Resource Team
Meet our amazing Support Team. These experienced practitioners work with students who have learning challenges as well as those with social, emotional, or behavioral needs. The team also supports teachers by providing resources and training to maximize opportunities for students to succeed in the learning environment.
Michael Brown, M.A., Lower School Learning Specialist, earned his B.A. in sociology from the University of Illinois and an M.A. in special education–learning disabilities from Mankato State University. He has a current Minnesota teaching license in elementary education and special education, L.D., E.B.D. He has also earned a certificate in gifted education from Hamline University. Michael joined the Heilicher team in 1994. He likes being a valued asset of the community, helping children with learning challenges like math enrichment, and teaching chess to kindergarten classes. He is also the proud father of young ladies and enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, and gardening.
Andrea Hansen, M.A., School Counselor, earned her B.A. in English language and literature from Oklahoma City University, her J.D. from Creighton University, and her M.A. from Adler Graduate School. Prior to joining Heilicher, she substitute taught in Minneapolis and served as a School Counselor at Garlough Environmental Magnet School and a Behavior Teacher at Stevenson Elementary in Fridley. Her work in education followed 10+ years working at Thomson Reuters as an Academic Account Manager, where she worked with law students. Andrea believes each student is unique and talented and helps students learn skills to help them achieve in the classroom as well as become good global citizens. In her free time, she enjoys reading, biking, exploring good food in Minneapolis, and spending time with her husband and son.
Dana Provus, M.A., Middle School Learning Specialist/6-8 Team Lead, earned her B.A. in elementary education from the University of Iowa. She also has a master's degree from Concordia University in reading and literacy and another from National Louis University in school administration and supervision. Dana began her career in Skokie, Illinois, teaching sixth-grade language arts and then went on to teach third grade in a neighboring district. Before moving to Minnesota, she served as a literacy coach in Deerfield, Illinois, collaborating with administration to improve student learning, coaching teachers to improve upon their craft, and helping both struggling and gifted students. Outside of school, Dana loves to cook, exercise, and spend time with her husband and young children.
Courtney Shaw, Director of Student Services, earned her B.S. in Latin education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, her M.A. in education from Hamline University, and a professional certificate in neurodiversity and learning disabilities with an emphasis on executive skills coaching from Landmark College. For more than 15 years, she has been supporting and empowering students to recognize and appreciate themselves as unique learners, maximizing their strengths and addressing their challenges. She has worked at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, Southview Middle School in Edina, Blake, and Groves Academy. In her free time she enjoys running, searching for her textile craft talent, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.