Meet Our Founders

Cha Ger Yang

Cha Ger Yang was the CEO and Founder of Prairie Seeds Academy, a public Academy in Brooklyn Park serving Minneapolis and the smaller surrounding suburbs. Prairie Seeds Academy has about 780 students, K-12. Prairie Seeds Academy employs 105 full time employees and 10 contracted consultants and temporary employees. Cha Ger managed an annual budget of over 8 million. His passion is to make a difference in the lives of young children. The CEO’s leadership ability sets a positive tone for cooperation, honor and social responsibility across all stakeholders. Cha Ger was commited to students and staff growth, development and academic excellence. As a visionary leader, he focused on shaping the educational system, driving the vision, motivating students toward life-long achievements and enhancing positive attitudes.

Prior to his work at Prairie Seeds Academy, Cha Ger worked at a civil engineering firm for 5 years. He then taught bilingual math and science in Minneapolis School District for 7 years.



Choua Yang

Our beloved CEO and Founder, Ms. Choua Lee Yang passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020 with her family by her side in St. Paul, MN. She endured over a month-long battle with COVID-19.


Choua was born on October 30, 1966 in San Luang, Laos. In 1978, she came to America and resided in Syracuse, NY. She married her husband Cha Ger Yang in 1985 and moved to MN in 1995 where she lived for the remainder of her life.


Ms. Yang discovered her passion for education at a young age through her father who was also a school teacher. One of Ms. Yang’s most valued accomplishments is when she co-founded and built Prairie Seeds Academy with her husband Cha Ger Yang in 2004. Ms. Yang, who was CEO, was a visionary and dedicated educator.


Ms. Yang has served as the principal of PSA since 2008. Under her leadership PSA has grown and prospered to give thousands of students not only an outstanding education, but more importantly launched students who are, in the words of PSA’s mission,


“inspired global thinkers, who will understand the importance of inquiry, lifelong learning, intercultural awareness, respect, and adaptability as they become future leaders.”


Ms. Yang understood and valued the importance of education and devoted her career to education beginning in 1996 with her first teaching job. Over the years, Ms. Yang served in leadership positions with both the Minneapolis Public Schools and St. Paul Public Schools before joining PSA as its principal.


During Ms. Yang’s tenure as principal at PSA there was significant student growth in enrollment and PSA began operating out of its present building. Most important was the humanity that Ms. Yang brought to PSA. There was nothing more important to her than the students of PSA. She celebrated their successes and cared deeply when they were troubled and needed help and was devoted to making things better for every student and staff member at PSA.


Choua loved life! She was an extraordinary woman who saw the best in people. She was always able to lift others with her humor and high spirits. She faced challenges and obstacles with a smile and always trusted that everything happened for a reason. To many, she was a light and a devoted friend. Her entire life was dedicated to serving others. For those that know her, know that she was selfless and had the kindest heart. She was deeply loved and will be missed by many. PSA leadership will carry on her legacy and she is never truly gone because she lives on through all those she has touched.


CEO and Founder, Choua Lee Yang will never be forgotten and will forever be in our hearts.