Mrs. Johnson - Kindergarten What made you want to become a teacher?
I always wanted to be a teacher. I was in a youth group in high school that felt like a family and that played a role in my desire to become a teacher. I also was on a worship team in college that inspired me to want to become a teacher in Lutheran schools. Was there a teacher that inspired you growing up, and why? My experience with all my teachers influenced me to become a better and more conscientious teacher. Is there a subject that you especially love to teach? I love introducing the students to force and motion as well as teaching them about subtraction. What did you miss the most about teaching in person during the stay-at-home order? I missed the kids and building relationships with them. Thankfully, we didn't have to miss the beginning of the school year, so I already knew them. However, there is still so much growth that happens at the end of the year. I also missed the relationships with the families. What are you most looking forward to at the start of the year? Seeing the kids and meeting the new kids! We always get new students in kindergarten so it’s exciting to meet them and get to know them. What is the best advice you’ve received about teaching? Pray for your students daily. When I get to my classroom in the morning, I always take the time to pray for my students, either individually or as a group. I also pray with them during the school day, but taking the time to pray for them by myself is very important. What drew you to St. John’s and what has kept you here for so long? I am from Oregon and never thought I would end up in Chicago. When I visited St. John’s before taking the job, I loved the feeling I got from being here. After becoming a teacher here, I started attending the church and ended up meeting my husband there. We’ve been here ever since. I’ve worked at St. John’s for 42 of the 43 years I’ve been teaching and I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years with the staff and administration. The one thing that hasn’t changed has been the family aspect of the school, especially between the teachers and the families. The families are so supportive and make the teachers feel special and encouraged. Mrs. Yerkes - PreK What made you want to become a teacher?
My dad’s whole family are teachers, but I never thought I would become a teacher. I actually wanted to be a child life specialist with cancer patients. I began my Masters in that, but it was just too emotional of a topic for me. I knew I liked teaching so I decided to try it. As a teacher, being able to make a difference in a child’s life is what I love. I’m passionate about early intervention and getting kids the help they need sooner rather than later. Was there a teacher that inspired you, and why? There were several. My second grade teacher made learning fun. I remember doing a lot of fun things in her classroom. There were also high school teachers that believed in and inspired me. What is something you like about teaching PreK? I am interested in the social and emotional development that happens at this age. I love seeing their friendships start to form. What did you miss the most about teaching in person during the stay-at-home order? The social aspect was not the same. My students are learning social skills like how to be kind to each other, take turns, and how to share. This was so much harder to teach virtually. What’s the best advice you’ve received about teaching? As a teacher, you are always learning along with your students. Learn to experience things through their eyes and learn new things with them. What are you most looking forward to at the start of the year? I am most excited to be back in the classroom and to utilize the new technology that I learned during shelter-in-place. What do you like about St. John’s? I love the relationships I have with the families. The parents become your friends and are so great and caring. Miss Wheeler - Preschool What made you want to become a teacher? First and foremost, my love for working with children. I especially like early childhood because I get to introduce young children to school and be an integral part of instilling in them a love for learning. Was there a teacher growing up that inspired you, and why? Growing up I had many amazing teachers that always inspired me to do my best and gave me the confidence and knowledge to do so. What is something you like about teaching preschool? I especially love helping the students with their emotional and social growth and watching them learn to understand their feelings. What did you miss the most about teaching in person during the stay-at-home order? More than anything, I missed the connection to my students you can only have with in person teaching. I missed seeing our students every day. I especially missed their smiles, hugs, and enthusiasm! What is the best advice you’ve received about teaching? To never stop learning myself and to take advantage of every opportunity I get to further my knowledge. What are you most looking forward to at the start of the school year? Meeting the new students! I also look forward to returning to in-class learning and being together as a group again. What do you like about St. John’s? I attended St. John’s and my family has been members of the church and worked in various positions at the school for four decades. I grew up at St. John’s and funny enough, grew up surrounded by many teachers and staff that I am still surrounded by here today. Being a new teacher, I still have so much to learn. Here at St. John’s, I am surrounded by amazing, experienced educators who I learn from daily. I don’t feel as if I could be in a better position, or surrounded by more helpful and supportive fellow teachers.  St. John's is excited to now offer our school community access to an extensive online video library called RightNow Media! Described as "the Netflix of Video Bible Studies", RightNow Media features an array of Bible-based content as well as a full video library for kids. We are offering families and students an opportunity to sign up for FREE! If you are a parent or family member of a student at St. John's and would like to create a RightNow Media account, please click on the link below and email us to request access. We hope you'll enjoy this resource as much as we do!  On Saturday, July 25 the St. John’s class of 2020 graduated with flying colors. While this year’s ceremony was postponed until July, it was still a joyous occasion for our graduates, their families, and the teachers and staff of St. John’s Lutheran School.
The ceremony began with a prelude and processional hymn accompanied on the piano by St. John’s music teacher, Mrs. Jurica. After an invocation led by Pastor Ehrhard, the class verse, Jeremiah 29:11, was read, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Following the verse, the eighth grade teacher, Mrs. Runge, welcomed the students and parents to the graduation ceremony. In her speech, she discussed how she had made many plans with her eighth graders for the end of the school year. They had planned to take a class trip and were going to host a recognition dinner. However, all of their plans changed when the pandemic hit and instead, they had to quickly adapt to virtual learning for the final months of the school year. Mrs. Runge went on to state that even though their plans fell through, God’s plans are never ruined. She quoted John 16:33, “In this world we will have trouble” and went on to say that because of our personal relationship with Christ, we do not have to dwell in the evil and sickness of this world. Mrs. Runge ended her speech by leaving the students with a four step practice for making plans which includes Pray, Love, Act, and Network. After Mrs. Runge’s speech, a video slideshow was shown which included photos from the past year as well as images from the period of virtual learning. While the slideshow ran, the class song, “Glorious Unfolding” played in the background. Next, the class salutatorian, Isaac Peñate, presented his speech. He recounted memories and thoughts about the class of 2020 as well as his own memories from entering high school prep and the changes that came with it. Although he was nervous about the changes, high school prep ended up being a positive change. Isaac concluded his speech by telling the class of 2020 that they are ready to embark on a new journey into high school. Awards and recognitions were then presented by Mrs, Runge, Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Benedict, and Mrs. Jurica. Awards were given to students who excelled academically, spiritually, musically, and in extracurricular sports. After the diplomas were awarded by Principal Green, Kaden Radcliff, the class valedictorian, began his speech. He spoke about his fellow classmates and how they each brought something unique to the class of 2020. He talked about how St. John’s was a great foundation for Christian education and that the class of 2020 is strong enough to build upon that foundation as they head into high school. Kaden ended his speech by saying that even though they didn’t finish in the way they wanted to, God has everything under control. The ceremony ended with prayers and a benediction led by Pastor Ehrhard and the recessional hymn, “Go My Children, With My Blessing.” Congratulations to the class of 2020! |
