Support Staff

Father John Bauer

Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary & NDA Canonical Administrator

Fr. John serves as the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and the Canonical Administrator of Notre Dame Academy. Having gone through Catholic Schools for most of his life, he is convinced of the value of a Catholic education. Being a part of Notre Dame Academy fills him with a whole lot of joy.

Father Paul Haverstock

Pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel

Father Paul Haverstock is the parochial administrator of St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Hopkins. A native of Eden Prairie, Fr. Paul was raised Lutheran (Missouri Synod) and converted to Catholicism in 2006 thanks to the witness of his college roommate. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Hebda in 2016. Fr Paul’s first assignment was in Shakopee, where he loved spending time in the parish school. He is so excited to be a part of Notre Dame Academy.

Wendy Dellis

Special Education

Denise Bielke

Reading Specialist

Nicole Sundby

Hopkins Nurse

Mindy Berkowitz, MSW

School Counselor

Ms. Berkowitz brings 25 years of medical social work experience to NDA. During her time in medical social work, Mindy worked with all age groups. She has spent the last three years working in Catholic schools. Ms. Berkowitz is part of the Phoenix Counseling Team and will be at NDA one day/week. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her grown boys and her dog.

Megan Miller

Food and Nutrition Manager

Bio coming soon!

Christy Mergen

Cafeteria Manager

Mrs. Mergen is the Assistant Food Service Manager in the Lions’ Den Cafe. After “retiring” from mortgage banking in 2003 to raise three girls (of which two attended NDA, PK through 8th grade) she is blessed to be working in a place she has called home since 2006. The most favorite part of her day is interacting with each student as if they were her own and capturing many precious moments as an NDA photographer.

Kathryn Henriksen

Cafeteria Team

Bio coming soon!

Email Lions Lair

Lions Lair

Before & After School Care

Notre Dame Academy provides quality extended-day child care and summer programs for our students, K-8th grade. The program provides teacher-directed activities as well as free play, homework help, arts and crafts, music, dance and technology.

Milton Stephens

Music/Lion’s Lair Lead

Mr. Milton Stephens is the lead member of the Lions Lair team at NDA. He enjoys getting to know students outside the classroom before and after school and during school breaks. He also serves as a substitute teacher at NDA and loves the challenge of whatever class the day may bring! At school Mass, you may spot Mr. Stephens at the piano serving as NDA’s Mass accompanist. Mr. Stephens grew up in Minnetonka, attended Hopkins High School, and graduated from the University of Minnesota, majoring in Mathematics. He feels so blessed to be a part of the NDA family!

Kathie Witta

Librarian

Mrs. Kathie Witta absolutely loves working with NDA students! After more than twenty-five years of working with seniors, Kathie, an IHM parishioner, has been with NDA since its first day. Thanks to her many grandchildren, Mrs. Witta relates well to kids and understands the importance of reading to help students in their life beyond school.