Gifted & Talented Staff Back row, standing, left to right: Carmen Murray, Karin DeZiel Seated, left to right: Joan Brinkman, Mary Kenealy-Bredice, Kelly Etienne Carmen Murray "I have been a member of the SLP staff for seven years. I have taught at Cedar Manor and Park Spanish Immersion and am currently teaching at PSI, grades 1-6. I enjoy the challenge of meeting individual student needs and encouraging them to stretch to meet their goals. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, training and riding my two horses and spending time outdoors close to nature. I also have been training a service dog through the organization Helping Paws. Service dogs are trained to work with people who have a physical disability other than blindness or deafness." Karin DeZiel "This is my seventh year as secretary of the Gifted and Talented Department - you can find me tucked away in a delightful corner of the Junior High with my computer and my phone, taking care of administrative details for our staff members, parents and students. My degree is in medical technology." My husband and are enjoying our newly empty nest in Golden Valley. Last summer we traveled to London, the Norway Fjords and Stockholm, Sweden where I have family. My hobbies include gardening, honing my computer skills, several pets, and spending time at the lake fishing and relaxing." Joanie Brinkman "Hi, I'm Joan Brinkman advocate for Gifted 7-12 and International Baccalaureate advisor for 11-12. I have worked in St. Louis Park since 1989 in the field of Gifted Education. Co-authoring a book What's On Your Mind comprised of social and emotional activities for gifted students with retired counselor Joel Anderson, is a career highlight. Karen Rogers was my mentor at St. Thomas University I have two daughters who have graduated from UW Madison. My husband is a general contractor and we spend our free time golfing, searching for antiques, refinishing furniture and having fun with our kids after college!" Mary K-B "This is my sixth year in St. Louis Park as part of the Gifted Education staff. I am the G/T resource teacher and math challenge teacher at both Cedar Manor and Susan Lindgren Intermediate Centers. I was a classroom teacher for many years as well as a G/T teacher in Hopkins and Minnetonka before coming to St. Louis Park. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Minnesota and my Masters degree is from the University of Wisconsin. I am married and have three children, two in college and one in fifth grade. We are a very busy family, enjoying all sports and other outdoor activities." Kelly Etienne "I began teaching in St. Louis Park in 1993. I have completed my Master's degree from Hamline University and am currently working on my gifted certification. I live in St. Louis Park with my husband Tony and our daughter, Maddie. I feel very fortunate to live and work in a community where learning and children are fostered. I love gardening, traveling, practicing yoga, and generally learning anything new!!"

6425 West 33rd Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426-3498 phone: 952.928.6000 fax: 952.928.6020 contact us by email