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School Board election candidateS
Dan Haugen
Dan Haugen – Candidate for School Board
With over 23 years of experience in sales and management, I currently serve as a Sales Director for an outdoor power equipment company. My professional background has equipped me with strong leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills that I am eager to bring to our school board.
As a current parent of a first-grade student, I have a personal stake in the success of our schools. I’m deeply invested in creating an environment where students, staff, and families feel supported and empowered.
I have a passion for helping youth thrive in all areas of life. My goal as a board member is to contribute meaningfully to the growth and improvement of both staff and students—ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed academically and personally.
I am committed to planning for the future by addressing key issues such as fundraising, staffing, and facility needs. I believe in working collaboratively with the community to strengthen our schools and prepare our students for lifelong success.
THREE RIVERS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Board Members
Timothy Eilrich
Timothy Eilrich
Timothy Eilrich
Timothy is a business professional working in the Food and Dairy industry since 2004. He manages a technical sales team based out of Champlin, MN who is responsible for providing goods and services across North and South America.
Timothy and his wife have been raising their 4 children in Elk River since 2014. He and his wife have home schooled for 2 years prior to getting into TRM. This Fall he will have 3 children attending TRM.
He’s a bowler, throwing in leagues at McPetes and Andover Lanes. He also enjoys being outdoors; gardening, fishing, camping, hunting and playing sports with his children.
Tim agrees with a local approach to schooling and recognizes the importance of being involved in our children’s education. He believes in TRM’s Montessori mission and looks forward to being a part of it.
Parent Member
Treasurer
Lydia Skadberg
Timothy Eilrich
Timothy Eilrich
Lydia is one of our dedicated licensed teachers here at TRM. Lydia is a mom of four TRM students and a fierce advocate for the Montessori environment. Her family started at the school at its inception. As a teacher who left traditional public education after seeing some of the brokenness in traditional education, she saw beauty in the Montessori environment at TRM. She has been a substitute teacher here at TRM since 2021, returned as a part-time teacher in 2023, and made the transition to a full time lead teacher in 2024. She also enrolled in a full-time masters program for Montessori Education at UW-RF in 2024.
Lydia joined the school board in 2023. She aims to protect and promote the integrity of the Montessori model within the charter setting, bridge the gap between policy and practice, and continue to inform Board decisions with real classroom realities.
Teacher Member
Brooke Blomker
Timothy Eilrich
Nikki Patterson
Brooke holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology and has worked in Early Childhood Education for the last 10 years, working as a teacher, School Leader, and most recently in Human Resources. Currently Brooke works as a HR Project Manager / Learning Specialist at a nationwide education company with operations in 14 states, including many Montessori Schools.
Brooke resides in Elk River with her husband and two children. She is excited to leverage her knowledge and experience to continue working toward TRM’s mission and vision.
Community Member
Secretary
brooke.blomker@threeriversmontessori.org
Nikki Patterson
Nikki Patterson
Nikki Patterson
Nikki has been with Three Rivers for the last 3 years. She started as a paraprofessional and has worked her way through school to become one of our new E1 teachers.
Nikki is currently enrolled in a Montessori Master’s program and is looking forward to applying her knowledge to the classroom and her student at TRM.
She hopes to continue to develop a diverse pathway to Montessori training that fits each teacher's need, and the school’s need for highly qualified Montessorians as well.
Teacher Member
Jenny Hepokoski
Nikki Patterson
Jenny Hepokoski
Jenny Hepokoski
Jenny holds a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and has worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in both a medical and educational setting, including 4 ½ years in a public elementary school. Currently, Jenny works as an Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Consultant for a private speech generating device company.
Jenny resides in Otsego with her husband and three children, two of whom currently attend Three Rivers Montessori. She has a passion for working with children, particularly in the area of reading and literacy, and she believes strongly in having an active role in our children’s education. She strongly believes in Three Rivers Montessori’s mission and is committed to the success of our students and school.
Parent Member
Chair
jenny.hepokoski@threeriversmontessori.org
Jan Creed
Nikki Patterson
Jenny Hepokoski
Dr. Jan Creed
Jan has been a teacher at Three Rivers Montessori for three years. Prior to working at TRM, Jan owned and was the school Principal and a teacher at Heritage Montessori School in Big Lake, MN, which had preschool through grade 5. Jan owned and operated Heritage from 2005 to 2022 when it closed.
Jan has both her Minnesota Elementary License and Children’s House Montessori Certification. Jan has a passion for education and has worked in education nearly all of her adult life teaching in all grade levels from preschool to grade 6. She also worked in Title 1 at Lincoln Elementary. Additionally, Jan has her Masters Degree, Principal Licensure through St. Cloud State, and her doctorate through St. Mary’s University.
Jan has been married for over 50 years and raised 4 children to adulthood and has one child still at home. She joined the school board in 2024 with the desire to ensure TRM maintains the Montessori philosophy and pedagogy.
Teacher Member
jan.creed@threeriversmontessori.org
Patrick Locken
Patrick Locken
Patrick Locken
Patrick Locken
Patrick is currently an engineer (AutoCAD) at a commercial woodworking/fixture company in Fridley. With an Associate’s Degree from Hennepin Technical College, along with several CNC certifications. He started at the company 14 years ago in the shop as a machine operator and slowly worked his way into his current role.
Patrick and his wife built a home in Elk River 10 years ago. Now with 2 children, 1 of which attends TRM.
Patrick wanted to join the Board of Directors to share his perspective as a parent from a blue-collar background. As a board member, Patrick’s perspective is that the board should ensure TRM students are receiving a non biased education rooted in facts and truth. He is passionate about providing all students an education that will help them excel, no matter what path or profession they ultimately pursue.
Parent Member
Now accepting enrollment applications!
Welcome to our website! We are now enrolling for the 2025/2026 school year!