K-8 SCHOOL STAFF
Mr. Greg Johnson
Principal
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
I was born in Illinois into a family with deep roots in the Lutheran faith. My father was a Lutheran pastor, my uncle is a Lutheran pastor, and my father-in-law was a Lutheran teacher. I received my B.A. from Aquinas College and my M.A. in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. I taught 7th and 8th-grade students at Blessed Sacrament School in Grand Rapids for nine years before coming to St. Michael in 2005.
I am married and have two children. I considered it a privilege to serve as the principal of St. Michael.
Mrs. Sharon Robinson
Secretary
I was born and raised in Berrien County Michigan and moved to the Kalamazoo area in 1990. My husband David of 30 plus years met while attending college. We have four wonderful children, three sons and one daughter. In 2009, I joined the staff of St. Michael Lutheran School after working a year in childcare.
I feel very blessed to be a part of St. Michael Lutheran School.
Mrs. Brenda Heintz
Kindergarten
“The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” Psalm 145:13
I am so blessed to be able to work at St. Michael Lutheran School. In the past, I had the privilege of working for 9 years for Portage Public Schools. I taught in the PPI classroom (now known as the ECDD classroom) and later was privileged to job share in a second-grade classroom at Central Elementary. At St. Michael, I have taught grade 2, gym, preschool, and now kindergarten.
I love teaching children but even more, I love teaching children about Jesus. I consider it pure joy to be here at St. Michael and wouldn’t trade it for any other job! This is truly my niche. Outside of school, I enjoy the company of my family. My husband Matt and I live in the Portage area with our four children. I love to travel, run, and laugh, especially with children. I thank God for the gift that St. Michael is to me. Through that gift, I hope to bless others for Him. To God be the glory!
Mrs. Maralyse Worm
First Grade
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
I am so blessed to have been led to be part of the St. Michael church and school family. I am a Called teacher serving a full-time teaching position in First Grade and I am LOVING IT! Concordia University Chicago is my alma mater. I graduated in 2015 with an Elementary Education Major along with a minor in Lutheran Education and an emphasis in Language Arts, Music, and General Science. After graduating from Concordia, I served my first Call to a church and school in Merrill, Wisconsin. There, I taught my first two years in Fifth Grade. I grew up in Wisconsin, so it is safe to say that I am a big cheese head and bleed badger blood. I pray that God continues to bless the current ministry and outreach of St. Michael and all other Christian Schools. I am proud to be where I am, and I look forward to seeing Christ’s work in the staff and students.
Mrs. Annie Hecht
Second Grade
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Teaching children has always been a passion of mine. In 8th grade, I decided that I wanted to be a teacher and that I wanted to go to Western Michigan University. I graduated from Western with my Bachelors of Arts degree in April of 2001. I spent the next year as a substitute teacher for Cedarville Public schools, in the Upper Peninsula.
I started my first full-time teaching position at St. Michael Lutheran School in August of 2002 and was officially called as a teacher in Feb. 2010. I received my Masters of Science in Educational Leadership and my Lutheran Teacher Diploma from Concordia University-Ann Arbor.
It has been such a blessing to see how God is working in the lives of all my former students as they grow in the faith and leave a mark in the world.
Mrs. Kim Ruesch
Third Grade
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “ Jeremiah 29:11
I feel so blessed to be a teacher at St. Michael Lutheran School and serve God and his children in this way. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, but have lived and worked in Illinois, Connecticut and Ohio over the years. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University and a Master’s Degree in Reading from Kent State University. Prior to teaching third grade here at St. Michael, I lived and raised my children in Tallmadge, Ohio. I also taught 4th grade there for 17 years at Munroe Elementary School. Before that, I worked with first through third graders as a language arts tutor, also in Tallmadge. In addition, I taught preschool (in a Lutheran school) and 2nd grade in Illinois before moving to Ohio and staying home to raise my own children. My husband and I now live in Kalamazoo. Besides teaching, I love to read, shop, exercise, craft, travel, and spend time with our two grown children, Sarah and Alex. I thank God every day for giving me the gift of St. Michael, where I can share the life-changing message of Jesus and His love, as I teach children every day.
Mrs. Dawn Heid
Fourth Grade
I have been married to my amazing husband, Ben for 27 years. We have three boys, one daughter in law and one grand-kitty. I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and have served families and kids for almost 30 years as a kids’ ministry leader, an elementary and preschool teacher and a preschool director.
I like to spend my free time hiking, “beaching”, reading, and volunteering and spectating at my kids’ events and activities.
I believe that every child is an unrepeatable, miracle of God. I am so excited to be on the Christ for Kids team and I look forward to spending time encouraging and sharing the love of Christ with you and your kids!
Mrs. Emily Lauterbach
Fifth Grade - STEM
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19a
I began my teaching career at St. Michael in 2010 following my graduation from Grand Valley State University. Where I earned a Bachelors in Science and my teaching certificate. I later went on to receive my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University, Portland. As well as my Lutheran Teacher Diploma. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work at St. Michael Lutheran School. I became a called teacher in 2018. I love the fact that I can combine my two passions in life; my faith in Jesus Christ and my love of teaching.
Mrs. Julie Prentice
Sixth Grade - STEM
"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."
— Psalm 143:10
I attended Western Michigan University and then Southeastern Oklahoma State University graduating with an Elementary Education Major along with a Minor in Language Arts.
I started my teaching career after my 2 children started school. I taught 4th grade for 2 years at Earl Frost Elementary School in San Jose, CA. I then relocated and taught at Rochester Central Lutheran School in Rochester, MN for 12 years. While there, I taught 2 years of 5th grade and 10 years of 3rd grade. I then moved back to my roots here in Kalamazoo and was blessed to be able to continue to work in a Lutheran school sharing God’s word. Working at St. Michael is such a blessing in my life.
I strive everyday to create an environment in my classroom conducive to the students growing spiritually, academically and socially.
Besides teaching, I enjoy spending time with family, hiking, reading, traveling, and training/showing dogs.
Mrs. Lisa Lam
Middle School
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
I was born and raised in Grand Haven, MI. I moved to Kalamazoo in 2001 and received my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University in 2004.
I began my career at St. Michael Lutheran in 2001 as a childcare worker. When I graduated in 2004, I directed the childcare and taught 3rd grade. In my time here I have taught grades 3-5, as well as teaching Spanish to grades K-5 and Algebra I.
Working at St. Michael is a tremendous blessing. Every day, in addition to teaching academics, I have the opportunity to share the message of God’s love and grace with my students. I enjoy helping my students learn new information, as well as teaching them good academic habits and social skills.
