Meet the Staff
Our teachers are deeply committed to the oral approach and have the knowledge and dedication to make a significant difference for the children we serve. Our interdisciplinary team is licensed in their areas of expertise in the fields of deaf education and early childhood education. They continue their professional growth and expertise by attending workshops and classes.
Erin Loavenbruck
Executive Director
Erin has served as Director of Northern Voices since 2011. She has 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and earned a Master’s in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Pace University in New York. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of St. Thomas. Erin is responsible for school administration, fundraising and communications.
Breeana Zenner
Administrative Assistant
Breeana joined Northern Voices in 2023. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and has 15 years of experience working in early childhood education and administration.
Tanya Gahler
Small Classroom Listening & Spoken Language Teacher
Tanya began working with the Northern Voices summer School Program in 2003 and became a Small Classroom Teacher in the fall of 2006. She received her B.A. in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls in 2002. Tanya has a Master’s Degree in Early Intervention in Deaf Education from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO.
Amanda Tocko
Small Classroom Listening & Spoken Language Teacher
Amanda has taught at Northern Voices since 2003. She received her B.A. in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and earned her Master’s Degree in Early Intervention in Deaf Education from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO.
Rachida Messaoudi
Toddler Teacher
Rachida joined the staff at Northern Voices in 2024 as the Toddler Classroom teacher. She is originally from Algeria and speaks three languages. She brings experience working with children and holds a Master’s degree.
Kristen Strever
Preschool Teacher
Kristen joined the staff of Northern Voices in 2022 and brings years of teaching experience to the classroom. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and has the 0-3 Montessori diploma from the Montessori Institute in Denver, CO.
Mary Jo Brown
Small Classroom Listening & Spoken Language Teacher
Mary Jo's career as a teacher for the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing began in Grand Rapids, MI where she worked as a preschool teacher. She later worked at the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City teaching both preschool and elementary students and providing parent education and support. Most recently she was employed as Itinerant Teacher for the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing in the Washington County School system in MN.