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.
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.
Amy Lonsky
Preschool Aide
Miss Amy graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. This is her first year working with Saint John’s Preschool. She likes to hang out with her family, watch/play soccer (among other sports), complete art/craft/DIY projects, and is excited to watch the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Michelle Molenaar
Preschool Teacher
Mrs. Molenaar has been working in childcare at St. John’s since 2017 . She lives in Shoreview with her husband and several of her four children. She received her education at Bethel University with a major in Speech Communications and course work in Elementary Education. Since the 1950’s, the Molenaar family has been active in the St John’s parish. She is thrilled to be in a job that allows her to share her faith.
Julie Sawyer
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.
Mary Ann Dircks
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.”
Sr. Novie Omictin
Sr. Novie is a religious Sister, a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines. She received her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in 2004 from the Dominican College of Iloilo, Philippines. In 2008, she was sent to Hawaii and attended a PACE (Professional And Career Education for Early Childhood) training program at Honolulu Community College for 2 years. She has 11 years of experience teaching children aged 4 – 7 years old as a classroom teacher. Last year, in 2020, with a joyful heart, she started working at St. John the Baptist Preschool.
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.