Team

Lynn McGuire

Hi! I’m so glad you’re here. My name is Lynn McGuire, and I’m a 5th grade teacher at Armstrong Elementary in Cottage Grove. I’ve been teaching for 28 years, and it continues to be one of the greatest joys of my life. I hold both a K–12 Reading License and a 1–6 Elementary Education License, and I also earned my Master’s degree in Education. Over the years, I’ve taught reading intervention and supported students of all abilities in building confidence and skills.

Outside the classroom, I’m a proud mom of three college kids. My husband, also a former teacher, recently transitioned into a new career in finance. Our home is always full of learning, laughter, and lots of love!

I started Mama Bear’s Tutoring three years ago after noticing a growing need in my own classroom. While I love teaching in the classroom, I’ve found that working one-on-one with students is truly where my passion lies. It allows me to give each child the individual attention they deserve, free from the distractions of a busy school day. I specialize in both reading and math, and nothing makes me happier than seeing those “aha!” moments when a student truly gets it.

I look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s learning journey!g and a strong work ethic.

Sara Bebeau

Sara Bebeau is an experienced educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. Throughout her career, she has taught kindergarten, second grade, and currently teaches fourth grade at Crestview Elementary. She earned her undergraduate teaching license from Winona State University and holds a master’s degree in Curriculum Development and Teacher Leadership from Moorhead State University. Sara lives in South St. Paul with her family. She and her husband, who works for Xcel Energy, have two daughters—Sophie (17) and Julia (15)—who are both active in softball and cross country. Outside the classroom, Sara enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. She is deeply passionate about inspiring students to develop a love for learning and a strong work ethic.

Tom Ross

Tom Ross is a dedicated public school literacy coach with a strong passion for helping students become confident, capable readers. He holds a K–12 Reading License and is Orton-Gillingham Certified, specializing in structured literacy instruction tailored to meet the diverse needs of all learners. With a student-centered approach and a commitment to evidence-based practices, Tom strives to foster literacy success for every child he supports.

Jennifer Berling

Jennifer Berling is a seasoned educator with 20 years of teaching experience, currently teaching third grade at Armstrong Elementary. Over the course of her career, she has taught a range of grade levels including second through sixth grade, bringing a wealth of knowledge and versatility to the classroom. She earned her undergraduate teaching license from Winona State University and holds a master’s degree from St. Mary’s University.
Jennifer lives in Cottage Grove with her husband, Pete, and their two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. She is passionate about working with children and is dedicated to helping each student learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Clare Hartjes

Clare Hartjes is a school psychologist at Lake Middle School who is passionate about early intervention and evidence-based practices in education. Her training and professional experience uniquely prepare her to design and deliver data-driven instructional strategies that help students succeed. Clare has worked with students across the K–12 spectrum and has extensive experience supporting learners with diverse needs. Clare leads math and reading interventions at Lake Middle School, guided by explicit instructional techniques and the science of reading and math. Clare’s training and daily work in schools equip her to design thoughtful, data-informed tutoring curricula tailored to students’ individual needs.

Krista Feustel

Krista Feustel has 30 years of teaching experience. Throughout her career, she has taught first, fourth, and currently third grade at OH Anderson Elementary in Mahtomedi. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education.

Krista is passionate about working one-on-one with students who need extra support in reading, writing, or math. She strives to make learning both fun and rewarding for every child. One of the most meaningful parts of her work is partnering with families and students and watching a child’s confidence grow.

Krista lives in Mahtomedi with her husband and three children. In her free time, she enjoys walking, tackling home improvement projects, and spending time with family and friends.