MEET OUR GREAT STAFF...

Emily Wingfield, Executive Director, joined the Breakthrough community in June of 2009. In her senior year at the College of Charleston, she attended a panel discussion on the achievement gap and was moved to pursue a career in education. She taught sixth grade in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with Teach for America for three years. After her tenure with Teach for America, Emily pursued a master’s degree from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. In 2005 she received a MS with a concentration in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. Since moving to Minnesota two winters ago, she has lead a reading intervention program and community outreach programs at Pratt School. Outside of her work, Emily enjoys hiking with her one-eyed pit bull Abby and traveling.

Amy Stolpestad, Development Director, attended her first Visitor’s Day during the summer of 2010 and was amazed by the phenomenal students, dedicated aspiring teachers and the incredibly effective model of students teaching students. She joined Breakthrough as an advisory board member shortly after that memorable Visitor’s Day and has been an enthusiastic supporter ever since. Amy’s passion for educational equity developed as an undergraduate and has been a sustaining element regardless of professional roles. With a Master’s degree in education and over 14 years of experience teaching in both K-12 and teacher preparation – including two years in Baton Rouge, LA with Teach For America – Amy also brings years of work in fundraising to Breakthrough. In her free time, Amy enjoys watching her husband and two sons play soccer, taking the family dog (Roper) for walks, and reading the Sunday paper with a cup of coffee.

Jennifer Otremba, Program Director, joined Breakthrough Saint Paul in August 2007. After graduating with a B.A. in Natural Science from the College of Saint Benedict, Jennifer spent five years teaching for the Saint Paul Public Schools at Valley Branch Environmental Learning Center. During that time she also worked in a leadership capacity for programs at the Science Museum of Minnesota Youth Science Center and the Five-District Integration Partnership. In 2011, Jennifer completed her M.Ed. In Youth Development Leadership at the University of Minnesota. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors with her family.

Ashley Cooper, Student & Family Liaison, joined the Breakthrough Saint Paul staff in the fall of 2008. After earning a B.A. in psychology from the University of Minnesota, she became an aspiring English teacher at Breakthrough during the 2008 summer program. Ashley brings her experience working as an academic peer advisor at the University of Minnesota and as a youth worker at Community Partners with Youth where she organized academic after-school programming for elementary students. During her free time, Ashley enjoys boating, traveling, downhill skiing, and running.

Lizzie McNamara, Middle & High School Program Coordinator, joined Breakthrough Saint Paul staff in August 2011. Lizzie earned her B.A. in English with a minor in Urban Education from Macalester, and taught English at Breakthrough during Summer 2007. During college, she tutored middle school students in the AVID program at Battle Creek Middle School. She went on to join Teach for America and served as a high school English teacher for two years in Richmond, California, where she helped found both Technology and Health Academies within her school. Lizzie swam and played Varsity water polo in college and still loves the pool, as well as reading and eating at her favorite spots around Saint Paul.

Emily White, Community Outreach Specialist, joined the Breakthrough staff in August 2011. Emily taught 7th grade English in the summer of 2010 with Breakthrough and now proudly joins the leadership team as the Community Engagement Specialist. Emily graduated summa cum laude from Bethel University with degrees in Teaching English as a Second Language and Spanish Education, K-12. Emily has enjoyed her many experiences teaching English in Spain, Cambodia, and right here in St. Paul. Outside of work, Emily enjoys taking walks, eating ice cream, and playing cribbage.

Nalee Thao, Hmong Family Liaison, graduated from Macalester College in 2010, then completed of year of service through Americorps at Admission Possible as a college coach. Nalee taught during Summer 2010 at Breakthrough Saint Paul, and joined the staff in Fall 2011.

OUR EX OFFICIO STAFF MEMBER... Jeff Ochs, Founding Director, started Breakthrough Saint Paul in the summer of 2005. His initial vision for the program came as an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota, when he proposed expanding the national Breakthrough model to Saint Paul as part of a scholarship application. After graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in history, Jeff approached Mounds Park Academy and Saint Paul Public Schools with his proposal, which they accepted. Jeff’s three years of teaching experience with the Breakthrough program in Minneapolis laid the foundation for his six years of leadership of Breakthrough Saint Paul. As of August 2009, he is off to new personal and professional adventures in Beijing, China.