Meet Our Leadership Team
Administration
Nicole Nelson, Ed.S.
Co-Founder & Director
Ms. Nelson has served as a classroom teacher and administrator for over 15 years in charter schools. Ms. Nelson began her career in the St. Louis Park and Hopkins public school districts and then transitioned to serving students as a social studies teacher and administrator in charter schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ms. Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree in social studies education from St. Olaf College and holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University, St. Paul. She is licensed in social studies education (grades 5-12) and hold’s a K-12 principal’s license from Concordia University St. Paul. Ms. Nelson has served as a cadre for Innovative Quality Schools, an independent educational consultant, and professor in the department of education at Minnesota State University Mankato. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Nasha Shkola, a K-8 Charter School in Brooklyn Park.
Board of Directors
Progeny Academy’s Board of Directors is dedicated to the mission of Progeny Academy. In addition to their passion for learning they bring experience and expertise critical to charter school needs including school leadership, teaching and learning, community relations, human resources, school finance, law, and governance.
Jeramie Steinert, J.D.
Board Treasurer, Community Member
EMAIL
Mr. Steinart currently serves as vice president/general council of American Heritage National Bank in St. Cloud. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hamline University, then went on to earn a juris doctorate of law from Washington University in the St. Louis School of Law.
Mr. Peter Zwach
Director, Teacher Member
EMAIL
Mr. Zwach earned his undergraduate degree in science from the University of Minnesota. He has been teaching for the past three years. Before joining Progeny Academy he taught 4th grade in Saint Paul. He joined Progeny in 2019 as a founding teacher and currently serves as the English language teacher/Coordinator and interventionist where he works with students in all grade levels. Additionally, Mr. Zwach provides instruction with physical education and grades 4 and 5 language arts. When he is not teaching, Mr. Zwach coaches high school baseball.
Dr. Lakisha Witter
Board Secretary, Community Member
EMAIL
Dr. Witter’s educational experience includes
the University of Florida in Sociology(BA), Special Education (ME), and Educational Leadership (Ed.S) and (ED.D) from Minnesota State University. Dr. Witter has used her background in special education and educational leadership to strategically plan, create, develop, rebuild and support current schools infrastructure for special education programs and compliance in the United States and Africa. She has been a leader within the domain of education for over a decade serving in the capacity of special education educator, coordinator, director, and school board member.
Mr. James Ommart
Director, Parent Member
EMAIL
Mr. Ommart is an active parent of two Progeny Academy students. Mr. Ommart has an extensive background in sales, marketing, and business development and currently is the Sales & Marketing Manager for the Adam L. Mohr Agency, Inc., an agency of American Family Insurance. He has been licensed in property, casualty, and life insurance since 2018. His job includes working within the community to market and promote the agency to generate leads, as well as provide quotes, and the binding of insurance policies. In Mr. Ommart’s spare time, he not only is a parent of 4 children, but is also active in the community volunteering for the Salvation Army, Feed My Starving Children, Second Harvest, and the MN Special Olympics.