Rebecca Hope, President

Rebecca started Mid-Metro Academy in 2020 with her daughter, Miranda Brist. Rebecca holds a Master's degree in Literature from the University of Minnesota and a BA in Language Arts/Secondary Education from Bethel University.

In addition to her director role, she also teaches English and study skills classes for MMA. Her teaching experience includes home educating her five children, teaching at multiple co-ops and homeschool academies over thirty years, and serving as an English professor at three local universities.

When YEAH Academy closed its doors in the spring of 2020, Rebecca couldn't bear to see Twin Cities families lose the classes that had become so important in their teenagers' lives. Trusting in divine providence, she and Miranda gathered many teachers and loyal families to launch Mid-Metro Academy despite the COVID-era lockdown.

Rebecca values tradition but loves innovation. She believes both are essential in crafting the best learning experiences for today’s youth. Rebecca’s Christian faith and worldview guide her personal and professional life. An award-winning published author, she enjoys writing inspirational pieces in varied genres: fiction, memoir, and poetry. More information about her writing and faith journey is posted on her author page.

Miranda Brist, Vice President

Miranda "Randi Jo" Brist is passionate about geo-literacy education, geographic information science, international travel, Global South media, learning technologies, and curriculum development.

She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Social Science from Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN. Between 2016-2018 she lived in South Africa where she completed her Master's in Migration and Displacement (WITS class of 2018), a sub-discipline of Human Geography. Ms. Brist taught geography for MMA for several years. She excels at curating information for students and has perfected the use of the blended-learning/flipped classroom instructional model for high school social studies.

With 13 years of experience in instructional design, 20 years of experience in healthcare settings, and management of her own wellness clinic, she brings a unique perspective to advise our academy. She is currently pursuing a certification in phytotherapy. 

Connie Swan, Treasurer

Connie Swan has three adult children who were homeschooled from kindergarten through high school. All three of them were enrolled at YEAH Academy.

Prior to having children, Connie worked as a pharmacist for many years then operated several small businesses from her home. After starting to homeschool, Connie and her husband headed the board of the largest homeschool co-op in Minnesota in the early 1990s. After her children graduated from high school, she worked in several chiropractic clinics and as an administrative assistant for the Clinical Consultant team of an herbal products company.

She recently retired after being office manager for the moving company her son co-owns. Reading (especially history and science fiction), gardening, and travel are her favorite hobbies. Connie enjoys using her administrative and communication skills to improve organizations and to bless individuals, especially those on the home education journey.

Heather Haas, Secretary

Heather Haas grew up in Waconia, Minnesota, where she met her husband, Paul. She attended the University of Minnesota, earning degrees in Elementary Education and Piano Performance. After five years of dating, Heather and Paul were married on July 11, 1992.

Early in their marriage, they moved to Guam, where Heather taught second grade for two years before returning to Minnesota to raise their family. Over the course of 14 years, they were blessed with five children, whom Heather homeschooled with deep dedication and joy. Their family has since grown to include a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.

Alongside her roles as a wife, mother, educator, and grandmother, Heather is passionate about mentoring young women and sharing her reflections on her blog, https://when-you-pray.com. She also serves as the director of the Eagles Wings homeschool co-op, where she supports and encourages other homeschooling families.

As a speaker, Heather enjoys encouraging women through messages rooted in Scripture. She speaks on topics such as the character of God, identity in Christ, prayer, practical evangelism, motherhood, marriage, and Biblical womanhood. Her mission is to inspire and equip women to walk faithfully in their God-given roles.

Heather Haas has worked as MMA's Program Administrator for several years. In addition to overseeing membership, registration, and payments, she is the "face" of MMA, offering a beautiful smile and words of encouragement to students and visitors when they check in.

Jennifer Gimpl, Member

Jennifer Gimpl grew up in Roseville, Minnesota, and graduated from Minnehaha Academy.  She earned a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Bethel University in 1988, a Master’s in Special Education from St. Thomas University in 1995, and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Bethel in 1999.  While earning her Master’s in Special Education, she worked as the administrative assistant to the Medical Director at Gillette Children’s Hospital.  She was blessed with her dream job when she returned to Gillette to work as a special education teacher with St. Paul Schools, teaching students who were hospitalized long-term following spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, orthopedic rehabilitation, as well as students on the burn unit and locked behavioral unit.  Jennifer was a Special Education teacher for fifteen years before leaving her career to homeschool her daughter, who graduated in 2026. 

Being a private tutor (math, science, test prep, especially), life coach, short-term missionary, international traveler, and caregiver/care coordinator for her aging parents has brought her much joy over the decades, surpassed only by being a mom.  Jennifer worked two years as Program Administrator at Mid-Metro Academy from 2021-2022.  Every summer since 2022, Jennifer and her husband have found great joy in serving as counselors at a camp for adults with cognitive disabilities.  Currently, Jennifer is a life coach and dog mom, as well as a deaconess and facilitator of the grief support ministry at her church. 

As a lifelong learner, Jennifer has recently been trained in Biblical Trauma Care and is pursuing certifications as an End-of-Life Specialist and Death Doula. She also is approved as a dispatcher with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. See LINK for more information.  Having experienced Mid-Metro Academy as a parent, a staff member, and as a student herself, Jennifer is delighted to now serve as a Board member.