2025 has brought many new changes to SPA; one of those changes is the addition of new teachers this semester. Some are here as replacements for other teachers, and some will be here permanently. Let us get to know some of the new faces with a Q&A.

Henri Parenteau is covering Director of Robotics Kate Lockwood’s classes this spring while she is on sabbatical. Parenteau graduated from the University of Minnesota and has a wide variety of skills in the STEM field.

Q: Where did you work before coming to SPA?

A: Before this, I worked as an IT and data guy for a card printing company in Eagan.

Q: What are you going to be teaching here at school now?

A: I’m teaching Advanced Programming, Product Engineering, and Data Science.

Q: Is there anything else that you want the students of SPA to know about you? Any interesting hobbies or things that people might originally not notice about you?

A: I like to bake a lot, especially bread. It would be amazing if someone could bring in ingredients for sourdough.

Parenteau got the opportunity to be a teacher through Mr. Werner, with whom he went to college at the University of Minnesota and still maintains a close friendship.

Matt Weiss, another new teacher on campus, came in mid-year after history teacher Tam Duong left for the semester.

Q: Why did you come to work here?

A: I came to SPA, because I really liked the vibe here. Ever since the first interview I have really enjoyed the feeling of this school. I have also really liked the students here, I think they are great.

Q: Where did you work before coming to SPA?

A: I taught at an international school in Arizona called Verde Valley. It was a really cool experience. There were kids from China, Saudi Arabia and a lot of other countries.

Weiss has been involved with education for a long time, teaching at Vere Valley for eleven years and now working in the history department here. Mr. Weiss will teach World History I for the rest of the semester.