Kendall Knafl (Preschool Teacher)
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Mrs. Knafl has been teaching Preschool 3’s since 2021, but has been substitute
teaching at St. John’s since 2015. Kendall graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree from
Concordia University River Forest in 2013. After college, she decided to stay at home with her
children before continuing her career.
Mrs. Knafl enjoys centering her teaching around the Christian faith because it gives the students
a solid foundation for all learning and growth that can be used throughout life.
Outside of school, she spends her time with her three children (Landon, Amelia, and Michaela)
and husband Aaron doing outdoor activities and spending time with extended family. Her
favorite hobby is traveling and seeing new places each time.
Mrs. Knafl is a native of the Chicagoland area, currently living in Berwyn, IL. She is also a
proud Veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 2006-2009.
Sue Cappa (Preschool Teacher)
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Mrs. Cappa attended Concordia University, River Forest, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in 1989. She began teaching four year-old preschool at St. John’s in 2007. In 2013 she received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
Mrs. Cappa became a Lutheran School Teacher to serve the Lord with the talents with which she has been blessed. Christian Education lets her share both her knowledge and her faith with others.
Outside of school she enjoys scrapbooking and crafting with friends. Mrs. Cappa also enjoys spending time with her husband Vince, and family night with her two sons and extended family.
Jamie Anderson (Kindergarten)
Mrs. Anderson grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana and moved to Texas during her early elementary years. She attended the University of North Texas and attained a degree in Biology. She has been working with children since 2013 as a tutor, substitute and Preschool teacher. She taught Freshman Biology at North Forney High school for a year and then taught Kindergarten at a charter school called KIPP Pleasant Grove. She moved to Illinois in 2017 and continued to teach as a Preschool teacher at Bright Horizon and Kensington School. She married her husband who is a Chicago native in 2019.
Holly Hackelberg (1st grade & Co-Principal)
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Mrs. Hackelberg has been teaching first grade at St. John’s since 1994. Mrs. Hackleberg earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concordia, Chicago (then River Forest) in 1982. She earned her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University in 1999.
She feels it is a privilege to teach at a school where the teachers are committed to excellence. It is very motivating to teach with such dedicated and supportive colleagues and they make her want to continue to improve. She has been blessed to teach at St. John’s and is thankful that God led her here.
Mrs. Hackelberg enjoys working with 6 and 7 year olds because, in spite of the routines, every day is different. Each child is a special gift from God and brings his or her unique personality to the class as a whole. She encourages her students to accept and care for each other.
Many influences led to her becoming a teacher in a Lutheran school. While attending a Lutheran school, she experienced the support of an extended Christian family. She knew that God was calling her to teach young children and he has affirmed that decision by blessing her with a love of teaching.
Mrs. Hackelberg makes her home in Woodridge. Her adult children, Kate and Paul, are proud graduates of St. John’s. She enjoys reading and quilting and shares both of her hobbies with her students in the classroom.
Julie Lunde (2nd & 3rd grade)
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Mrs. Lunde earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at the University of Iowa, and her masters degree in Language and Literacy at National Louis University. She completed her colloquy training at Concordia University in preparation to be a Called teacher in a Lutheran school. She is working on an endorsement as a learning behavior specialist.
Mrs. Lunde grew up in LaGrange and was involved in church youth activities, sports, and music. Later she spent almost ten years in Las Cruces, New Mexico, raising her family, and helping plant and grow a Lutheran elementary day school at Mission Lutheran Church.
She has a variety of teaching experiences with which God has blessed her. She taught one year as an instructional assistant in 5th grade at Prospect School in Clarendon Hills. She went on to teach 5th grade at Fourth Street/ Coultrap Elementary School in Geneva, Illinois, for four years, and 4th grade for two years. After taking time off to stay at home with her children, Mrs. Lunde returned to teaching at Mission Lutheran School in Las Cruces, New Mexico where she taught a combined 2nd-3rd grade class, and combined 2nd-3rd-4th grade class, part time. She has been blessed to be teaching 3rd grade at St. John’s since 2008!
Mrs. Lunde’s hobbies include anything active that involves her family, friends, or serving God by helping others through teaching in Vacation Bible School, participating in Bible study, packing meals at Feed My Starving Children, reading, traveling, going to Ravinia, running, swimming, and attending theater productions.
She loves teaching and sharing in the learning process, and especially enjoys taking classes and workshops to help her grow. As children of God, and it is a special privilege to be able to share our faith journey together, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, with the people God places in our lives. “For God knows the plans He has 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
Victoria Wykert (4th & 5th grade)
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Mrs. Wykert has been the fifth grade teacher since 2016. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education at Concordia University in River Forest with a science specialization in 1990. She taught third and fourth grade at Tabor Lutheran School in Chicago for one year. She then married her husband Thomas in 1991. Together they took a call to Christ Our Savior in Coppell, Texas where Mrs. Wykert taught first and second grade for 3 years. At that time, Mrs. Wykert stayed home to raise 3 children. She has been blessed with part time teaching of fifth grade and instructional aiding at St. John’s since 2010. In December of 2011, she completed a Masters Degree in Reading and Literacy through Benedictine University. All learning begins with reading and children are successful when this area is strengthened.
Mrs. Wykert loves to go for walks, especially with her husband Tom. Family time is important. Along with seeing their children in their various activities, the Wykert family loves the fellowship and growth that occurs in their church life. Rebecca, Peter, and Rachel are graduates of St. John’s who reap the benefits of a top notch religious institution that prepared them for the intellectual challenges of high school, college, and career.
Mrs. Wykert loves to give her time to helping students discover the world that God has given them and the plan He has for them. We are training children to use the strategies developed in school to help them make great discoveries in the world. Knowing how Jesus died for us, through the Holy Spirit we learn how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. What a blessing to be a small part of guiding the children toward Him, so that they can use their gifts to further His Kingdom.
Tom Wykert (6th grade)
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Mr. Wykert is the sixth grade home room teacher and has been teaching at St. John’s since 1995. In addition to teaching sixth grade religion and math, he teaches seventh grade math, pre algebra, and social studies and eighth grade algebra and social studies. He is also the athletic director.
As athletic director, he supervises all the sport seasons, coaches several, and hosts an invitational basketball tournament. He helps maintain and improve our technology at St. John’s by updating Renaissance Place, Sycamore, Google, and our website. He also assists our IT person whenever possible.
Mr. Wykert graduated from Concordia University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned his masters in education from St. Xavier University in 2002.
He lives in Lyons, Illinois with his wife, Vicki. He has three grown children Rebecca, Peter, and Rachel who are all graduates of St. John’s. He likes to take walks, ride bikes, read, and go on family vacations to national landmarks. His three special interests are the Chicago Cubs, Star Wars, and the I & M Canal.
Mr. Wykert has a great desire to share his faith with children and their families. He also enjoys using humor in his teaching because we need to learn to be able to laugh at ourselves and enjoy the world around us.
Elise Curelo (7th grade)
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Mrs. Curelo has been teaching at St. John’s since 2021. She is a lifelong resident of the Western Suburbs attending St. Paul Lutheran School in Brookfield. She would have played volleyball and basketball against Mrs. Mannes in our school gym during the 1980s.
Mrs. Curelo attended Concordia University in River Forest and Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. She has taught at Faith Lutheran Jr./Sr. High in Las Vegas, Nevada, St. Paul Brookfield, St. Andrew in Chicago, and Walther Christian Academy. She continues to serve our Lord through her involvements in church youth groups, Vacation Bible Schools, church choirs, and Altar Guilds.
Mrs. Curelo enjoys music, gardening, reading, singing, cooking, collecting magnets and ornaments from travel adventures, and visiting with friends and family. She has two children and lives in Brookfield; teenage daughter, Maria, attends Riverside-Brookfield High School, and son, James, is active in the U.S. Navy.
Mrs. Curelo is very thankful to be teaching again at a place where the Word of Christ is allowed to richly dwell in us and be taught/modeled for the children entrusted to our care.
Renee Hull (8th Grade & Co-Principal)
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Mrs. Hull has over 35 years of experience in Christian education. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in River Forest in 1982, with her concentrations in math and physical education. She began teaching at St. John’s in 2017.
Mrs. Hull has taught at a variety of grade levels, and has many experiences teaching in middle school. She is currently the middle school Science teacher. She has also been blessed to be part of school ministry teams using God’s gifts in areas such as an assistant principal, athletic director, department team leader, coach and director of various school operettas.
Her school year is filled with developing engaging lessons especially in the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to meet the needs of her students.
Her summers are filled with spending time with her family, enjoying her garden, reading, traveling to Michigan and spending time outdoors.
Mrs. Hull resides with her husband in Oak Forest. She has four grown children and five grandchildren.
Morgan Fukar (Physical Education)
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Miss Fukar is a recent graduate of Carroll University earning her Bachelor’s Degree in and Health Education. During her very successful student teaching experience at Pewaukee High School, Morgan designed instruction in both health and physical education to promote student academic, social, and physical growth using varied activities and teaching strategies. She also was the track coach for ASA Clarke Middle School where she planned and facilitated track practices for both running and field events.
AnnLaura Tapia (Assistant School Office Manager & Music)
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Mrs. Tapia studied for her Bachelor of Music, Harp Performance, at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the University of Toronto. She then completed her Performance Diploma at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. Mrs. Tapia has performed as a soloist as well as with many orchestras and chamber ensembles, including her flute and harp duo, Abellimento. She continues to perform, holds a position as an organist, and teaches private harp, piano, and organ lessons.
Mrs. Tapia teaches music classes to grades 1-8, and conducts our school handbell choir. She enjoys reading, knitting, and cooking.
Stephanie Johnson (Director of Admissions & Marketing & School Office Manager)
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Mrs. Johnson graduated from University of Illinois in 1998 earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Soon after graduation, she pursued a Sports Marketing career. She worked for the Chicago White Sox for 12 years before deciding to stay home with her three children, Ryder, Gavin and Avery.
Mrs. Johnson and her family became members of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in 2005. Since Ryder and Gavin currently attend St. John’s School, Mrs. Johnson was thrilled at the opportunity to become a part of the school’s staff where she could be more involved with the school and the daily activities of her children. She believes in Christian education and has enjoyed watching her children learn and grow at St. John’s.
Mrs. Johnson and her husband, Todd, reside in Chicago with their children. They are passionate about sports, fitness and nutrition. In her spare time, she is a Crossfit Coach where she enjoys helping others reach their fitness goals.
