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 tenth 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 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 little 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 18 years. She has worn many hats in her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher, art, physical education, 1st grade, 3rd grade,
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 the second year. Amber and her husband Nick are expecting their first baby in fall 2021. 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 Alyssa Fimon
Hello, I am Alyssa and I am excited to start my first year at Little Saints Preschool! I have been working in the early childhood field since graduating college in 2015. I specifically enjoy working with preschoolers! I place importance on the need to create safe, loving, and nurturing environments where children can unfold. I reside in Belle Plaine with my husband and our young son. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors and exploring new places with my family.
I am a graduate of North Dakota State University where I majored in Child Development and Family Science. While attending, I worked at a child development center with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. I am now back in school working on obtaining my birth-3rd grade teaching license.
B.S. – Child Development and Family Science – North Dakota State University
B.S. – In progress – Early Childhood Education – Southwest Minnesota State University
Alyssa’s Super Powers
- Spending time with family 90%
- Adventure/experience/travel planning 80%
- Being compassionate and nurturing 100%
About Anne Conway
Anne Conway is beginning her first year teaching at St. Wenceslaus School. She has twenty years of experience teaching kindergarten and preschool in the area Catholic schools. She is very excited to be joining the preschool staff at St. Wenceslaus this year! Anne looks forward to meeting all of her students and their families and to beginning a new school year.
Anne resides on a hobby farm in rural Lonsdale with her family. She has seven children, a few of which are still living at home. Her oldest two children are married and Anne has been blessed with six grandchildren. Anne enjoys spending time outside on her hobby farm, gardening, and playing with her dogs.
B.S. – Elementary Education with a preprimary specialty – St. Catherine’s University, St. Paul
M.A. – Multi-age Early Childhood Classroom – St. Catherine’s University, St. Paul
Anne’s Super Powers
- Reading 90%
- Playing with my dogs 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 three children in the 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 Betty Jirak
Betty enjoys being a part of the SWS Little Saints Preschool family. Betty grew up in New Prague and attended SWS as a child. She worked in a preschool program in Virginia on the east coast for many years while her husband was stationed there in the military. They now live back in the area.
Betty’s Super Powers
- Experimental cooking and baking 90%
- Anything outdoors 80%
- Being with family and friends 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%