4^th grade

Kwame Mensah - Hi! I’m Kwame Mensah. This is my second year with Environmental Math & Science. I am a graduate of Saint Louis University. After a visit to the school I felt ESM was the place for me.  I love teaching fourth grade because it is such a fun and curious age; they are excited and eager to learn everything about the world around them. I feel privileged to be able to teach your precious children.

I have been married to a wonderful woman, Pam, for 10 years this June. We have one daughter that enjoys the benefits of teaching as well.  ESM is such an amazing school, and I am so privileged to be able to have played a role in our Character Educational Program. I have developed a classroom management component called “Young Builders” in which positive character actions are rewarded and encouraged to grow.  A former college athlete, I enjoy Running, playing softball, coaching my little league football team, spending time with my family and friends, and I love to support the River City Rage! I even have a Rottweiler named Topaz!

I look forward to getting to know you and your family. I am excited not only to teach your children about academics but also basic life skills that they will need in the future.  I feel so blessed to be a part of a great 4^th grade team, a professional administration and staff here at ESM. I look forward to a prosperous and rewarding year!

Amanda Barton - My name is Amanda Barton.  I graduated in 2006 from Missouri Baptist University with my Bachelor’s of Science in Education.  This is my second year teaching 4^th grade.  I have a two year old son named Chase.  He keeps me very busy when I am not working.  In the spare time that I do have, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and playing with Chase.  That’s a little about me!

Ryan Deem - My name is Ryan Deem and I am a 4^th grade teacher at IAESM! This is my second year teaching for an urban Imagine School and I absolutely love working in the city. I honestly could not imagine teaching in any other environment. In addition to teaching in the city, my wife, Julie, and I live in and support our downtown area every chance that we get. As for my education, I graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Advertising in 2000 and I received a bachelors degree in Elementary Education from UMSL in 2007. The aspect that I love most about teaching is that there are new challenges every day!

Amanda Patty – I am a graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis where I graduated with Honors.  I enjoy music, teaching, family, and Winnie the Pooh.  I love teaching.  I want to share my passion and skill to the young minds of day. I also want to prepare the youth with the necessary tools for their bright futures.

Kristoffer Quint – Kristoffer Quint joined ESM at the beginning and is proud to be a 4th grade teacher. He is excited to work in a school that serves his own neighborhood. Before he joined ESM, Mr. Quint was a teacher in an independent school in Clayton that focuses on a hands on learning approach, where the teacher is a learning partner of the children. He learned a lot at that school that helps him bring the real world and school books together for ESM's students! Previous to teaching, Mr. Quint was a Speech Language Pathologist, and worked in the development of language. He also helped create 4 books that students, teachers, parents and clinicians use to structure their learning and teaching. In his time off, Mr. Quint tutors, does graphic art and photography, and rescues Greyhound dogs.

Amy Hodge - Amy Hodge, 4^th grade teacher at IAESM.  This is my first year teaching with Imagine but my eighth year teacher.  Previously, I taught 3^rd grade in Fox Lake, IL.  I graduated with my undergrad degree from Harris Stowe State College and recently received my graduated degree from St. Xavier University in Chicago.   Along with my love for teaching and learning, I enjoy reading, playing various sports and traveling.  A fun fact about me is that I have visited 16 different baseball stadiums.

Gail Hotze - I graduated from MOBAP in the Spring of 2006 and I am now working on my Master's degree as well. I will finish in the spring. This is my third year with Imagine. I grew up in a small rural area in Teutopolis, IL and I have been living in St. Louis for 9 years now. I love hanging out with my family and friends, working out, playing with my dog Maggie. Choosing teaching as my career was the best choice I have made in my life so far.

 New Teacher Bio's coming soon!

5^th grade

Dana Bodewes - Dana Bodewes grew up in Saint Louis Hills and currently lives in south city.  Ms. Bodewes moved to Denver, Colorado after high school to attend Regis University, majoring in education, psychology, English, and philosophy.  After graduation and student teaching, Ms. Bodewes moved to Springfield, Illinois where she substitute taught and completed a graduate assistantship program in education administration.  Ms. Bodewes was selected for a two-semester administrative internship working with Illinois's State Superintendent of Education.  Ms. Bodewes then taught fourth and fifth grade in Springfield Public Schools before moving on to work with the St. Louis Virtual School in 2007.  This year, Ms. Bodewes is teaching fifth grade at IAESM while also working on her second master's degree at UMSL. 

Jennifer Martin - Hello, I am Jennifer Martin. I graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, where I was also a student-athlete. I have lived in five different states such as: Alabama, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina and most recently, Missouri.

 I truly value education. I want to inspire my students to see value in their education and plant the seeds within them to encourage lifelong learning. Afterschool I coach junior varsity girls basketball at Maplewood High School. In my extra time I enjoy reading, traveling, exercising, and shopping. 

Laura Simon - My name is Laura Simon.  I have taught in four states including Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Washington.  I am originally from Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  In my spare time I like to walk, read, and play with my dog, Tucker Mugg the Pug.  My favorite places to travel are to Hawaii and Walt Disney World.