Hello, my name is Tari Hella-Yelk and I am so excited to be part of the 5th-grade team as well as the St. Anthony Park School community of learners. This is my thirteenth year at St. Anthony Park Elementary, totaling twenty-five years of teaching overall. I grew up in Fargo, ND and currently live in St. Paul.  My family consists of my partner (SPPS Art Specialist) and two children (high school senior & recent college graduate). One of my favorite things to do is spend time at Pelican Lake, where I grew up in the summers as a child and still enjoy with my extended family. I also enjoy reading, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, drinking lattes, walking/running, spending time with friends & family, and writing in my Writer's Notebook.

We are housed on the 2nd floor along with the ELL dept. (English Language Learners), art, math intervention, and 3rd & 4th-grade classrooms. Our focus is on academic standards paired with enrichment and specialties of art, physical education, performing arts, science, and technology. We practice social skills through the Responsive Classroom model to build compassionate, engaged, mindful, critical thinkers & learners. We incorporate Culturally Responsive Teaching strategies with the 4 R's, rigor, relevance, realness, and relationships. I believe all children learn and am honored to part of their journey as lifelong learners.  

I look forward to our partnership throughout the year!