Substitute.  Since then, I have had many educational adventures, including teaching Math and Science at an alternative middle school in North Minneapolis, to teaching the Gifted and Talented program in Henning, MN, where I also taught a year of Fourth grade.  Four years ago, I came back to Cook County and joined the Birch Grove family teaching the Kindergarten, First and Second Grade class.  I am very excited to be involved in the transition of becoming the Birch Grove Community School and look forward to the many adventures to come.

Mrs. Tina Goutermont ~ 2nd and 3rd grade Teacher

Mr. Michael Swindlehurst ~ 4th and 5th grade Teacher

I recently graduated summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Science.  Over the course of my education, I have enjoyed the opportunity to work in a variety of classroom situations with children possessing a broad spectrum of abilities, learning styles, backgrounds and individual needs.

 Prior to attending the University of Minnesota Duluth in pursuit of my teaching degree, I worked for approximately eleven years as an environmental engineer at the Taconite Harbor power plant and loading dock facility in Schroeder.  While at the facility, I also served as a facilitator for company-wide team building and conflict resolution training programs.

I was raised in Silver Bay and have lived and worked on the North Shore nearly all of my life.  I’m an avid runner and cyclist and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.  My wife is also a North Shore native, having been born and raised in Grand Marais.  We look forward to raising our family in the area.

I fully appreciate the importance of keeping a community school in operation in Tofte.  I have a great affinity for the area and the people here, and embrace the opportunity to help create a rich learning environment at the school. 

John Davis ~ Paraprofessional and Physical Education Teacher

 I am John Davies, a Para professional at Birch Grove Community School.  I work with small groups of students helping them with their reading or math and sometimes science or social studies.  I supervise the lunch room and take students out for recess.  I try to assist the teachers and staff at Birch Grove any way I can. 

I am a retired teacher.  I taught sixth grade for 34 years at LeCenter Elementary School.  I live on Christine Lake outside of Lutsen where I enjoy fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, hiking, and reading.  I recently lost my wife to brain cancer but really enjoy when my three children and two grand children come up to visit.

Mrs. Marcia Beachem ~ Special Education

I grew up on a beautiful farm near Detroit Lakes, MN. In 1987 I moved to Duluth and attended the College of St. Scholastica, graduating with honors in 1991 with a BA degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Religious Studies.

From 1991 - 2001, I taught elementary school grades 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades in Duluth. In 1999, I completed training in Educational Therapy through the National Institute for Learning Disabilities based in Norfolk, VA.

In 2001, my husband Lance and I moved to a small town in west central Minnesota. While living there I worked as the librarian for grades K-12 at the Verndale Public School.

In January 2006, we moved to Silver Bay. We love living and working on the North Shore. I enjoy hiking, gardening and reading good books. I am very happy to be part of the Birch Grove team and enjoy working with our students and their families.

Sheryl Martinson ~ Paraprofessional

Mrs. Jackie Robinson ~ Paraprofessional

This past year I have enjoyed working as a paraprofessional at Birch Grove Community School. I have taught in elementary education as well as special education for over 23 years in Minneapolis and North St. Paul - Maplewood School District. I have worked with many students with a wide range of ages and abilities.

In 2001, I retired from teaching and worked as a social worker in Developmental Disabilities for 4 1/2 years. I enjoyed working with families directly and helping to coordinate services.

My husband and I moved to Little Marais in 2006 - a dream in the making for over 25 years. We have 2 grown daughters. My hobbies include reading, outdoor activities, and long coffee hours!

I look forward to the opportunity of working at Birch Grove Community School again in the coming year. Parents, students and staff are great to work with!

Miss Jessa Wallendal ~ Pre School Teacher