Staff

Kathy began working at Hope Lutheran Preschool in January of 2000. Kathy has taught both at the 3 year old and 4 year old levels, Music and Movement and has led the Summer Preschool Program. Kathy is currently serving as the Director. Kathy has taken Early Childhood Education hours through  Johnson County Community College and attended  Kansas State University for two years. She is currently taking  coursework through KCCTO a division of Kansas State University as well as many other continuing education opportunities. She is CPR/First Aid certified. She was also employed part time with a Nanny/Sitter service. Kathy has done in home daycare, worked at childcare settings and was a full time nanny for several families prior to her time at Hope Lutheran Preschool.

She is a member of Hope Lutheran Church. She grew up in the Lutheran Faith attending Grace Lutheran School in KCK. She is married to her husband Joe. Together they have 3 grown children who all attended Hope Lutheran School from Preschool through 8th grade, all 3 of her children are married and she has 3 wonderful inlaws. She recently became a grandma and will have 7 grandchildren by the spring of 2026! Kathy has been involved with many activities over the years including PTL Officer, Book Fair Coordinator, Auction Worker, Youth Board, Sunday School Teacher, Pastor Search Committee and the Professional Church Worker’s Committee/Early Childhood. Kathy’s love has always been with children and it is her privilege and joy to work with them and to be able to share the love of Jesus with them every day!

Annette joined the Hope Lutheran Preschool Staff at the beginning of the 2021/2022 school year. Annette received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Kansas State University in 1995. She has worked with children ages infant through school age since 1990.

Annette has worked as a nanny to a former Hope Lutheran Preschool family since 2018 and has been a family nanny since 2013. Prior to that, Annette has been a Lead Teacher and a Director/ Assistant Director in a childcare setting, a peer trainer for other directors for the child care company, and has volunteered many years as a youth rec and competitive softball coach.She is also currently working in the Before and After Care Program at Hope Lutheran School.

Annette is married with three beautiful children. Her children attended Prince of Peace Catholic School when they were younger and are all currently working in their prospective fields. Annette enjoys working with children of all ages and is looking forward to sharing God’s graces with the children.

Karen joined the Hope Lutheran Preschool staff in August 2017. Prior to that, she worked in elementary education for 19 years. She was an elementary special education teacher for 12 years in the Kansas City, Kansas School District. She then worked in educational research/behavior interventions for both the KCK School District and Juniper Gardens Children’s Project for 5 years. In 2013, Karen returned to the special education classroom as a resource teacher for the Shawnee Mission District. Karen earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Emporia State University in 1995 and her Masters of Science in Special Education Behavioral Disorders from Kansas University in 2005. She is currently taking coursework through KCCTO (a division of Kansas State University) as well as many other continuing education opportunities. She is CPR/First Aid certified.

Karen is a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission, where she is an active member of Children’s Ministry and volunteers for additional ministries. Karen and her husband Tony have 2 boys, who both attended Hope Lutheran Preschool when they were younger. The boys are now launching into young adulthood and finding their independence through college and new careers. The whole family enjoys spending time outdoors and with their two dogs.

Karen has always loved being surrounded by children of all ages and is thrilled to be a part of the Hope Preschool staff, where she can share God’s love with students!

Rebecca joined the Hope Lutheran Preschool staff in August of 2019. Rebecca has worked with children ages infant-school age since 2005. Rebecca has taken classes in Early Childhood Education and has completed the CDA coursework through Rasmussen College. She is currently taking coursework through KCCTO a division of Kansas State University as well as many other continuing education opportunities. She is CPR/First Aid certified.

Rebecca worked as the kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant at Hope Lutheran School during the 2018-2019 school year. Prior to that, Rebecca has been a Lead teacher in a child care setting, led an afternoon preschool art program, taught school age art, volunteered in the nursery at Grace Children Fellowship as well as becoming the director of the Sunday School Preschool program at Grace.

Rebecca has three wonderful children who have attended Hope Lutheran School and Preschool and volunteers her time and efforts along with her husband at various school events. She and her family attend The Foundry Church.

Rebecca enjoys working with children in an environment that fosters a love of God.

Brenda joined the Hope Lutheran School family in fall of 2024 as a caregiver in the afterschool program. Part way through the school year, Brenda began helping the kindergarten classroom as a teacher’s assistant. Brenda is CPR and First Aid certified. Brenda has two granddaughters who are current students at Hope Lutheran School.

Brenda’s has an extensive background in healthcare and retired from full time work, as a Compliance Audit Manager, in July 2024. Brenda is the proud mother of an Air Force (daughter) veteran and Army (son) veteran and mother-in-law to an Active-Duty Navy Nurse. Brenda has two other grandchildren, both teenagers.

While Brenda’s education is very business and management focused, Brenda has worked with children, particularly preschool children, for years in the church setting. Brenda has been a Sunday School teacher, Children’s Church leader, and Children’s Choir director in a variety of churches throughout the country, during her husband’s 20-year career in the United States Air Force. Brenda and her family attend Westside Family Church in Lenexa.

Hannah joined the preschool staff in January of 2026. Hannah has two children who currently attend Hope Lutheran School.