A DEDICATED TEAM
Our Preschool Staff cares deeply about creating a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment in which young minds grow in love for learning and for God.
For general inquiries, including questions about registration, tuition, and tours, please contact the preschool office: preschool@onestrongfamily.org.
Our preschool's fax line is: 651-644-0011
PRESCHOOL STAFF
Hi! I'm Amie Iwaszkowiec ( e- vosh - ko- vee - its). I have the pleasure of being the Star Room teacher. My family and I moved here 5 years ago. I have 4 adventurous and amazing kids. We love it here despite all the snow. I love learning whatever I can, getting to cook a big meal for the people I love, spending time with my family, and going to music concerts. I have a B.A. in History with an emphasis in secondary education from Lindenwood University in St Charles, Mo. During college, I began teaching preschool to pay for my degree. I loved it though didn't want to stay in school any longer. I then went on to teach middle school before staying at home to raise and teach my kids for 11 years. I'm grateful to be able to teach preschool once again. Teaching the 3-year-olds is a great opportunity to see my students grow and try new things and hear the amazing stories they love to share.
Jacki Blommel
Teacher, "Sunshine Room"
My name is Jacki Blommel and I teach the 4-5 year old room. This is my sixth year of teaching at Saint Mark’s Catholic Preschool. I fell in love with preschool while subbing at Saint Mark's as my 3 kids attended the school. I am blessed to be a part of the preschool as I have always felt like Saint Mark's is a part of my family. I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a minor in social studies from Bemidji State University.
I love teaching the creative curriculum units because of the wide variety of activities we engage the children in which include, science, language, music, math, and most importantly intentional play. We encourage children to play while learning about each unit and creating new friendships with their fellow classmates. My favorite part of my day is circle time when we sing, read books, practice our numbers and letters, and start our day together as a family.
My husband and I live in Minneapolis. We have three children who all attended Saint Mark’s school. We have two cats that are 15 years old. I enjoy reading, pilates, camping, and taking long hikes. I feel blessed to be able to teach your child at Saint Mark’s.
Hi! I’m Kate Sekevitch, and I'm currently the Apple Room teacher. My husband and I have four children of our own at home and a rescue puppy, Archie. I love working with our four-year-olds and genuinely look forward to my days in the classroom. I take pride in providing an engaging environment that fosters a child's natural desire to learn and understand the world around them. I've been teaching preschool on and off for the past 12 years, taking breaks as needed to be home with my own children. I have been part of the St. Mark's family for the past 11 years, and have spent time teaching in each of our classrooms. I also taught an art specialty class for all the preschool classes. I'd love to be part of your child's introduction to a lifelong love of learning. Come visit us!
Hello! My name is Shannon Norris, and I teach in the 3-year-old room. I graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a double major in Elementary Education and Science and Math for Elementary Educators (SMEE). This will be my 16th year working at St. Mark’s. I began here in 2005, teaching middle school math and religion for three years. When my first child was born in the spring of 2008, I became a full time stay at home mom. St. Mark’s, however, is such a wonderful place that I couldn’t stay away for long! In the Spring of 2009, I began substitute teaching at St. Mark’s Preschool. Now after 12 years as a substitute, I am excited to work full time again at St. Mark’s. It is wonderful to work with your children each day. Their smiles, curiosity, joy, and love of learning are such a blessing. We do so many things each day, but my favorites are praying, singing songs, reading books, playing outside, and early math and literacy activities. My husband and I have four sons, ages 6 to 13. I enjoy spending time with family, being outdoors, and reading. I look forward to a wonderful year working with your child!
Hello. My name is Diane Reineke. I am very excited and honored to work with your children during this upcoming school year. I will be your children’s Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Music teacher this year. I live in Saint Paul, but I am originally from rural southeastern Minnesota, where my parents still live. I grew up in a big family of eight brothers, my parents, and me. I very much enjoy walking everywhere, reading, writing, and most of all singing. My educational background includes degrees in Elementary education, Theological Studies, and English as a Second Language. My experience lies in the area of education and ten years of experience working with Pre-K children. I love working at a Catholic school because I can share my Catholic faith which means the world to me, and see the littlest among us get to know and love God as His beloved children.
Hello. My name is Terry Lewis and I have been associated with St. Marks school for the past 15 years. I started as a parent volunteer in my children’s classrooms, then taught art appreciation (offered through MIA) as well as gifted and talented classes for a number of years in the lower school. Eight years ago I started subbing in the preschool. I have been fortunate to fill long-term teaching assignments at a number of Catholic schools over the years in both traditional early childhood programs as well as Montessori classrooms. I will be here through this school year serving in a supportive role for the teachers which allows me to spend time in all of the classrooms. I am a recent empty-nester (yes it goes by FAST) and I love to read, work in my garden, bake and go on walks. I am excited to be
a part of this wonderful community.
My name is Claire Ellendson and I am the virtues teacher at Saint Mark’s Catholic Preschool. This is my first year teaching preschool and has a work background in childcare and supporting adults with disabilities for the past 6 years. I have the joy of spending afternoons with the children who are in the full-day program and teaching a weekly virtues class through inspiration from the Saints! I especially love supporting the children to explore how they can apply what it means to be virtuous to their daily lives and interactions with one another. I feel so honored to be a part of these children’s lives and to see them develop and grow. Teaching here has been an enormous gift to me and I am proud to be a member of the Saint Mark’s family!