MEET OUR PRESCHOOL STAFF
About Sarah Gullickson
Sarah Gullickson is Little Saints Preschool’s director and teacher She is married to Dan Gullickson and they have three daughters that also attend SWS. Sarah holds a B.S. degree from the University of WI, La Crosse in Kinesiology. She also has many certifications in the wellness field, such as Yoga and Mat Pilates. Sarah enjoys being outside as much as possible, going on a daily run/walk, playing games with her girls, and heading to their family cabin in the summer. Sarah likes to think that her ‘super powers’ are staying calm in stressful situations, cooking the best vegan cookies, and being able to hold ‘tree’ pose while cooking!
B.S. – Kinesiology – University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
- Staying Calm 90%
- Makes the best vegan cookies on earth 80%
- Cooking while doing yoga 100%
About Tammy Sirek
Tammy Sirek is a teacher at Little Saints Preschool. She has over 17 years of experience in early childhood education. After staying home to raise her 3 children, Tammy joined the caring staff at Little Saints Preschool in 2016. Knowing that play is a child’s most important work, it is important to her to create an environment where children can grow and thrive while exploring the world around them. Tammy and her husband, Paul, have three children. As a family, they enjoy traveling, going to movies, and attending sporting events. Tammy considers it a blessing to be a teacher at Little Saints Preschool!
B.S. – Elementary Education – Mankato State University
- Being Silly 90%
- Fixing Boo-boos 80%
- Reading 100%
About Annie Schmitz
Annie Schmitz is in her twelfth year with Little Saints Preschool. Annie states, “Being with your wonderful children every day is so rewarding and so much fun! I absolutely love my job and am truly blessed to be a part of the SWS family – both as a staff member and prior school parent!”
Annie is a graduate of Minnesota State University – Mankato with a double major in Paralegal/Law Enforcement and a minor in Business Law. After several years working in the insurance and legal industries, she became a stay-at-home mom after the birth of her third child. Annie and her youngest daughter both started their preschool careers at the same time; her daughter as a student and Annie as an aide.
In her free time, Annie enjoys reading, doing puzzles, and spending time with her husband, Gordie, and their three daughters.
B.A. – Paralegal/Law Enforcement and Business Law – Mankato State University
- Reading 90%
- Doing Puzzles 80%
- Hanging out with Gordie 100%
About Annette Stavos
Annette has been teaching at St. Wenceslaus School for over 20 years. She has worn many hats in her teaching career including as a kindergarten teacher, art, physical education, 1st grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade homeroom, and 5-8 grade science teacher. Annette has been in her current position of preschool STEM teacher and librarian for over six years. Teaching at St. Wenceslaus School has been a blessing. The students and staff are awesome to work with and this school feels like a big family.
B.S. – Elementary Education – Minnesota State Mankato
M.A. – Curriculum and Instruction St. Mary’s University
Certification in ESL (English as a Second Language) – University of St. Thomas
- Making Stained Glass Windows 90%
- Loves Golf but it does not like her! 80%
- Cooking and Reading 100%
About Amber Heinz
Amber is excited to continue teaching at Little Saints Preschool for her third year. Amber has been married to her husband Nick for 2 years. They have a little boy who will be 1 at the end of September. Amber is from Winona, MN where she went to school and worked as an early childhood teacher.
Amber is a graduate of Winona State University majoring in elementary and early childhood education. While in school, Amber worked at a children’s center with infants. After graduating, Amber moved to Rochester to work as a preschool teacher at a children’s center.
B.S. – Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education – Winona State University
Amber’s Super Powers
- Playing games 90%
- Cooking 80%
- Spending time with family 100%
About Stephanie Tobias
Stephanie is a member of the Little Saints Preschool staff working with our little 3 and 4-year-old students. Steph is a familiar person at SWS as a parent with two children in the school, and one (alumnus) in high school. Stephanie has been actively involved in our Home and School Association and has been instrumental in leading many of the activities associated with this group, especially leading the charge for the Handmade Market each October.
After graduating from St. Cloud State University, Stephanie married her high school sweetheart and moved to Colorado. Following the birth of her first child, she was a stay-at-home mom. Stephanie lived in Wyoming and North Dakota before moving back to Minnesota.
B.A. – Special Education – St. Cloud State University
Steph’s Super Powers
- Treasure hunting at thrift stores 90%
- Puzzles and board games 80%
- Making memories with family 100%
About Valerie Kapphahn
Bio coming soon!
Val’s Super Powers
- 90%
- 80%
- 100%
About Linda Smisek
Linda Smisek is an aide in our school and helps in many different areas from preschool all the way through the 8th grade. She also helps with office projects. You will see her first thing in the morning greeting preschool students as they are being dropped at school, and at the end of the day sending kids off for the night. Mrs. Smisek feels blessed to be able to work with such great kids and their families.
When Mrs. Smisek is not at school she enjoys gardening, cooking, and reading. But her most favorite thing is being a grandma to her three granddaughters.
Linda’s Super Powers
- Gardening 90%
- Cooking and Reading 80%
- Being a grandma to her three granddaughters 100%