Special Students Deserve Special Teachers

Teachers on the MNVA special education team are dedicated to meeting students at their abilities levels to help them reach their fullest potential. They help tailor your child's lessons to meet his or her IEP, and are available every school day to help you through any challenges you may face. Here are a few of the special education teachers you'll get to know at the Minnesota Virtual Academy.

Special Education Teachers

Ann Laudon grew up in the country near Stoughton, Wisconsin. She graduated from high school in Mason City, Iowa. Ann spent two years at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota and then transferred to University of Minnesota Mankato to earn her degree in Speech/Language Pathology. Ann has continued her studies at the University of Minnesota in Moorhead. Ann began teaching in Redfield, South Dakota (K–12) then moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and was employed as the speech/language teacher at the preschool level. In 1989 she began teaching speech/language in Park Rapids, Minnesota and retired in 2007. In 2008 Ann joined the team at MNVA to provide speech/language services through telepractice using high speech internet connections and the use of a video camera.

Terese Phelps earned a bachelor's degree in special education with a license in Learning Disabilities and Developmental Cognitive disabilities for students in grades K–12. She has worked as a regional consultant for an AAC company for several years. During this time she assisted families and teams on how assistive technology can assist in the user to reach their goals and have the power of a voice. Terese completed her master's degree in special education online from Grand Canyon University. In 2009 she went back to the classroom, working with 7th grade special education students. Terese has been a part of the MNVA staff as a special education teacher since 2010.

Georgia Rehbein taught high school English for several years, and after raising a family, entered graduate school in the field of special education. She continues to take coursework and participate in seminars to learn new techniques that will help students with learning differences. Georgia has been a special education teacher for Minnesota Virtual Academy since 2003.

Lisa Silmser has a bachelor's degree in secondary language arts education and a master's degree in special education. She has been a teacher for several years in many school districts in the Twin Cities and has been a part of the MNVA staff as a part-time special education teacher since 2007.

Karen Swanson earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota with an Elementary Education and Developmental Cognitive Disability license. Following graduation, she was hired by Minneapolis Public Schools. She spent the first seven years working in a Non-Categorical Resource Room, and then held positions as a teacher on special assignment and instructional integration specialist before retiring from the district. During this period, Karen completed her master's degree in special education from the University of St. Thomas with licenses in Specific Learning Disabilities and Emotional/Behavior Disorders. After starting the Minnesota Virtual Academy, Karen returned to the University of St. Thomas to earn state certification in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Karen has authored and implemented various grants at the state and district level. She models lifelong learning and her love of providing successful experiences for children.