Governing Board

Kerin Helmke – Secretary

Kerin Helmke serves as the Secretary and Parent Representative of the Athlos Academy of St. Cloud governing board. Her term began May 2021.

Ms. Helmke has an Associates of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice and Paramedicine.  She is a full time paramedic and has worked in the local community for 10 years.  Her child has been attending Athlos for 3 years.  She decided to search for an alternate school from District 742 to try and provide her child with the best educational experience as possible.  When deciding on which school to select, she decided on Athlos due to their mission statement.  The three pillars of Prepared Mind, Healthy Body, and Performance Character help prepare our students for success beyond the school years.

Catherine Georgewill – Board Member, Teacher Representative

Catherine Georgewill is currently a first-grade teacher at Athlos Academy.  She holds a Master of Science (M.S) Educational Administration and Leadership from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota

A Bachelor of Science in Education (B. ED) Economics, University of Nigeria

Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria  and a Nigeria Certificate in Education (N.C.E) in Computer Science/Economics, Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.  She has volunteered at numerous organizations such as the spring Leadership Institute Conference at SCSU, the Women’s Center, SCSU, NSA cultural nights and has assisted in coordinating the annual MLK Jr. Breakfast.  Ms.

Georgewill’s teaching experience includes working for Stream Lead, Berkeley Magnet Science School, Lagos, Nigeria and working as a middle school teacher, a high school teacher and the Vice Dean of Discipline teacher at Julliard Academy, Lagos, Nigeria.  In college she was the student President for four years and was the Vice President for Student Affairs for two years.

Ember Reichgott-Jung – Interim Board Member

Ms. Ember Reichgott-Jung served in the Minnesota Senate from 1983 to 2000 having been first elected at twenty-nine.  She served over twenty years as a general counsel for Twin Cities businesses and nonprofits. Before becoming chief advancement officer of Minnesota’s largest human services nonprofit.

She is a broadcast political analyst, former radio host, and a member of the National Charter Schools Hall of Fame.  Ember is board vice chair of Charter schools development Corporation, and her board service has included the Minneapolis Chapter of the American Red Cross, Twin Cities United Way, Citizens Independent Banks and National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.  Ember receiver her BA from St. Olaf Collee, DK from Duke University Law School, and MBA from University of St. Thomas.  Ms. Richgott Junge is also an avid ballroom dancer.

Steve Bursch – Board Member

Steve Bursch is a proactive leader in technology with over 15 years of experience identifying and managing strategic initiatives for charter schools and companies in the Twin Cities area.  He currently works with Wells Fargo providing support and assistance with a variety of financial applications within the Corporate Trust division.  Prior to working with Wells Fargo, Steve worked for Athlos Leadership Academy Brooklyn Park for 6 years. He built the technology infrastructure for the school building where he managed and supported all forms of technology.  Steve is currently a member of the Spartan Innovation Building Corporation, which supports the educational activities of Athlos Leadership Academy.