MEET OUR PRESCHOOL STAFF
About Tammy Sirek
Tammy Sirek is a teacher at Little Saints Preschool. She has over 16 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 90%
About Amber Heinz
Amber is excited to begin her first year of teaching at Little Saints Preschool. Amber is a newlywed and will be starting her new life with her husband Nick. 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 100%
- Spending time with family 100%
- Cooking 80%
About Katielynn Lusignan
Katielynn Lusignan is beginning her first year with Little Saints Preschool. Katielynn, her husband Kenny, and their three children have lived in New Prague for three years. She has taught preschool in Minnesota, Kindergarten at a Catholic school in Mississippi, and enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom while Kenny was in the Air Force. Katielynn fully embraces the play-based learning environment in the preschool program and focuses on teaching the whole child in her curriculum. Katielynn and Kenny’s children have joined the SWS family this year as well – in grades 4th, 2nd, and Kindergarten.
B.S. – Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education – Winona State University
M.S. – Reading & Literacy – Capella University
Katielynn’s Super Powers
- Ability to go with the flow 90%
- Keeping life organized 80%
- Hanging out with my family 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! 40%
- Cooking and Reading 100%
About Annie Schmitz
Annie Schmitz is in her eighth 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 enjoy 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 40%
- Hanging out with Gordie 100%
About Sarah Gullickson
Sarah Gullickson is Little Saints Preschool 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 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 40%
- Cooking while doing yoga 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. She now lives back in the area with her husband and her two college-age daughters.
Betty’s Super Powers
- Superpower 90%
- Superpower 40%
- Superpower 100%
About Stephanie Tobias
Stephanie joined Little Saints Preschool this year for our little 3 and 4 year old students. Steph is a familiar person at SWS as a parent with three students in the school. Stephanie has been actively involved on our Home and School Association and has been instrumental in leading many of the activities associated with this group.
Stephanie has a degree in Elementary Education
Steph’s Super Powers
- Superpower 90%
- Superpower 40%
- Superpower 100%
About Linda Smisek
Linda Smisek is an aide in our school and helps in many diffferent areas from the 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 40%
- Being a grandma to her three granddaughters 100%