Teachers

Yan Li was born and grew up in a highly educated family from Beijing, China. Her mother had been an economic professor who worked at a university until she retired. Her father had been a theoretician and worked for the government. She attended the Southwest University for Nationalities and Nanjing University and was awarded B.A. of history and the certificate of Higher Education Instructor in the field of History of International Relations. She received her M.A. in cultural anthropology in 1988. She has been a university professor for the past 10 years and has taught students world history, Tibet history and culture, Chinese mandarin language, culture and art (Chinese painting and calligraphy). She studied Chinese art at the Oriental Art School in Chengdu, China. She came to the US in 1999 and went to graduate school in North Carolina where she received a Masters degree in Library and Information Science in 2003. Since then she has worked in the Children’s department in of the public libraries in Lexington and Rochester. Yan Li always regards that education is the most important thing for a person and a country. She has ambition and passion for teaching and education. Yan Li also is an amateur writer. She has published over 30 novels, short stories, poems, and screenplays both in Chinese and English.

Anna Lichtsinn

Ms. Lichtsinn grew up on a farm in west-central Minnesota. She credits working on the farm with her father for developing her excellent work ethic, communication skills, and desire and motivation to complete a task
above and beyond expectations. Ms. Lichtsinn graduated Magna Cum Laude from Minnesota State University in Moorhead with a BS degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught both in preschool as well as 1st grade classrooms. Prior to entering teaching, Ms. Lichtsinn obtained her Practical Nursing Degree from Minnesota State Community College in 2003, and has enjoyed her work as an LPN for the last few years. Ms. Lichtsinn is excited to open the world of written language to our preschool and junior kindergartners.

Tricia Kohner

Tricia Kohner grew up in Red Wing, Minnesota. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. She then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Instruction and a Minnesota middle school science license. Her Master’s thesis focused on the use of problem-based learning in the science classroom. She is a member of the βββ Biological Honor Society. Ms. Kohner has a strong passion and enthusiasm for working with children. She feels the classroom is the place for her to help make a difference in the lives of children. Ms. Kohner has creative and exciting ideas to bring to the science classroom and is very excited to be part of the staff at Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy.

Tasha Patten

Mrs. Patten grew up in West Fargo, NDand went on to Drake University in Des Moines, IA to become a lawyer before deciding to be a teacher.  She then transfered to Minnesota State University Moorhead where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Elementary Education with a Pre-Primary Emphasis and a coaching minor.  Mrs. Patten has worked with children of all ages for the last 13 years.  From working with the foster children that her family had growing up to teaching Sunday School, Kindergarten enrichment at a center, substitute teaching, mentoring, and coaching cross country and track & field she has worked with children from infants up to 18 years old.   Mrs. patten looks forward to enriching the lives of the students at RASA through a love for literature. 
Mrs. Patten is married, has a son who is 14 months old and  a one old baby girl.  She is now training for the Twins Cities Marathon for the first weekend in October 2008!