Speakers

Mary Kornmann is the instructional coach at Meadowbrook Elementary. Before this role, she taught Second grade at Meadowbrook for four years and taught Kindergarten, First grade, and Second grade in Robbinsdale. Mary lives in Golden Valley with her husband, Paul, and their spicy two-year-old daughter, Grace. They are expecting their second child in late April, so Mary welcomes any advice on managing two kids! When she's not playing or painting with her daughter, Mary loves to travel, learn new things, read Liane Moriarty books, and rearrange her home.

Natalie Sawatzky has served as the principal of Meadowbrook Elementary in the Hopkins School District for the past three years. Before that she served as an Assistant Principal (five years) and School Counselor (11 years); all at Meadowbrook! Natalie and her family live in Golden Valley and her children proudly attend Hopkins Schools. When she's not at school, she enjoys reading, learning, and watching her children participate in youth sports.  
https://meadowbrook.hopkinsschools.org/families/principal

Ms. Tester has a longstanding interest in children who come in contact with the legal system as victims, offenders or witnesses. She has her MA in Child Psychology and received her JD from Harvard University. Ms. Tester joined the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in 1993 and has spent her entire career as a trial attorney in the Child Protection Division. For the past eight years she has exclusively handled cases that fall under the Indian Child Welfare Act and facilitates ICWA trainings around the state as part of the Children’s Justice Initiative. Ms. Tester is on the Proof Alliance Board of Directors, the largest organization in the country focused on preventing prenatal alcohol exposure and supporting those impacted by it.

Jerry Rubino is a conductor/teacher/pianist/coach/singer regarded for his diverse musical interests, engaging artistry, and passionate enthusiasm for performing arts. Jerry founded and directs VOICES 360, is on the staff of the Wesley Balk Institute for the singer/actor, and teaches voice and piano at MacPhail Center for Music. He is a busy choral arranger and conductor working with the Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Chorale, Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, Voices of Experience, Nautilus Music Theater, the Hal Leonard Corporation, and Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church.