Faculty and Staff
Download Teacher & Staff Favorites List 2024-25 (PDF)
Mrs. Phipps
I am excited to start my new position as the new part-time principal at St. John Lutheran School. Because the church and school were looking at reduced hours for the new principal, I am able to continue to wear my intervention spcialist hat part-time as well, a role I very strongly wanted to continue in.
A long time ago, I graduated from BGSU with a Bachelor of Science in Education. I was certified licensed in 2 areas: Elementary Education grades 1st–8th and Multiple Disabilities. A few years later, I took additional classes at the University of Toledo to add another area of certification, Orthopedic and other Health Handicaps to my toolbelt.
Over the years, I taught at the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities, with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center and the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Center. This is my 6th year of teaching at St. John Lutheran School as the Intervention Specialist, and my 20th year of teaching altogether.
My grandkids, Ashlynne and Quinton, are my pride and joy. I spent a lot of time hanging out with them, attending their sporting events and school activities as well as bringing them to church with me every week. They also spend a lot of time with me at my home because of their mothers third shift job. I love being with them.
Favorite Verse: Psalm 46:10
Mrs. Krystle Clark
Mrs. Nancy Kemper
ASP Clerk
Bio
Mrs. Kemper
I was the School Secretary at St. John Lutheran School for 34 years, retiring in 2016. I had also spent 12 years as the Art Teacher for grades 5th–8th. I now am working part-time as the Auxiliary Services person. My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “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 a hope and a future.” Could anything be better? I do what I can to further the work of St. John Lutheran School so all students will realize God’s plan and hope for their lives.
Kindergarten & 1st Grade Teacher
Bio
Mrs. Stottlemyer
Hi, I’m Mrs. Stottlemyer! I grew up in Milwaukee, WI where my parents blessed me with the opportunity to attend Lutheran schools from preschool thru high school. After attending Milwaukee Lutheran High School I went to Concordia University in Mequon where I majored in Early Childhood Education and minored in Adaptive Education. I taught preschool and kindergarten in Sheboygan, WI for two years before I moved to Ohio to marry my husband Josh. Six years after we were married we adopted a sweet little boy named Scribbles. Scribbles is our kitty and he makes us smile and laugh every day. Josh and I love going to the movies, eating delicious food, and of course, being with Scribbles.
Mission Statement: My mission as a teacher of young children is to help plant the seeds of faith in the hearts of my students so that they will be able to work and play with the love of the Lord. After the seeds are planted my job is to help nurture this new garden so that it grows in academics and love.
Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:26 - Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Mrs. Sarah Cavin
Preschool 4's Teacher
Bio
Mrs. Sarah Cavin
Mrs. Tami Rohlf
Preschool 3's Teacher
Tigers' Den Manager
Mrs. Rohlf
I have been employed by St. John Lutheran School for 19 years. I love working with the children and their families. I received my Associates of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development in 2013. I reside in Defiance with my husband Jeff and attend St. John Lutheran Church. We have four grown children who attended school here, from Preschool to 8th grade. It is a great place to send your children for a Christ–centered environment.
Mrs. Sonjah Bard
Ms. Robyn Erickson
Tiger’s Den Aide
Ms. Erickson
My name is Ms. Robyn. I’m a Teacher’s Aide in Ms. Rohlf’s M-W-F Class and also work in the Tiger’s Den Monday–Friday. I graduated with my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2017 and have been working with children since the early 2000’s.
I’m engaged and also have a 13-year-old daughter named Rylee, along with a house full of pets. I’m so happy to be a part of the St. John’s team to, not just help them prepare for kindergarten, but to help spread the word of God’s love to each and every child.
Mrs. Amber Sherry
Preschool 4's Aide
Tigers' Den Aide
Mrs. Sherry
I am a wife and mother of a daughter. I have been married for 11 years. It hasn’t always been easy, as we’ve been through a lot together. But then God truly saved us and changed us. I praise God that I am not where I used to be and am so blessed to be where I am today. I get to work with some pretty awesome people and also get to see, teach, and love on so many children by showing the love of Christ.
Mrs. Julia Rossow
Counselor
Mrs. Julia Rossow
As a Christian School Counselor, services I provide are spiritual in nature and based on God’s love and forgiveness. I work with students in many ways, especially in helping them learn coping strategies to managing their behavior, emotions, and academic concerns. Counseling provides a safe place to share in a loving Christian environment.
Personally, I love to crochet. Another love is music. I direct a bell choir, play in the bell choir, and sing in a choir. I love spending time with family and enjoying God’s wonderful creation.
Mrs. Kelley Phillips
Speech & Language Pathologist
Mrs. Kelley Phillips
I come to St. John Lutheran with more than 40 years of experience as a speech and language pathologist in the public–school setting. Over the past 40+ years, I’ve touched the lives of nearly 4,000 children. In 2016, after being on dialysis due to very rapid kidney failure, I received a life–saving kidney transplant from a wonderful living donor. I am ever thankful to her and to our Lord and Savior, for the amazing opportunity to regain better health and to be able to get back to the work I love.
I’m a life–long member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sherwood, where I am the children’s music director. I also “attempt” to play bells in our bell choir and am a transplanted soprano from the alto section in our church choir. My husband and I are the proud parents of four grown children, and six grandchildren. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, singing, and traveling; in fact, this past summer we traveled through ten states on our trip to Montana. I am thrilled to join the staff here and look forward to working with the wonderful children at St. John’s.
My favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10
Mrs. Kim Buchholz
Mr. Bill Phlipot
Custodian
Mr. Bill Philpot, Head Custodian
Hello. I am the Head Custodian at St. John Lutheran and have been with St. John for 16 years. The students are the best part of working here and are always happy to see me. They love calling me Mr. Bill.
Mr. Seth Peters
Custodian
Mr. Seth Peters, Custodian
I am originally from Bowling Green, Ohio. I’ve been living in Defiance for three years with my wife Ashley. We have one dog, Leia, and three cats, Duchess, Ziggy and Toxy. I am a big baseball and hockey fan. My favorite teams are the Detroit Tigers, Toledo Mud Hens, BGSU Falcons, Toledo Walleyes, and Detroit Red Wings.
If I’m not at work, you can find me at Planet Fitness working out or walking around town with Leia, trying to get her energy out. My favorite part of my job is seeing the kids in the morning and dismissal time when they say “Hi” or “Bye Mr. Seth”.
Mrs. Debbie Wagner
Church Ministries Coordinator
Mrs. Debbie Wagner
Hi, my name is Debbie Wagner. This year, I will be completing my 25th year of teaching at St. John. I have worked with children for over 35 years. I am a graduate of St. John Lutheran, Defiance High School, and The Defiance College. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Child Developmental & Educational Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. I have designed, implemented, and taught the Parents & 2’s classes. I have also taught 3’s, 4’s, and multi-age classes. Currently, I serve as the Early Childhood Director and I teach the 5-day four-year-old class in the morning.
My husband Mark and I have four grown children Nicole, Graham, Kane, and Adam all of who attended St. John Lutheran school. Our grandchildren, Harper, Bradley, and Tatum live In Mason, Ohio with our daughter and son-in-law Bryce Beilharz. Our son Graham and his wife Ashley live in Anderson (Cincinnati), and have two children Greer and Harris. My son Adam and his wife Kirsten call Fairview Park, Ohio their home and they have two children, Ezekial and Gabe. Our son Kane & his partner Blair, have two children Caroline and Henry. We will welcome their son, baby boy Brooks sometime this April.
I am passionate about Project Based Learning in the early childhood classroom, where children investigate, collaborate, and share topics of their interest. My personal mission statement is to prepare each child with 21st-century skills while learning about the free gift of grace that God provides them!
Miss Mabel Adams