Meet Our Preschool Teachers
Andrea Schroeder
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 the preschool and are currently in the grade school. She and her husband live in New Brighton.
Jolene Pick
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.
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.
Kati Ingle
Mrs. Ingle has been working at St. John’s Preschool since 2019. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science and Chemistry from Albany State University. She homeschooled her three children for over 12 years before moving to Minnesota. She is originally from Georgia, where her daughter still resides. She currently resides in New Brighton with her husband and two sons. She is a parishioner of St. John’s.
Sr. Novie Omictin
Bio Coming Soon!
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.”
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. Today, she and her husband live in New Brighton. Their children attended SJB Preschool, which means they are very involved with the St. John’s grade school and extracurricular activities.