Leadership Team
Marika Staloch
Where do you work & what is your role?
I am the Teen Technology Project Manager at the Saint Paul Public Library. I work half-time on dreaming big and taking small steps toward making these dreams a reality. The other part of my job, you'll find me at the reference desk at Rondo, remembering why the need for a safe space for teens and access to technology is so important.
What drives you in your work with/for youth?
I've been a youth-worker since the age of three, when my first sister was born. Ever since then, I've believed that people are people, no matter the age. I've always seen it as a disservice to teens when adults can't figure out how to connect and communicate with them. My passion lies in helping teens connect to opportunities that may make their life better/easier/enhanced.
Teenage Dreams:
I was a loving and angry teen. My deep-seated convictions for social justice made me an active community member, but also very concerned when I saw injustices. I was a group-hopper, from the athletes, to the drama-geeks, I loved dance, choir and band and hanging out with my friends. My celebrity crushes were awkward and misguided; I loved music and would fall in love with any John Hughes movie or overly emotional rock-love ballad.
Debbie Willms
Where do you work & what is your role?
I am currently the Deputy Director of the Saint Paul Public Library
What drives you in your work with/for youth?
I am always looking at how the future can be better than the present. In order for this to be reality, our children and youth have to have all of the support and opportunities we can provide to be successful. The Library is my tool for equipping youth for success.
Teenage Dreams:
When I was a teen, I dreamed of being an adult, without any real sense of what that meant. I hung out with other nerds like me--the kids taking Latin and reading Sartre (for fun.) I had crushes on Fess Parker and Clint Eastwood--go figure.
Kathy Korum
Where do you work & what is your role?
Deputy Director, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
What drives you in your work with/for youth?
A lot of things are as important as helping our young people succeed, but nothing is more important. I am committed to doing my part to create a culture that supports and values its young people.
Teenage Dreams:
Me as a teenager - I was an interesting combination of competitive athlete and theatrical performer...serious about my studies, a bit on the stubborn side, not popular with my two younger brothers, but very popular with neighborhood families as a babysitter. I'm not sure I was attached to any particular crowd, but had my irons in a few different fires. Celebrity Teenage Crush - Michael Landon
Advisory Group
Keith Braafladt
Where do you work & what is your role?
I work at the Science Museum of Minnesota - I direct the Learning Technologies Center, a department that brings together science, art and technology to develop workshops, experiences and tools for youth and adult educators ( both formal - k12 and informal - community centers to libraries).
What drives you in your work with/for youth?
I have a background in fine art and many years of experience as an informal educator. Building learning relationships and communities is what has driven me as an individual. It's an old saw but working with people in creative endeavors is a live long passion - the need is great, the experience is great and the promise for the present and future is everything.
Teenage Dreams:
I grew up in Duluth so my dreams were to be able to paint like Winslow Homer, build like Antonio Gaudi, work like Alexander Calder or Richard Feyman, and travel like John Glenn. My celebrity teen crush? Maybe Cher or Joni Mitchel or Patti Smith.... and I hung out with a small group that was not part of either the traditional athletic crowd or the popular crowds but more into physical comedy Monte Python etcetera and the folks who build cars for off-roading.
Mary Tinucci, MSW, LICSW
Where do you work & what is your role?
I am a social worker & Program Coordinator of The LAB @ Journeys Secondary School in St. Paul Public Schools. The LAB is an arts & wellness-based program serving the needs of youth with significant emotional/behavioral disorders, grades 7-12.
What drives you in your work with/for youth?
My commitment to young people is to really "see" them, and to see them in their strengths. I want to give them opportunities to find creative and healthy ways to understand themselves, their peers and how to express themselves in ways that serve them. I believe that all youth have something to say that the world ought to hear, and I want to give youth engaging and healthy ways to find and share their voice.
Teenage Dreams:
I was going to be a famous musician/singer - but alas, that didn't happen - I didn't like to practice!
Mike Wassenaar
Where do you work & what is your role?
I work at St Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), a community media and technology center in downtown Saint Paul. I am the Executive Director of the non-profit agency. We are devoted to community based media and technology learning, both for youth and the public in general.
What drives you in your work with/for youth?
Because of SPNN's continuing work with youth created media, and teaching youth to use media technology to communicate and make a difference in their world, I have an abiding interest in youth work. Part of that passion comes from our mission of empowering people, but it's also a personal belief because of my own experiences growing up in poverty and in difficult familiy circumstances. An opportunity to express myself through creative writing and then radio when I was in my early teens changed the trajectory of my life, and helps me today to be a better leader and person. And remembering the creative joy I first felt then keeps my interest in youth work going as well.
Teenage Dreams:
I was terribly shy, stammered, had a lazy eye and didn't feel like I had many friends. For a long time I thought I would be a scientist, and loved math and the physical sciences. But somewhere in my teens, I feel in love with expression and creativity, and got involved in writing, radio and theater. The people I hung out with in High School were self-described theater, band, debate club and science geeks. Starting at 16, I worked in radio just about every day, producing news, music and sports programs. And I started listening to a LOT of music. No celebrity teen crushes, but I was a huge Elvis Costello fan.
Other Key Players
Jennifer (Jen) Nelson
Where do you work & what is your role?
Jen brings her extensive experience working in libraries and technology programming to the project. In her role as Partnership Coordinator for Digital Inclusion at the Minneapolis Public Library she coordinated adult and youth technology programming, including the Game Studio Literacy Evaluation project and the Micro Entrepreneur Resource Center, an interactive business plan builder. With support from the Best Buy Children's Foundation and in partnership with the Science Museum of Minnesota/Learning Technologies Center, she developed and implemented the Teen Tech Squad, a teen employment program. Currently a senior grant writer at Project for Pride in Living, she continues to consult with libraries and other informal learning organizations on teens, technology, library programming and the future of libraries.
What drives you in your work with/for youth?
My passion is about helping kids to look inside themselves and see what's there, and then help them figure out how to bring it outside themselves so they can share their wonderful-ness with the world. Because all teens have wonderfulness and that's what makes the world go round. Libraries, i think, have a special obligation to provide places, spaces and people that can help this happen.
Teenage Dreams:
I was always trying to be somewhere else and someone else ....but made my way to college and found a place where I belonged.
Erik Skold
Where do you work & what is your role?
I work at the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College, but am "on loan" full time to Sprockets Saint Paul's Out-of-School Time Network where I am the Associate Director for Quality. I have leadership role within Sprockets and oversee the efforts to improve the quality of youth programs in Saint Paul and support the professional development of youth workers.
What drives you in your work with/for youth?
I am driven by my belief and excitement in the power of education and the tremendous potential that is unlocked in young people when they are engaged in meaningful ways to learn and have opportunities to contribute to their community. I believe that creating these types of learning experiences is crucial to supporting our democracy.
Teenage Dreams:
I was a skeptical and at times oppositional teenager. I was more interested in challenging adults than working with them. I had a very close group of friends that hung out on the edges of a lot different crowds. I did not have a strong dream or vision for my future. I was more worried about what not to become than focused on what I wanted to become.