On any given day, running Minnetonka High School from the morning to the afternoon is no easy task. There’s food to be made, IDs to be checked, and things to be cleaned. The fact that MHS runs so smoothly is no accident. Behind the scenes at our school are hundreds of support staff who ensure that every day is as good as the last. Here are just a few of the people who help keep our school running.
Anna Mantoles (Reception)
If you have ever left school through the main entrance during the day, you likely have run into receptionist Anna Mantoles. In her own words, Mantoles “answer[s] the calls that come through the main line to the high school,” in the general sense, but also works to help keep the building and students safe. “I also help keep the school secure with checking in students and visitors through the main entry, and assist with any questions or issues students, staff or families may have,” she says.
Mantoles has been working at the front desk of MHS since early 2023 after working for over a decade in Corporate America and “peopleworking” with the City of Minnetonka. Working at the front desk daily means that there are plenty of faces to see. Mantoles says she sees, “not as many [students] as the West Entrance, but with VANTAGE coming and going through the Main Entrance the number has increased quite a bit. I would say around 400+ students per day.” With a busy and occasionally chaotic job, Mantoles says the best way to support her work is by making sure that we have identification with us. “As mundane as checking in and out of the building may seem, it is very important to know who is in the building at all times,” she says. Remember to say “hello” to Ms. Mantoles next time you make your way through the Main Entrance!
Tyler Strom (Counseling Office)
A familiar face in the counseling office, Tyler Strom has been checking students into their appointments for the past six years. Beyond his official role as Counseling Office Assistant, however, Strom contributes to the MHS community in multiple ways. “From an extension of my official role, I am also co-advisor for D&D Club, I am the Varsity eSports Coach, and my most recent addition of 10th Grade Girls Soccer Coach,” he says.
Strom’s role as a member of Minnetonka’s support staff allows him to connect with students uniquely. “The most rewarding aspect of my role is being able to support students in a variety of different ways,” he says. “Helping students navigate difficult situations, and being a trusted adult for them is easily my favorite part of my role.” Being the face of the counseling office also comes with a responsibility to help ensure students have the resources that they need. “My role supports the overall community by being a central hub for all students here in the Counseling Office,” Strom says. “Any student can walk in at any time, and get support, or get on track to get support, with anything students need.”
Seeing upwards of 150 students a day for all sorts of reasons, even if it just means saying “hi,” there is no doubt that Strom’s position is integral in day-to-day life at MHS. With so many faces passing through the office on any given day, he explains that the best way for students to support his role is simply to make sure you know when and where you need to be. “Remember your appointments and be on time for them. Know who your counselors and teachers are. Try your best to be kind and empathetic to your classmates and try to be kind and empathetic to yourself.”
Michelle Johnson (College and Career Center)
Helping out in MHS for over 10 years and the College & Career Center for 3 years, Michelle Johnson stands as a pillar to students making important decisions about their futures. Working with the counseling office – but mainly Mrs. Gutierrez, the post-secondary counselor – Johnson supports Seniors and those who are applying for colleges, saying, “I process all student transcript release forms, host college reps in our office, assist students with application questions, and schedule appointments for Mrs. Gutierrez.” Before coming to MHS, Johnson “worked at Youth Frontiers – the organization that hosts school retreats on kindness, courage, and respect.” After taking some time off, she and her family “decided to move to Minnetonka… so [she] applied for a job here!” Currently, Johnson states that the CCC is “a little quieter since most college application deadlines have passed,” but things will soon pick up as the first
semester comes to an end and students have to make decisions about their careers. As a person who works closely with Seniors who are deciding their plans for their futures, Johnson “love[s] to hear when seniors decide on their post-secondary plans – whether it’s heading to a trade school, taking a gap year to travel or work, or heading off to college,” stating how “there’s a big, exciting world out there beyond MHS, and a place for everyone to pursue their passions.” With the importance of her job to the futures of students here at MHS, she states that the easiest way to help is to “check your emails and Schoology messages daily. That’s how we communicate important information such as questions on your college applications, scholarships, and events happening in the CCC.”
Megan Durbin (School Psychologist)
Supporting MHS as our School Psychologist for the past three years, Megan Durbin collaborates with families and administrators to create positive learning environments for all students, an impact our entire school community feels. Durbin states she “serves both general and special education students to help them navigate and succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.” Her work with the student population of both general and special education students propels each student to greater achievements with whatever goals one might have. In her own words, she states that she “love[s] it when a student comes in and shares something positive that we have been working on and observing them become more confident in their skills.” The support that she has given to the MHS students and community came from our “vibrant learning community,” with Durbin stating how she “loved how everyone [she] encountered was so kind and supportive and also had the common goal of wanting each and every student they encountered to reach their fullest potential.”
Without the support of the countless support staff here at MHS, our school would not be running as smoothly as it does today. From the main office to the College and Career Center, the people behind the scenes work here everyday through chaotic environments and problem solving. These individuals, along with countless others, are the ones who are making sure that our academic community is ready to learn on a daily basis with plenty of support. Remember to say “hello” next time you connect with one of these hardworking people.
