I am a member of First Baptist Church in Park Rapids and am the administrator of Pinewood Academy. In addition, I teach the middle school cluster. I have worked as a teacher for over 20 years. I taught in public education as a high school special education teacher for 14 years. After having my little girl, the Lord put on my heart to start up a Christian academy. While doing so has been an enormous undertaking, it has been exciting and wonderful to see the Lord prepare and provide. I love teaching and it is my calling and passion. My desire is to come alongside parents and help prepare my students academically and spiritually for life in a world growing more and more antagonistic to the things of God.

I grew up on a corn and soy bean farm in Southern Minnesota. I invited Jesus into my heart at the age of 8. My favorite school subjects, when growing up, were: History/Social Studies, and Writing. I went to Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, to earn my teaching degree. This is where I met my husband, Matt. We moved to Park Rapids in 2001. I taught Preschool in Nevis until I found out our son, Logan, was on his way. We also have a daughter, Aliesha. I have homeschooled both of them. Seven years ago, we moved to a rural location between Menahga and Sebeka. Our family attends Faith Bridge Church in Park Rapids. My hobbies include: gardening, creative writing, and family genealogy.

Hi! I'm Kandy Magnan and have found my calling as kindergarten teacher at Pinewood Academy. I love teaching the youngest children and am passionate about making learning fun! I received my Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies from Oak Hills Christian College in Bemidji, MN. My husband, Tony and I live near Pine River, MN and have 6 children and 7 grandchildren. We attend church at Grace Community Church in Osage, MN where we teach children's church. My free time is filled with my family, 2 horses and one dog. I enjoy kayaking, biking, hiking, camping, exploring state parks and traveling to other states when possible.

Hi, my name is Renata Nevala, I work as a teachers aid at Pinewood Academy. I am fortunate to be able to work at a school where God is praised and our flag is respected.

Mr. Jake was born in Fargo, ND. Grew up in the Dakotas, Montana and Oregon, graduated High School in Custer, SD. Took many college courses at NDSU, BSC (Bismarck, ND), and MSU (Minot, ND), majored in Music, but decided after having discovered the bulk of what had eluded him in the subject of his greatest curiosity, to cut out early and begin a career which so far has peaked as a lead guitar player of Tommy Tutone’s (the 867-5309 guy) “Tutone Two” comeback band.

Music still occupies as much of his spare time as possible, but other hobbies include engine building and classic car restoration, amateur radio communication, physical fitness, dogs, writing and reading, forging/welding/machining and machine tool restoration, woodwork, building (and breaking) stuff, woodsmanship/bush craft/survivalism, archery and hunting/fishing/camping, ecology/permaculture, and lifestyle design/organization. Most of all though, he enjoys hanging out with his son the best.

It was after he became a father that the weight of being responsible for the entire life of another person rested on him that the importance of teaching his son the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ became paramount in his mind, where it hadn’t really been at all before. Since then he has given his life to Christ and learned together with his son the truth which he had long been scared of, or too proud to uncover.

It has been said that if one wishes to make God laugh, simply tell Him your plans... Fast forward through the couple decades after college and many, many career paths, job changes, and re-locations, Jake found himself in a Head Start classroom in Menahga, Minnesota working as an assistant teacher of three-five year old children; loving it but still missing something. That, through a connection via the Menahga Farmer’s Market, where he and his wife Sarah sell the freshest naturally grown veggies available (shameless plug..), Jake was nudged toward Pinewood Academy (still going to hold off on the goats for now though, Miss Meri..) where he is now very excited to share the trove of lessons of his experiences in the form of all sorts of really cool elective classes which will be available as they are prepared.

I grew up in Menahga, Minnesota, and was raised in the church, where my faith became the foundation of my life. I attend Eastside Christian Church and am passionate about helping students grow both academically and spiritually. I earned my degree in Psychology from North Dakota State University, where I discovered my passion for working with children and helping them learn, grow, and reach their potential. I am excited to teach 5th–7th grade at Pinewood Christian Academy and look forward to creating a classroom that encourages curiosity, kindness, and a Christ-centered love of learning. I feel blessed to partner with families as we help students grow in both their education and their faith.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children!" Matthew: 19:14

These words have been a part of my life for almost 68 years! My name is Haakon P. Vaadeland. I truly do understand the value of private Christian education. I attended 9 years of Catholic Parochial School in Freeport, Illinois. I have been a resident of the Park Rapids, MN community since the summer of 1973. Our family bought and owned a resort on Two Inlets Lake. I attended 3 years of high school at Park Rapids, graduating with honors in the National Honor Society. Yet, my greatest achievement in life was asking Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior in November of 1975, it was my Senior year of high school. My life has never been the same! After high school, I immediately began traveling as an Evangelist with Palmer E. Vaadeland. So, just like Paul and Timothy in the bible, I was mentored & education on the road of Christian life. A few years later I was adopted into the Vaadeland family. During my Evangelistic ministry, I traveled over 1 million miles, covering 49 states (not Alaska), most of the Canadian Provinces, Norway, England, & Mexico for over 30 years.

          God led me to a Secondary vocation, by joining the Minnesota State High School League as a 5-sport official. For the last 45 years, I have officiated baseball, basketball, football, softball, and volleyball with a running total of over 40,000 games under my belt! All to God's Glory! From Little League, high school, college, and Semi-Pro levels. I believe this involvement with student-athletes has blessed my life so very much! Nevertheless, God had a new season and chapter in my life last Summer! My Christian friend, Joyce Kruger encouraged me to apply as a substitute teacher at our Pinewood Christian Academy. I met, prayed, and was interviewed by the best principal I have ever worked with, our very own Kelly Citrowske! By Christmas break, our Miss Kelly asked me if I would consider being the PCA physical education teacher. I prayerfully said, "YES!" Once again, my life has never been the same! The teaching staff, parents, community, they are just so amazing! I begin my 2nd year back at PCA with great expectations as the P. E. teacher! We truly have the very best students, who represent God our heavenly Father, and who also reflect the parents in their lives every day! Last year, one student asked me, how being in a P. E. class will ever help you in life? My response was "you might be surprised" it's all for God's Glory! I can't wait for Tuesday, September 8th! It's GREEEEAT! Blessings and Favors in the school year of 2026-27!

"Officially" Yours,

Haakon

My name is Meri Carstensen.  The 2026-2027 school year will be my seventh year at Pinewood.  Time flies when you're having fun!

A little about myself.  I graduated from Browerville Public Schools.  I then attended Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND.  I graduated in 2000 with a double major in Elementary Education and Biblical Studies. In Oct. of 2000 Ken and I got married.  Kids soon followed.  Ken and I have 4 adult children. Sara (25), John (24), Kolt (23) and Gauge (20).  The boys are still living at home, although John has a “tiny” house behind our garage that he lives in. It’s nice having the boys close, but they have given me a glimpse into empty nest syndrome when they are all at work or gone doing their own thing.  Sara is working in Little Falls at a Farrowing Facility, I miss her help on the farm with the animals, especially during calving and kidding season.   

My husband Ken and I farm east of Menahga.  We have A2A2 Heritage Beef Shorthorns and A2A2 Jersey Cows that I milk for our house, sell their milk, and make cheese and butter from. We also have Dairy Goats that I milk and make goat milk soap for farmer’s markets.  We have turkeys, pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, barn cats, and a dog to round out the farm livestock! I guess you can say we keep busy farming.  Ken also drives semi, he tells me that's what feeds my cows!!  :)  I have worked in the preschool setting for 15 years before we moved to Menahga in 2017.  I worked at the Public School before I accepted a position at Pinewood. On Sundays I attend Pinewood Church where I help with the children's programming. I look forward to having each of your children in my classroom.