Meet The Teachers
Elizabeth, Lori, Ellen, Kenza. Not Pictured Eve and Juliet
Peggy, Ness, Lea, Kaylee, Tom, Beth, Kevin
Linnea, Melissa, Sue, Logan, Kay Anne
Anna, Nora, Sophie, Melissa, Kelly
Zeke, Erin, Nicolas, Donna, Dhayvid, Pat, Mike
Teaching Teams
- E1 Team (1st, 2nd, 3rd grade)
- E2 Team (4th, 5th, 6th grade)
- Children's House (Pre K and Kindergarten)
E1 Team (1st, 2nd, 3rd grade)
E1 Team
Teacher Name: Sue Backus
Email: susan.backus@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: N201
How to contact me: Email or text is the best way to reach me.
A little about me: I’m so excited to begin another year at Seward. This is my 25th year teaching at Seward and my 31st year teaching in Minneapolis Public Schools. I spent my summer gardening, reading and spending time with my children and grandchildren. I grew up and went to St. Paul Public Schools and currently reside in Lino Lakes.
Teacher Name: Logan Caldwell
Email: logan.caldwell@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 117
How to contact me: please reach out via email or text
A little about me: This is my 5th year teaching at Seward and where I started my teaching career. I love spending my time biking, reading, gardening, traveling, being on the water or just about anything outdoors! I grew up playing hockey and soccer and still enjoying playing both in my spare time.
Teacher Name: Kyra Christopherson
Email: kyra.christopherson@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #:104
A little about me: I am grateful to be an E1 teacher for my 5th year teaching at Seward–I was previously an AE at Seward for six years and a Kinder teacher at Bancroft for four. I have two littles: Etta is now 4 years old and Bodi is 17 months (Wow! It goes fast). When not at Seward you can find me having adventures–mostly outdoors or museums-around the Twin Cities with my family!
Teacher Name: Kaye DeBlieck
Email: kaye.deblieck@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: N207
How to contact me: email
A little about me: Hello! I'm Kaye DeBlieck, an E1 teacher at Seward Montessori School. I have been teaching for 30 years in Minneapolis Public Schools. I have taught 1st - 4th in a regular education setting. I have been at Seward for 18 years teaching the Montessori Method. I am married to Bruce and have one daughter, Emmalise. She just graduated from Iowa State University. She is currently working full time with autistic children. We have a cat named Snuggles who we love very much.
Teacher Name: Melissa Ericken
Email: melissa.ericksen@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #:116
How to contact me: I value parent communication through Talking Points and email
A little about me: The 2025-2026 school year will be my 33rd year teaching at Seward Montessori…this place is my home away from home!🥰
When I’m not teaching, I love spending my time on the golf course⛳️, reading next to a body of water, walking my dog and spending time with my family. I became a grandma for the first time a year ago and I’m loving my new title.
Teacher Name: Anna Lethert
Email: Anna.Lethert@mpls.k12.mn.us
Teacher Name: Kelly O’Brien
Email: kellym.obrien@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 105
A little about me: This will be my 5th year of teaching at Seward, and my 12th year teaching in Minneapolis. When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time up north, cooking, reading, and playing board games. I am excited for another year of engaging learning in Room 105.
Teacher Name: Nora Sylvestre
Email: nora.sylvestre@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 118
How to contact me: Talking Points or Email
A little about me: This will be my 5th year teaching at Seward! I was born and raised here in Minneapolis and I even attended Seward for middle school back when we had one! In my free time I love swimming, cooking and doing puzzles and crosswords.
Teacher Name: Linnea Trandem
Email: Linnea.Trandem@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: N200
How to contact me: Email or text
A little about me: I have been teaching for 4 years at Seward, and love it so much I decided to bring my daughter here for school! I live in St Paul with my husband, dog, and 2 daughters.
Teacher Name: Sophie Vukmirovich
Email: sophia.vukmirovich@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: N208
How to contact me: Talking Points or email
A little about me: This is my third year teaching at Seward! I’ve lived in Minneapolis for the past two years, but I am originally from South Bend, Indiana. In my free time I enjoy crafting, reading, and swing dancing!
E2 Team (4th, 5th, 6th grade)
E2 Team
Teacher Name: Lea Davenport
Email: lea.davenport@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 305 Willow
How to contact me: Talking Points or email
A little about me: I am so happy to be a part of the Seward family for my 11th year and excited to be your teacher. I cannot wait to see what the year has in store for us. I know it will be filled with lots of learning and fun along the way. When not at Seward, I enjoy walks with my dog, Korah and watching way too much tv!
Teacher Name: Kaylee Isom
Email: kaylee.isom@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 314 Oak
How to contact me: Talking Points or Email
A little about me: This will be my 8th year teaching and my 1st year at Seward! I am so excited to be joining such a warm and welcoming community. Driven by a passion for teaching and social justice, I feel privileged to combine them both here at Seward. When I am not at school I love to spend time with my adorable niece and nephew, play tabletop roleplaying games, and get out in nature. I can’t wait to see what this year holds for Room 314!
Teacher Name: Kevin Kane
Email: kevin.kane@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 312 Hawthorn
How to contact me: Talking Points
A little about me: I’m so excited to start another year at Seward Montessori! I grew up in South Minneapolis and attended MPS schools from 1st grade until high school graduation. Outside of school, I like to play music, hang out with my wife and my dog, Juno, and spend time outdoors. Though I was raised in Minneapolis, I was born in Detroit, Michigan and have held onto my sports fandoms, so I am a big Lions fan (much to the chagrin of my students).
Teacher Name: Ness Maderios
Email: ness.madeiros@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 311 Tamarack
Teacher Name: Peggy Solensten
Email: peggy.solensten@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 309
How to contact me: Talking Points or email
A little about me: This is my 18th year at Seward Montessori. We are off to a great start! I love teaching and learning with students. I also love hanging out with family and friends, traveling, Lego Robotics, and Space Camp!
Teacher Name: Beth Trizna
Email: beth.trizna@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 310
How to contact me: Talking Points
A little about me: This is my 13th year teaching and my second year at Seward. I’m looking forward to another great year! When I’m not teaching I like hanging out with friends and family, camping, playing music, making baskets, birdwatching, and running a local choir.
Teacher Name: Tom Ward
Email: thomas.ward@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: 313
How to contact me: Talking Points, email, or text/call
A little about me: This will be my 10th year teaching and 3rd year at Seward. Outside of school I enjoy playing games with friends, writing stories, using silly voices and I’ve become a runner. My longest run was 11 miles and I did that a few times this summer. I feel really fortunate to have become a member of this community, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Children's House (Pre K and Kindergarten)
Children's House
Teacher Name: Eve Bassinger (High Five Pre-K)
Email: Eve.Bassinger@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #:
Teacher Name: Elizabeth Hockbein (Kindergarten)
Email: Elizabeth.Hockbein@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: N127
Teacher Name: Juliet Holder (High Five Pre-K)
Email: Juliet.Holder@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #:
Teacher Name: Ellen Nelson (Kindergarten)
Email: EllenJ.Nelson@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #:
Teacher Name: Kenza Sahir (Kindergarten)
Email: kenza.sahir@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: N113 (Aster Room)
How to contact me: email is best!
Link to my Materials Amazon Wishlist
Link to my Classroom Books Amazon Wishlist
A little about me: I am so excited to teach another year in Children’s House at Seward Public Montessori. I love the community at Seward and I know that your family will too! I live in the Standish neighborhood with my partner Katie and our black lab Sylvie. Over the summer, I was busy gardening while listening to podcasts, reading on my deck, and biking to Lynx basketball games. If you are looking to talk about perennial plants or children’s literature, come find me in Room N113! :)
Teacher Name: Lori Sherrell (Kindergarten)
Email: lori.sherrell@mpls.k12.mn.us
Room #: N122