Meet the Planning Team- Amanda Hestwood

has been in District 833 at Park and Woodbury high schools for 10 years as a teacher and director. She is currently at WHS and anticipates teaching English and directing at East Ridge when it opens in the fall. Prior to that, she worked for Henry Sibley High School, Sylvan Learning Systems and The Children’s Theater Company.

Amanda is married and has 3 children: Dylan (8), Connor (4) and Riley Anne is twenty months. Amanda is excited about everything that is happening at ER. The Planning Team is really a dedicated and exceptional group of people that motivate her every day and the space itself is already very special. The excitement that has been generated by the whole East Ridge community is energizing and refreshing.

The one thing Amanda would like families to know about her is that she looks forward to the exciting years ahead at East Ridge. Go Raptors!

Meet the Planning Team- Matt Kraft

is one of the Assistant Principals at East Ridge. Matt has been educating students since 1992. It was several excellent teachers and coaches that he has had over the years in district #833 that led him into education. After graduating from Park High School in 1988 and attending Winona St. University, he completed his student teaching at Woodbury High School. He taught high school and middle school social studies for nine years while coaching football, basketball and baseball in district #197. He received his master’s degree in Educational Administration from Minnesota State University. He has been in administration for seven years as the Activities Director/Associate Principal of Henry Sibley High School and the Associate Principal at Friendly Hills Middle School.

Matt lives in the East Ridge attendance area and is extremely excited to help create a new school in which his daughter and neighbors children will be attending. He feels that unifying many people from different communities will be a rewarding challenge and that we have an awesome opportunity to create a high school to best serve our community.

Matt, would also like everyone to know that technology is improving exponentially in our world and in schools across America today, and we are preparing students for jobs that do not even exist yet. So, Schools must be on the cutting edge of technology and administrators must work hard to change how they deliver curriculum in today’s technologically advanced society.

Matt, accepts this challenge wholeheartedly and welcomes the opportunity to help make East Ridge High School a school of excellence”.

Meet the Planning Team- Terry Sinn

has been teaching in the district for 20 years (15 years as Jr. High Science, 2 years District Technology Integration Specialist, 3 years Media Specialist) and will be the Media Specialist at East Ridge this coming fall. He is a graduate from the University of MN. B.S. & M.S., Science Education, and received his Media Specialist licensure through the University MN Mankato.

Terry is married and has 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren he is excited about coming to ER because he enjoys variety, meeting new challenges and professional growth and he can make a contribution to the success of East Ridge

The one thing that Terry would like families to know about him is that he is here to help.

Meet the Planning Team- Paul Virgin

Paul Virgin

has taught mathematics for 24 years 20 of them in the south end of the district at Oltman, CGJH and Park. He has coached varsity Football, Basketball and Softball on and off for all 24 years. He is a member of the MCTM and NCTM along with serving on many state and local committees to improve mathematics education in the state of Minnesota. He is also a member of the MNHSCA and has been the president of the High School Softball Coaches for the state of Minnesota for the past three years.

Paul graduated high school from South St. Paul. He earned his under graduate degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and his Masters from Winona State University. He has been married to his beautiful wife for 23 years and has been blessed by two wonderful children Philip (11) and Michael (10). Both of their children will be attending East Ridge. In his spare time he enjoys golf and any other outdoor activities as long as he is with his family and friends.

The planning and opening of East Ridge feels right to Paul and he is thrilled to have such great support from out administration and parents. He feels the community we are building is going to be something special.

The one thing he would like families to know about him is that he is very passionate about education and our roles as parents, teachers, coaches and community members. He also feels like East Ridge is the place for him.