Mrs. Lori Jenks
Director of St. Paul Lutheran Preschool and
Lead Teacher in the M/Th & T/Fr 3-year-old classes (Lamb Classes)
Love of children and her relationship with God led Lori to dream of being a teacher of children in a faith-based setting. She succeeded in moving toward this dream when in 1987 she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a special endorsement in early childhood education. Lori began her teaching career and as her passion for teaching continued, Lori earned her Masters of Science in Education from Northwest Missouri State University. Lori currently holds her State of Iowa K-6 Elementary Classroom and PK-K Classroom License. Although she has used her education at schools and churches to teach children ranging from 3-years-old to 18-years old over the past 30 years, Lori’s passion is to equip the young child. Half of her 30 years in teaching have been spent in early childhood education, including the past 15 years at St. Paul Preschool.
Mrs. Lindsey Dohrman
Teacher in the Early Kindergarten class (Shining Stars Class)
Lindsey graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with her degree in education. The following year she was accepted into a fellowship program and received her masters degree, in curriculum and instruction, from the University of Missouri. Lindsey has taught Early Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Fourth, and Fifth grade. She was also one of the writing cadre instructors for the Blue Springs school district. Linsey is a teacher because she has a passion for learning new things, and wants to foster creative learning experiences, to help children be lifelong learners.
Mrs. Sandy VanNostrand
Lead Teacher in the 3, 4 and 5-year old class (Bear Class)
Sandy is a two-time graduate of Iowa State. She holds a Bachelor’s in Child, Adult, and Family Service, and a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. After graduating in 2011, she taught in Huxley for three years before coming to St. Paul in 2015. She loves working with preschool children because they are eager to learn and persistent in everything they attempt!
Mrs. Renee Brause
Co-Lead Teacher in the 4-and-5 year old class (Lion Class)
As a young child, Renee enjoyed playing school and dreamed of becoming a teacher. In 1991, she graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a double major of Elementary & Early Childhood Education. For 9 years she taught 2 year olds and 5 year olds. After a time of being a mom at home, she returned to teaching. She has enjoyed teaching 3’s and 4’s at St. Paul for 10 ½ years.
Mrs. Paula Dacken
Co-Lead Teacher in the 4-and-5 year old class (Lion Class)
Paula likes working with children. She finds it very rewarding to watch children learn new skills. She has been a Sunday school teacher at Memorial Lutheran Church for many years. She has been teaching preschool at St. Paul for 10 wonderful years. Paula earned her Teacher Associate Degree from Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny.
Sydney Miguel
Teacher in the 2 year old class (Cub Class)
Sydney is a graduate of Iowa State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Sydney has 3 years of experience teaching preschool before joining the team at St. Paul in 2018. She enjoys teaching young children because they are so joyful and have such a love of learning!
Mrs. Kristen Leichty
Associate Teacher in the M/Th & T/Fr 3-year-old classes (Lamb Classes)
Kristen graduated with a Social Work degree from Eastern Mennonite University and later in life received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Iowa. She has a variety of experiences working with different age groups including 7 years as a Youth Pastor and teaching preschoolers in Sunday School and Bible School. She loves seeing preschoolers ability to pretend play and watching their eyes light up when they learn something new.
Mrs. Katie Emery
Financial Secretary at St. Paul Lutheran Preschool
Katie graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Liberal Studies. She also has an Accounting Paraprofessionals Associates degree from DMACC. She has a variety of experiences working with children including 14 years as an in-home childcare provider and four years as a Girl Scout Troop Leader.
Form: Application for Enrollment 2024-2025
Preschool Tuition Assistance: BooSt Application 2023-2024
