Gretchen Kellogg, long-time student support paraprofessional at Middle School East, uses humor to help Minnetonka students achieve success, and according to MME principal, Pete Dymit, it works. “She combines humor with an understanding of middle school adolescent behavior and mindset and just has a passion for kids,” he said. And the kids see it, too.  Gus is an 11-year-old sixth grader at MME. When asked what his favorite thing about Gretchen is, he would only say, “She’s funny!” Kellogg grew up in Marshall, MN-- the 13th out of 16 children. “My memories are wonderful. It was the fifties. It…

Dawn Sailer, fifth grade teacher at Clear Springs Elementary, will inspire, motivate and love your kids—that's according to Clear Spring Elementary's principal, Curt Carpenter. "Dawn embodies what we want in a Minnetonka teacher…she is student-centered, loves to learn herself and loves to share that with kids," Carpenter said. "Ms. Sailer is the best fifth grade teacher ever," reads a card hanging by Sailer's desk. It's written in fifth-grade handwriting.  Sailer grew up in Crystal, Minn., and it was there that she was first inspired to teach and to continue learning. "I've always loved …

Minnetonka native, Charlie Ostlund has driven a semi-truck for 18 years, logged two million miles, and he’s never had an accident. That’s just one of the reasons that Ostlund was recently named Minnesota’s Top Truck Driver 2010 by the Minnesota Trucker’s Association. Minnetonka Patch wanted to get to know this interesting resident—beyond just his recent award. So up into the passenger seat of his big- rig we climbed, spending a few hours with him as he handled his multi-ton vehicle through the highways and streets of Minneapolis’ western suburbs. Ostlund, is an interesting---if not remarkable…

I walked up the driveway looking forward to interviewing Grace McGarvie, retired teacher and senior citizen, who is giving an upcoming presentation of Antarctica at the Minnetonka Community Center.  As I approached the front door, I saw a wooden plaque in the shape of a duck, welcoming me.  Very Minnesotan, I thought.  But appearances can be deceiving. When Grace opened the door and invited me in, I walked into seven continents.  Memories of previous travels filled her walls, shelves and tables.  Egyptian prints, a wooden hippo, a clock with rosemaling and penguin figurines to name a few.  I …