Meet Our Preschool Teachers
Andrea Schroeder
Preschool Director
Mrs. Schroeder has been the preschool director since 2018. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a major in Elementary Education and Spanish. She has taught Preschool and Kindergarten. Mrs. Schroeder attended St. John the Baptist. Her three kids attended St. John’s preschool and grade school.
Bri McCaffrey
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Coordinator
Mrs. McCaffrey grew up in Bloomington and received her BA from the University of St. Thomas with a major in Marketing Management and a minor in Catholic Studies. She, her husband, and their two daughters live in Shoreview and love being parishioners at St John’s. Her children also attend St John’s School. Mrs. McCaffrey has completed Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training in levels 1A and 1B and is excited to grow this beautiful program at SJB. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, being involved with school and church events, giving her cat too much attention, and listening to a good podcast.
Jolene Pick
Preschool Teacher
Mrs. Pick began substitute teaching at St. John’s Preschool and has been a part-time teacher since September 2004. She lives in Mounds View with her husband, Tom. They have two children, a son and a daughter, who both attended SJB. Mrs. Pick has also worked at Messiah Preschool as an assistant teacher, as well as a volunteer. She has an educational background in psychology and experience working with learning disabilities and special needs.
Jane Jaskulka
Preschool Aide
Mrs. Jaskulka is a graduate of St. Catherine University, and she has loved teaching preschool children for ten years. She also worked in a children’s library and most recently received training to be a catechist for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. This is a great blessing! She lives with her husband and dog in Circle Pines, and they have one daughter who resides in Minneapolis. She is so happy to be a part of St. John the Baptist preschool and church!
Katelyn Livermont
Preschool Aide
Bio coming soon!
Michelle Molenaar
Preschool Teacher
Mrs. Michelle has been a St John’s staff member since 2017. She started working in childcare before joining the preschool staff in 2021. Mrs. Michelle lives in Shoreview with her husband, Hans. They have four children – three sons and a daughter. Their daughter, Miss Anna, is also a preschool teacher here at St John’s. Mrs. Michelle received her degree in Speech Communications from Bethel University and then continued with course work in elementary education. The Molenaar family has been active in the St John’s Parish since 1950. Mrs. Michelle is thrilled to have this position that allows her to share her faith with her students as well as her coworkers.
Julie SawyerPreschool Teacher
Mrs. Sawyer, who lives in New Brighton with her husband and two daughters, has worked at SJB school since 2009. Before her current role as a preschool teacher, she was a J-Care supervisor and preschool substitute. Julie attended SJB herself and is a lifetime parish member. She received her education from the College of St. Catherine.
Amy Lonsky
Preschool Aide
Miss Amy graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. She majored in Exercise and Sport Science and has minors in Adapted Physical Education and Outdoor Education. She has worked with preschoolers since 2018. She started working at Saint John’s Preschool in 2021. In her free time she likes to spend time with family/friends, garden, travel, and complete diy projects.
Anna MolenaarPreschool Teacher
Ms. Anna received her education through the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and is a current student at Hamline University working towards her MFA in creative writing. She has worked with children, aged infant through kindergarten, for four years.
Dehlia AustinPreschool Aide
Ms. Dehlia graduated from Blaine High School in 2022 and is a current surgical technology major at Anoka Technical College. She has been active in early childhood education for the past three years in various positions from ages infant through kindergarten. She lives with her family in Blaine.
Mary Ann DircksPreschool Teacher
Miss Mary Ann received her education from University of Wisconsin- Stout and worked for many years as a nanny until joining the staff when the SJB preschool opened in October 2001. She writes: “I mostly enjoy being able to share and celebrate my Christianity so freely and fully at St. John’s Preschool. After so many years of incorporating Jesus’ message into all aspects of the curriculum, I can’t imagine guiding these little ones any other way. The staff of St. John’s makes it such a great place to be as well. I am truly blessed to be a part of St. John’s Preschool Program.”
Natalia Dietsche
Preschool Aide
Miss Natalia is a 2nd generation alumni of St. John the Baptist School. She is a mother of two young children who are now beginning their educational journey at SJB in both preschool and kindergarten. She began working at SJB in January 2023 as part of the care crew team and was floating in many of the preschool rooms by the end of the year. Miss Natalia has also worked at The Musical Montessori and Kinderhaus Montessori as an assistant teacher. Her goal as a teacher is to help children reach their potential in their journey towards developmental milestones. She received her education from Metropolitan State University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, journaling, listening to podcasts, and reading poetry.
Melanie Dowell
Mrs. Dowell has been working at St. John’s Preschool since 2015 and is the Care Crew morning teacher. She grew up in New Brighton and attended St. John the Baptist. She and her husband live in Mounds View and are lifelong members of the parish. Their daughter and son also attended St. John’s. She received her education from Minnesota State University, Mankato.